Category: Criminal Defense
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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…
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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,…