Criminal Defense

How Our Criminal Defense Attorneys Fight For You

Free Consultation: We start by hearing your side of the story, at no cost to you. With the information you provide us, we can get right to putting together a legal defense and advising you on the next steps to take.

Knowledge of Criminal Law: Our attorneys are familiar with all kinds of criminal cases. We can fight charges against you by identifying missteps in prosecution and invoking defenses to prove your innocence.

Investigation and Review: With police reports, documented messages, witness testimony and any other relevant pieces of information, we’ll gather critical details to support your case and counter false allegations.

Experience in Court: When your case goes to trial, our experienced attorneys will be there and fully prepared to fight for you. We’ll also work to make sure it’s a fair trial, calling for motions and weighing in on jury selection.

Plea Bargains and Appeals: If necessary, we can negotiate for a less punitive sentence or submit an appeal challenging the validity of your trial’s ruling.

We Work to Defend You and Your Livelihood

An accusation of a crime is more than trouble with the law; there are burdens one may have to bear simply for being charged or convicted.

The attorneys at Nelson Jones don’t take this lightly. When we take on your case we’re not only committing ourselves to your legal defense. We’re also working toward minimizing the impact of collateral consequences on your life.

Minimizing Collateral Consequences

A collateral consequence is any lasting result of a criminal case that is not the charge or conviction itself. These can be legally mandated or occur as a natural result of having criminal status, and in any case are disruptive to one’s lifestyle and means of income.

• Stress and emotional turmoil
• Incarceration
• Fines and fees
• Probation and parole
• Suspended or revoked driver’s license

Fighting Criminal Records

An especially negative collateral consequence is a criminal record being attached to your name. This is a public record of conviction by a Utah court for committing a crime, visible to anyone who would perform a background check.

There are a number of ways having a criminal record can complicate someone’s life, such as:

• Loss of and difficulty finding work
• Loss of professional licenses
• Difficulty securing housing
• Difficulty applying for higher education

As criminal defense lawyers, our top priority is preventing criminal records from being established. They can also be expunged given certain conditions, like a waiting period for specific crimes and those mentioned in Utah’s “Clean Slate” law. We will persistently explore every avenue to prevent or eliminate a criminal record if and when possible.

Challenging Convictions

We invest our time and energy into challenging criminal charges before they turn into convictions, undermining any claims made against you and arguing for a case dismissal.

Even if a conviction is certain, we can leverage our expertise as criminal defense lawyers to negotiate with prosecutors. We can reduce charges and the severity of punishment. We can also note issues with legal proceedings and use them to write up an appeal of the conviction.

FAQs

Can an attorney get criminal charges dropped?

Yes, attorneys can make a case with the court for dropping criminal charges, provided the prosecutor has insufficient evidence, there are legal problems with the charge, or they can negotiate a plea bargain.

Will pending criminal charges show up in a background check in Utah?

Yes, even criminal charges without a conviction can appear on a background check in the state of Utah.

How long do criminal records last in Utah?

A criminal record in Utah is considered indefinite until it is expunged, which often involves negotiation with the court such as a plea bargain or an appeal. A record can be cleared when meeting certain conditions under the Clean Slate law or depending on the specific crime and level of offense.

How can I look up a criminal record in Utah?

You can make a request through the Utah Department of Public Safety's BCI website, visiting the BCI office in person or by mail.

How can I get a police report for a crime in Utah?

In most cases a GRAMA request would have to be submitted, with a valid photo ID and fee, at the police department or agency most relevant to your charge. Depending on your location, an online service for sending a GRAMA request may be available with some limitations.

How long do I have to appeal a criminal conviction in Utah?

A 'Notice of Appeal' must be submitted within 30 days of the court's final judgment of a case.

What is required to appeal a criminal conviction?

The Notice of Appeal must detail who is filing the appeal and for which court's order. After that, an attorney will need to make the case to the appellate court that the trial in question was conducted in error.

Could I be charged with a crime in a civil case?

It's possible, if in the legal proceedings of the civil case it is argued that a crime was committed. The civil and criminal cases would be tried separately.

Is a DUI a criminal charge in Utah?

Yes, a DUI would be considered a misdemeanor or felony charge, and a conviction would appear on a criminal record.

Do tickets for traffic violations, like speeding, count as criminal charges in Utah?

No, traffic tickets are given for infractions, which are not considered criminal charges. Serious traffic violations, like DUIs, reckless driving, etc. are grounds for a criminal charge.

Contact Nelson Jones for a Free Consultation and Protect Your Rights

If you or a loved one face criminal charges and need help, Nelson Jones is here to for you. Our team of experienced criminal defense attorneys are ready to support and defend you through this difficult time. Call us by phone or submit a form to learn more about how we can protect your rights and safeguard your future.

Schedule a free consultation to discuss your needs further.
Call 385-275-6812 or fill out our online form below to get started.