Tag: Utah Appeals Case Opinions
-
Case Brief: State v. Stubbs, 2025 UT App 48
In State v. Stubbs, the Utah Court of Appeals addressed the legal standards and procedural requirements for modifying a pretrial detention order. The decision clarifies how courts must assess ongoing…
-
State v Lightel, 2025 UT App 40
Facts of the Case Lightel pled guilty to multiple counts of sexual exploitation of a minor based on his possession of child sex abuse material (CSAM or child pornography). An…
-
State v. Jennings, 2025 UT 1
Facts: Deon Jennings was charged with first-degree murder after stabbing Willie Houston twice in the back, resulting in Houston’s death. Jennings argued at a bail hearing that he should be…
-
State v. Jolley, 2025 UT 9
In a significant ruling on victim rights and evidentiary standards, the Utah Supreme Court held that alleged victims of sexual misconduct cannot be compelled to testify at a pretrial Rule…
-
Case Brief: State v. Cooke, 2025 UT 6
The Utah Supreme Court ruled that Monte Cooke can be prosecuted under a repealed criminal statute because Utah’s saving statute allows ongoing prosecutions to continue. The Court clarified that prior…
-
State v. Roybal, 2025 UT App 27
Facts: Roybal was convicted of attempted murder, aggravated kidnapping, aggravated assault, and possession of a dangerous weapon by a restricted person. The conviction stemmed from an altercation with his then-girlfriend,…
-
State v Smith, 2025 UT App 35 – Destroyed Evidence
Smith was convicted by a jury at trial on a felony charge of rape. He raised several issues on appeal, including multiple claims of ineffective assistance of counsel, and a…
-
State v Johnson, 2025 UT App 13
In Utah, when a criminal defendant requests a jury instruction for an affirmative defense, the court must give that instruction if evidence has been presented providing any reasonable basis for…
-
Case Brief: In Re K.M., 2025 UT App 17
Under Utah law (Utah Code § 80-3-409), when reunification services are provided, the court must determine whether the child can be safely returned to the parents
-
Case Brief: State v Flores, 2025 UT App 15
The prison mailbox rule is for cases where a document actually reaches the court directly through the prison mail system.
-
Case Brief: State v Taylor, 2025 UT App 14
Deference is usually given to trial judges but excusing a potential juror is a simple solution when there is concern of improper bias.
-
Case Brief: State v Schaefer, 2025 UT App 4
This appeal pertains to whether a suspect’s admission at a police station should have been suppressed due to being made during a custodial interrogation without Miranda warnings being followed. Facts…