Category: Criminal Defense
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Expungements and Reductions on the Cheap?
Good results aren’t cheap, and cheap results aren’t always good. Here’s what that means for your expungement.
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When “Free-Range Parenting” Meets Utah’s New Child-Torture Law
In 2018, Utah became the first state in the country to formally embrace “free-range parenting.” Lawmakers said parents should be able to let their children walk to school, play outside,…
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The Complete Guide to Utah’s Child Torture Law
Utah’s new child-torture law is one of the most powerful and punitive criminal statutes in the state. It reshaped the way prosecutors charge child-injury cases and created a new category…
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Utah’s New Child Torture Law
In 2025, Utah created a new criminal offense called child torture under Utah Code 76-5-109.4. The law targets the most extreme abuse cases involving cruelty, prolonged harm, or a pattern…
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Faith in the Attorney-Client Relationship
A few years ago, an old friend from junior high reached out after more than twenty-five years. When I told him I was a criminal defense attorney, he said, “That’s…
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Criminal Appeals in Utah, 101
If you are unhappy with the outcome of your criminal case, you might consider appealing it to a higher court. Appeals can be costly and slow, so it helps to…
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Object Rape – Understanding Utah Law, Utah Code §76-5-402.2
Utah Code §76‑5-402.2 outlines the laws regarding “object rape”. Here’s a clear overview of what “object rape” means and potential legal consequences:
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How Much is a Clean Criminal Record Worth?
Utah believes in second chances. The state offers several paths to clean up a criminal record, including pardons, expungements, 402 reductions, and other opportunities for a fresh start.
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State v. Bell Resets the Standard for Theft-of-Rental-Vehicle Prosecutions
In State v. Bell, 2025 UT App 169, the Utah Court of Appeals issued a significant decision that reshapes how prosecutors must approach theft-of-rental-vehicle cases. The court vacated Randi Lou…
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Lewdness in Utah
Lewdness is one of Utah’s broadest and most frequently charged sexual offenses. It covers a range of behaviors that the law considers sexually offensive, indecent, or inappropriate in public or…
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Understanding Sexual Battery in Utah
Sexual battery is one of Utah’s more commonly charged sex-related offenses — and also one of the most misunderstood. People often assume that sexual battery involves violence or coercion, but…
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Can You Raise a Statute of Limitations Violation on Appeal in Utah?
Can a defendant raise a statute of limitations (SOL) violation on appeal? The short answer is yes — but generally only if the issue was timely raised in the trial…