by Stone River Law | Nov 20, 2023 | Criminal Defense
In a misdemeanor criminal case, the arraignment hearing is the first court hearing held. The judge will read the formal charges and ask the defendant to enter a plea of guilty or not guilty. The judge may also ask the defendant if an attorney has been hired, if a...
by Stone River Law | Nov 20, 2023 | Criminal Defense
There can be circumstances that simply make it impossible or impractical to be physically present at a scheduled criminal arraignment hearing. Health and distance are two common reasons, but there may be others as well. In misdemeanor cases, some Utah courts will...
by Stone River Law | Nov 20, 2023 | Utah Appellate Court Opinions
In State v. Ruiz, the Utah Court of Appeals addressed Fourth Amendment issues relating to the use of a drug detection canine (K9) to conduct a search of a vehicle during a traffic stop. The district court had denied the defense motion to suppress. The defendant...
by Stone River Law | Nov 20, 2023 | Criminal Defense
An offense of unlawful detention in Utah involves allegations that an individual has been held against their will, without the authority of law, for a brief time. Penalties Under Utah Law, unlawful detention is a class B misdemeanor; however, if the victim is injured...
by Stone River Law | Nov 20, 2023 | Criminal Defense
Pleading no contest means exactly that – you are not contesting the charges against you. Procedurally, this has the same effect as a guilty plea, but you are technically not admitting guilt to the charges. But a plea of either guilty or no contest will both...
by Stone River Law | Nov 20, 2023 | Criminal Defense
Understanding Your Rights The U.S. Constitution guarantees the presumption of innocence, meaning everyone is considered innocent until proven guilty. This is more than just a legal formality—it’s a fundamental right. The prosecution must prove you’re...
