Author: Stone River Law
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Cedar City v. McCraw (2025 UT App 123)
The Utah Appeals Court has recently released an opinion vacating Criminal Mischief and Domestic Violence convictions for Jennifer McCraw based on claims of Ineffective Counsel. McCraw has been granted a…
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State v. McDonald (2025 UT App 127)
The Utah Court of Appeals has thrown out an aggravated assault conviction after finding that the defense attorney gave jurors the wrong definition of the word “likely.” This mistake confused…
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Red-Collar Crime: When White-Collar Criminals Turn Violent
“Violence can only be concealed by a lie, and the lie can only be maintained by violence.” — Aleksandr Solzhenitsyn
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Blue-Collar Crime: Direct and Detectable
“It’s about your breaking point. Everyone has one. You can be pushed so far before you break before you react and lash out.” — John Macken
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Sex Offenses in Our Culture: Why You Need an Experienced Defense Lawyer
Sex offenses occupy a unique—and often misunderstood—place in our culture. While society views all crimes seriously, the reaction to sex crimes is often more emotional, more visceral, and more unforgiving…
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Understanding Child Abuse Allegations in Utah: DCFS Involvement, Custody Implications, and False Claims
Facing child abuse charges in Utah is life-altering. Beyond the possibility of criminal penalties, these cases often involve the Utah Division of Child and Family Services (DCFS), which can affect…
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Sex Offenses Today
Sex offenses have a unique place in our culture because it makes people uncomfortable. If you are accused of a sex crime you need a lawyer that has gotten over…
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Utah Death Penalty Cases: How the Process Works
Utah law reserves the death penalty for the most serious crimes. Recently, prosecutors filed notice of intent to seek the death penalty in a high-profile case of Tyler Robinson. While…
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Who Can Defend a Death Penalty Case in Utah?
Utah’s death penalty cases are rare, but when they do happen, the rules for who can defend them are strict. A capital case is unlike any other criminal case —…
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How to Use and Maintain Your Estate Plan in Utah
An estate plan is one of the most important tools you can create to protect your loved ones and ensure your wishes are carried out. But a plan only works…
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Aggravated Murder in Utah: What the Robinson Case Reveals About Utah State Law
Utah prosecutors have charged Tyler Robinson with aggravated murder in connection with the fatal shooting of Charlie Kirk at Utah Valley University. Investigators say Robinson planned the attack in advance,…
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Belnap v. Howard, 2019 UT 9
Only when the court finds ambiguity in a statute’s plain language, should the court look to legislative history and policy considerations in interpreting the statute.