Category: Criminal Defense
-
What Utah’s Supreme Court Says About Your Right to Speak at Sentencing
When someone faces sentencing in Utah, they have the right to speak directly to the judge—a right called allocution. It gives a person the chance to express remorse, explain circumstances,…
-
Enticing a Minor in Utah – What It Means and How the Law Works
Enticing a minor is a serious offense under Utah law, often arising from situations where no physical contact ever occurs. Instead, it begins with communication — a text, a DM,…
-
The Right to Represent Yourself – And What Can Go Wrong: Lessons from State v. Bridgewaters, 2025 UT App 160
In criminal court, every defendant has the right to a lawyer — but also the right to waive that lawyer and represent themselves. It’s a serious decision with serious consequences.…
-
Why Skilled Legal Representation Matters – Lessons from the Utah Court of Appeals
Everyone has the right to represent themselves in a criminal case. But two recent decisions from the Utah Court of Appeals — State v. Bridgewaters and State v. Horrocks —…
-
Utah Supreme Court Narrows Right to Appeal Pretrial Detention Decisions
October 31, 2025 – The Utah Supreme Court ruled in State v. Harris, 2025 UT 48, that criminal defendants do not have an automatic right to appeal the denial of…
-
Unlawful Adolescent Sexual Activity in Utah: What the Law Says About Teen Relationships
Utah’s laws on sexual activity between teenagers can be surprisingly complex — and the consequences can be serious. As of May 2025, a new provision under Utah Code §76-5-401.3 creates…
-
Unlawful Sexual Conduct with a 16- or 17-Year-Old in Utah
Many people are surprised to learn that in Utah, even 16- and 17-year-olds — who are above the age of consent in many states — are still legally protected from…
-
Sexual Abuse of a Minor in Utah
Sexual abuse of a minor is a serious offense under Utah law, and it’s often misunderstood. This charge doesn’t require full sexual intercourse. It covers a wide range of contact…
-
Unlawful Sexual Activity with a Minor (Ages 14–15) in Utah
In Utah, sexual activity involving a 14- or 15-year-old can lead to serious criminal charges — even when both individuals believe the relationship is consensual. These laws are designed to…
-
When ‘Yes’ Isn’t Enough: The Complicated Reality of Consent Under Utah Law
Consent is often portrayed as a simple, binary question: Did they say yes? In schools, in PSAs, in the shorthand of pop culture, consent has become a clear-cut concept —…
-
The Sex Problem
At what age can someone truly consent to sex — and when does the law say they can’t? This article breaks down how child sex laws try to answer that…
-
State v. Smith, 2025 UT 45
In a recent decision, the Utah Supreme Court made it clear: judges—not juries—must decide if criminal charges are too old to prosecute. The ruling in State v. Smith, 2025 UT…