Category: Criminal Defense
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Why Pretrial Litigation Matters: Shaping the Battlespace
Most criminal cases don’t end in a trial. They’re resolved through plea deals that reflect the strength and weaknesses of the case for each party – defense and prosecution. But…
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Utah Supreme Court Narrows Human Trafficking Law in State v. Andrus
May 2025 – The Utah Supreme Court just made it harder to convict someone of child trafficking without solid proof of a transaction. In State v. Andrus, the court threw…
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Criminal Defense, Done Right: Expertise at Every Stage of the Case
For most people, the justice system is a blur of police reports, court dates, and unfamiliar terms. It moves fast when you least expect it, and slows to a crawl…
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Types of Court Hearings in Utah Criminal Cases
Navigating the criminal justice system in Utah can be overwhelming, especially if you’re unfamiliar with the various types of court hearings involved. Each hearing serves a specific purpose in the…
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Garner v. Kadince, 2025 UT App 80: Utah Lawyers Sanctioned for Citing AI Hallucinations
In a recent ruling, the Utah Court of Appeals sanctioned attorneys for submitting a legal brief containing fabricated case citations generated by artificial intelligence. This incident, involving the case Garner…
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Carter v. State, 2025 UT 13
The Utah Supreme Court has unanimously affirmed a district court’s decision to vacate the conviction and death sentence of Douglas Stewart Carter, citing egregious misconduct by police and prosecutors that…
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State v. Burton, 800 P.2d 817 (Utah Ct. App. 1990)
In State v. Burton, 800 P.2d 817 (Utah Ct. App. 1990), the Utah Court of Appeals addressed a rare attempt to stretch criminal theft law into the realm of private…
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Facing Criminal Charges in Utah? Here’s How to Manage the Cost of Fines and Fees
Being accused of a crime doesn’t always mean jail time—especially in Utah. Most people charged with offenses like DUI, assault, or shoplifting are dealing with misdemeanors, not felonies. That means…
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Case Brief: State v. Lucke, 2025 UT App 49
In State v. Lucke, 2025 UT App 49, the Utah Court of Appeals overturned a stalking conviction after finding the trial court failed to ensure the defendant knowingly and intelligently…
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State v Brown, 2025 UT App 52
Facts of the Case Brown shot and killed David after an argument led to David ramming the back of Brown’s vehicle. Earlier Brown had tried to drive away from David,…
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State v Jones, 2025 UT App 56
Facts of the Case Jones was convicted at trial on three counts of assault against a peace officer. While police conducted a roadside DUI investigation, Jones drove by at a…
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Case Brief: State v Austin, 2025 UT App 51
This case involves an internet sting operation conducted by an undercover police officer posing as someone offering a minor for sex with adults. The Court of Appeals reviewed whether Austin…