Category: Utah Appellate Decisions
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State v Buranek, 2025 UT App 92
This appeal involved a question of whether a trial court improperly denied a defendant’s motion for a directed verdict, claiming he had been entrapped by an undercover police officer. Facts…
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State v. Christensen, 2025 UT App 86
A Motion to sever is granted when it is believed that different defendants or charges need to be tried separately. In the recent Utah Court of Appeals Case, State v.…
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State v. Burton, 800 P.2d 817 (Utah Ct. App. 1990)
In State v. Burton, 800 P.2d 817 (Utah Ct. App. 1990), the Utah Court of Appeals addressed a rare attempt to stretch criminal theft law into the realm of private…
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Case Brief: State v. Lucke, 2025 UT App 49
In State v. Lucke, 2025 UT App 49, the Utah Court of Appeals overturned a stalking conviction after finding the trial court failed to ensure the defendant knowingly and intelligently…
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State v Brown, 2025 UT App 52
Facts of the Case Brown shot and killed David after an argument led to David ramming the back of Brown’s vehicle. Earlier Brown had tried to drive away from David,…
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State v Jones, 2025 UT App 56
Facts of the Case Jones was convicted at trial on three counts of assault against a peace officer. While police conducted a roadside DUI investigation, Jones drove by at a…
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Case Brief: State v Austin, 2025 UT App 51
This case involves an internet sting operation conducted by an undercover police officer posing as someone offering a minor for sex with adults. The Court of Appeals reviewed whether Austin…
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Case Review: In Re: E.M. (2025 UT 8)
In State of Utah in the Interest of E.M., 2025 UT 8, the Utah Supreme Court upheld a juvenile court’s decision to transfer a 15-year-old to district court for prosecution…
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Case Brief: State v. Stubbs, 2025 UT App 48
In State v. Stubbs, the Utah Court of Appeals addressed the legal standards and procedural requirements for modifying a pretrial detention order. The decision clarifies how courts must assess ongoing…
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State v Lightel, 2025 UT App 40
Facts of the Case Lightel pled guilty to multiple counts of sexual exploitation of a minor based on his possession of child sex abuse material (CSAM or child pornography). An…
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State v. Jennings, 2025 UT 1
Facts: Deon Jennings was charged with first-degree murder after stabbing Willie Houston twice in the back, resulting in Houston’s death. Jennings argued at a bail hearing that he should be…
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State v. Jolley, 2025 UT 9
In a significant ruling on victim rights and evidentiary standards, the Utah Supreme Court held that alleged victims of sexual misconduct cannot be compelled to testify at a pretrial Rule…