by Megan Fowles | Nov 3, 2025 | Criminal Defense
It’s not just about what was said. It’s about the circumstances. The power dynamics. The mental state. The age. The setting. The silence. The pressure. The law doesn’t only ask, “Did this person agree?” It asks, “Could they agree?” and “Was that agreement real, or was...
by Bradley Henderson | Nov 3, 2025 | Criminal Defense
The Problem At a party, I heard someone call a famous musician a pedophile because he dated a 17-year-old. I laughed and said, “No, he’s an ephebophile.” If you’ve never heard that word, you’re not alone—it refers to people attracted to teens, typically aged 15 to 19....
by Megan Fowles | Oct 31, 2025 | Criminal Defense, Utah Appellate Court Opinions
What Happened in State v. Smith? Jamison Smith was charged in 2022 with 33 counts of felony sexual abuse. Two of those charges involved his sister, C.R., who said Smith abused her between 1988 and 1990. Smith asked the court to dismiss those two charges, arguing they...
by Megan Fowles | Oct 31, 2025 | Criminal Defense
This guide is here to explain Utah’s sexual offense laws. It explains how the law categorizes these crimes, outlines the associated penalties, and describes the progression of cases through the system. We also give you the full picture: not just the high-profile...
by Megan Fowles | Oct 31, 2025 | Criminal Defense
Here’s why these laws are so layered — and what kind of criminal charges they can lead to, depending on the situation. Age Matters — A Lot In Utah, the age of the people involved is a legal game-changer. A sexual act might be fully legal between two adults, but a...
by Megan Fowles | Oct 28, 2025 | Criminal Defense, Expungements
Identity Gets Lost in the System Once someone is charged, the system gives them a label: defendant, offender, convict. These words are supposed to be neutral. In reality, they reduce people to one moment in their lives — often the worst one. The system stops asking...
