Kane County Utah Criminal Defense Lawyer | Kanab DUI Attorney

November 14th, 2012 by | Comments Off on Kane County Utah Criminal Defense Lawyer | Kanab DUI Attorney

If you are looking for a Kane County Utah Criminal Defense Lawyer, you found the right law firm. We represent clients charged in all types of matters throughout Kane County including the toughest drug offenses to the more common charges such as DUI, marijuana possession, and domestic violence. Kane County is a beautiful place in the south eastern part of the state. With many great outdoor getaways and having Lake Powell and other hot spots so close, Kane County attracts tourists from Utah and other western states who sometimes find themselves facing tough charges. The courts in Kane County, both the district courts and the justice courts can be tough on individuals who find themselves in the criminal justice system. Anyone facing felony or misdemeanor charges in Kanab or anywhere else in the area should speak with a Utah Defense Attorney before accepting any deals or going to court at all. Our Southern Utah Law Firm located in St. George, just a short drive away from Kanab, represents individuals all throughout the southern end of the state. We understand the court system in Kane County and have experience in the local courts. We can take your defense.

Kanab DUI Attorney

A Kanab DUI Attorney at our law office can answer your questions and take your defense when faced with a first, second, or even felony DUI charge. We don’t simply roll over on DUI charges. We understand there is a lot at stake for you in this type of case including the possible suspension of your driver’s license. Kanab is not a fun place to face a DUI or any other alcohol related charge for that matter, so do not take any chances by representing yourself. Before moving forward in your case, call and at least get a free consultation from one of our lawyers today. Call now at 435-215-1101.

Discovery Motions and Obtaining Evidence

October 11th, 2012 by | Comments Off on Discovery Motions and Obtaining Evidence

Most people who have been charged with a crime, generally realize they have the right to obtain the evidence against them and also the right to confront any witnesses against them. However, many who choose to represent themselves never even see the evidence against them because they do not understand the proper way to request the evidence and how to investigate and prepare their case. Anyone who is representing themselves in criminal charges should at a minimum obtain all the evidence on the case before ever agreeing to a plea bargain. This is the only way to know whether or not the evidence actually supports the charge with which you are being accused. The proper method for obtaining your evidence from the prosecutor is to file a Motion for Discovery. Rule 16 of the Utah Rules of Criminal Procedure states in part as follows with regard to the prosecutor’s duty in every case regarding discovery:

(a) Except as otherwise provided, the prosecutor shall disclose to the defense upon request the following material or information of which he has knowledge:

(1) relevant written or recorded statements of the defendant or codefendants;

(2) the criminal record of the defendant;

(3) physical evidence seized from the defendant or codefendant;

(4) evidence known to the prosecutor that tends to negate the guilt of the accused, mitigate the guilt of the defendant, or mitigate the degree of the offense for reduced punishment; and

(5) any other item of evidence which the court determines on good cause shown should be made available to the defendant in order for the defendant to adequately prepare his defense.

As you can see from the above referenced rule, the prosecutor is basically required to provide you with a copy of any evidence they intend to introduce at trial. What is more is that under the same Rule 16 you are actually entitled to review the evidence before you are even required to plead.

St. George Criminal Defense Lawyer

If you have been charged with a crime in Southern Utah and have questions about the evidence in your case or discovery motions, you should call and speak with a St. George Criminal Defense Lawyer at our firm today. We can answer your questions and review your case. If you choose to hire us we will fight hard in your defense and help ensure your discovery rights and all other rights are protected in the process.

Washington County Utah Criminal Defense Attorney | St. George Law Firm

October 5th, 2012 by | Comments Off on Washington County Utah Criminal Defense Attorney | St. George Law Firm

There are many criminal cases filed every year in Washington County, Utah, both in the state and federal courts. Even though the county is home to only about 150,000 residents, there are many tourists who stay or pass through because of the many state and national parks located in and around the county including Zion National Park. As a result, we see many out of staters being charged with things crimes such as marijuana possession, DUI, public intoxication, etc. If you or someone you know has been charged wtih a crime in St. George or the surrounding areas, we can help. Call and speak to a Washington County Utah Criminal Defense Attorney today at our local office to get help. If you are an out of state resident, there is a good chance, depending on what you have been charged with, that you will not even have to come back for court if you hire an attorney. We understand that it may be nearly impossible for you to travel back to Utah for court hearings so we can request a waiver of your appearance and appear on your behalf in many cases.

St. George Law Firm

Our attorneys in our local St. George Law Firm represent clients charged in all types of crimes in any part of Southern Utah. From Cedar City and St. George, to Moab and Kanab, we can take on your defense and help ensure you are protected in the system. Our main Southern Utah office is located in the heart of St. George.

Office or Phone Consultations

We provide free consultations either by phone or in our office. At a minimum, anyone charged with a crime should consult with a Utah Criminal Defense Attorney before they make a decision on how to proceed in their defense. We try to make the process run as smooth as possible and offer payment plans in some cases to help ensure you can afford to have a great defense. Do not hesitate to call and speak with an attorney from our office now.

Marijuana Charges in Zion National Park

July 8th, 2012 by | Comments Off on Marijuana Charges in Zion National Park

Zion National Park is one of the must see attractions in Southern Utah and many tourists visit this beautiful place each year. Unfortunately for some, many of those same tourists are charged with marijuana possession by federal park rangers. The local park rangers who wander the camps each night write many marijuana citations each year. If you are charged for smoking pot in the park, you will most likely be facing a federal charge. Federal drug charges carry potentially severe penalties so it is very important you speak with a criminal defense attorney in Southern Utah who is familiar with the federal court process. Many criminal defense attorneys in Utah do not even practice in the federal courts so it is important you make sure to find an attorney that is experienced in these specific types of cases. If you are facing marijuana charges in Zion National Park, we have a team of experienced criminal defense lawyers up to the task.

Federal Penalties for Marijuana Charges

The federal penalties for marijuana charges may vary depending on your specific charges. However, generally speaking, if you are charged and it is your first federal offense, and it was only a small personal amount of marijuana, you may be eligible for a federal diversion program in which you are placed on probation and expected to perform certain probationary measures as opposed to serving jail time. Often you will be required to provide monthly urine testing results showing that you are not using marijuana. Many clients are concerned with the monthly testing requirements because they may have a valid medical marijuana license in another state and use marijuana as medicine for a certain condition. However, the federal courts and the United States District Attorneys do not recognize state’s medical marijuana licenses as being valid for federal purposes.

St. George Marijuana Attorney

For more information, speak with a St. George marijuana attorney in our office today. We have helped numerous individuals who were charged in Zion National Park, and other surrounding parks, with marijuana possession and paraphernalia. We will take your defense on these federal charges and ensure your rights are protected in the process.

Synthetic Marijuana and Designer Drug Charges in St. George Utah

June 20th, 2012 by | Comments Off on Synthetic Marijuana and Designer Drug Charges in St. George Utah

Over the past several months in St. George and throughout Southern Utah, there has been an increase in spice and bath salt charges. So much so, the Utah state crime lab has been inundated with spice testing from law enforcement all over the state. Synthetic marijuana and other designer drugs have only been made illegal in the past couple years but many people are unknowingly breaking the law by using certain products such as K2 and similar substances. Many people using spice and other products may not realize the Utah State Legislature passed laws prohibiting the possession and use of these drugs and has been adding new chemicals to the state substance abuse list each year. A common chemical for spice has been JWH-018. This was made illegal as well as other similar chemicals like RCS-4 etc. If you are found in possession of designer drugs with these and similar products, you could be facing a tough charge with difficult penalties. The good news is you do not have to go through this alone. Our team of St. George criminal defense lawyers is here to help.

Drug Analogs and the Law

A drug analog refers to a chemical compound which is structurally similar to that of a controlled substance. The law in Utah currently states that drug analogs are also illegal. This is where a lot of people get into trouble. Many spice and bath salt producers are constantly turning to new chemicals as a way of circumventing the controlled substance list. However, if a new chemical is similar to that on the controlled list, you could still be in violation of the law and in possession of illegal substances. If you find yourself in this predicament and are facing drug analog charges, you should speak with an attorney in our office as soon as possible to get started on your defense. Don’t trust a seller of a product who claims to be selling only legal substances, they may not even know for sure if what they have meets the analog test.

Southern Utah Defense Firm

By calling our Southern Utah Defense Firm, you can speak immediately with an attorney about your spice or other drug case. We understand the complex law in this field and have a great deal of experience representing clients in these types of drug cases in St. George, Cedar City, and other parts of the lower half of the state. Call us anytime 24/7 at 435.215.1101. We look forward to your call and will work hard on your behalf to ensure you get a fair shake in the process.

Suppression of Evidence

June 15th, 2012 by | Comments Off on Suppression of Evidence

A lot of people in America know that they have constitutional rights but other than knowing that they have freedom of speech and freedom of religion they aren’t quite sure what the constitution does for them. One of the important aspects of the Bill of Rights in the Constitution is the protection against unlawful search and seizure. What this means in effect is that police officers have to follow certain rules when investigating crimes, or detaining and arresting individuals. For example an officer must have reasonable suspicion of criminal activity to make a traffic stop, or other similar detentions, and to make an arrest an officer must have the requisite probable cause. Knowing your constitutional rights will help you know what you have to do and what you can refuse to do in regards to a police investigation.

The Constitution and Your Defense

Where these constitutional protections come into play for criminal charges is in the motion to suppress evidence. If the officers did not follow the rules when conducting the investigation, detention, and arrest then the court can throw out any evidence obtained through those illegal means. In most cases if this evidence is suppressed the prosecution is left with no case and the charges are dismissed. Motion to Suppress are normally filled with complicated and difficult arguments and because of that it can be very helpful to have an attorney to help you defend yourself and your constitutional rights.

St. George Criminal Defense Attorney – Motion to Suppress

If you are facing criminal charges and you believe that your constitutional rights may have been violated or that the police officers did not follow all the rules in your case then call St George Criminal Defense Lawyer today. Our attorneys have made many suppression arguments and know how to help you get the best outcome available. We offer free consultations and can help you understand the legal system and your likely outcomes, so call or email us today to set up an appointment.

Drinking and Driving Charges in Southern Utah | Summer Time DUIs

May 28th, 2012 by | Comments Off on Drinking and Driving Charges in Southern Utah | Summer Time DUIs

Summer time is hot in St. George and Southern Utah and there is no shortage of fun to be had across the great southern portion of the state. Many people from all over Utah and the rest of the country in general come to take part in the awesome national parks like Zion and Bryce Canyon, not to mention Moab and Coral Reef. With all of the summer time fun brings an increase in charges related to a little too much partying. Now we are not saying don’t go out and have a good time, but we are cautioning you to be safe and let us know if you find yourself in trouble with the law. With the summer months comes an increase in cases we see involving alcohol related crimes and drug cases. As you can imagine, summer holidays like Memorial Day and the Fourth of July often lead to more DUIs including DUI metabolites and more pot charges in Utah. The number of federal cases also increases with the opening of the national parks and other federal land areas like Escalante. What’s is more is the Southern Utah mountains have become a hotbed for marijuana farms and like last year, this often leads to large busts by the federal authorities. No matter the scale of the charge or whether or not it is your first charge, or fifth, you need a lawyer to give you the best possible chance of a fair reasonable resolution.

Southern Utah Criminal Defense Attorneys

Whether it is a federal charge by a park ranger in Zion for marijuana possession or you were pulled over by a Cedar City police officer for DUI, we can help. Our team of local Southern Utah criminal defense attorneys is here to help no matter what the charge or how bad you think your case may be. We have represented individuals charged with all types of related crimes including marijuana, DUI, spice, etc. Get back to having safe and legal summer fun, let us worry about the case and get it resolved as soon as possible for you with the best possible outcome. Call our law firm in St. George today, anytime at 435.215.1101. We look forward to helping you.

Cedar City Criminal Defense Attorney | Utah Law Firm

May 16th, 2012 by | Comments Off on Cedar City Criminal Defense Attorney | Utah Law Firm

If you are searching for a Cedar City criminal defense attorney, you found the right Utah law firm. We have attorneys located in Southern Utah who are familiar with the Justice and District Courts in Iron County and Washington County. The legal system across Utah for all intents and purposes is similar in all counties. However, it helps to have a lawyer, when you have been charged with a DUI, possession, felony, or any other type of criminal case, who understands the local courts and knows what it takes to be effective in the system. We can help.

Iron County Justice Court

The Iron County Justice Court is the venue in which all lower level charges are prosecuted. This includes all infractions and Class C and B misdemeanors. Typical charges that are brought in this court are things like marijuana possession, DUI, assault, and retail theft. If you have been charged with one of these or a similar offense, call our law firm today to get started on your defense.

Fifth Judicial District Court – Cedar City

The Fifth Judicial District Court is the higher court where all higher level offenses are prosecuted. This includes all Class A misdemeanors and felony cases. The offenses which generally fall in the district court are things such as aggravated assault, felony DUI, drug distribution charges, and prescription fraud cases. When charged with a felony, it is important to have representation familiar with the district court in Cedar City. The penalties for these types of charges are potentially much greater and jail or prison time is often a strong possibility. As such, these cases should be taken very seriously and handles by a Cedar City criminal defense lawyer who knows how to win a jury.

Law Office in Southern Utah

We have a law office in Southern Utah, we know the area, we know what it takes to win in these often tough settings. For more information, or to speak with one of our Southern Utah attorneys today, call anytime at 435.215.1101. We look forward to your call.

Traffic Stops and Subsequent Charges

March 9th, 2012 by | Comments Off on Traffic Stops and Subsequent Charges

As criminal defense attorneys a lot of the cases we deal with all began with the same occurrence, a traffic stop. Some times these stops are initiated because a person is clearly driving impaired and needs to be stopped, other times the stop was due to a minor infraction or maybe there was no offense at all in reality but the stop ends up being much more serious because of how the investigation went. The one thing we tell our clients most often is don’t talk to the police, and this doesn’t mean we are trying to thwart justice or deceive law enforcement we just realize the trouble that people get themselves into because they are trying to explain themselves or talk their way out of a situation.

The Stop

When a police officer makes a stop they must have a reason, they must have either witnessed a violation or have reason to believe a violation has occurred. Once they have initiated the stop they can only detain a person as long as it takes to investigate that violation unless they have some reason to have a reasonable suspicion to extend the scope of the stop. Going along with this one of the common misconceptions people have is that they must let an officer search their car, which is not true, and refusing to let an officer search your car cannot produce reasonable suspicion allowing them to extend the stop.

St. George Criminal Defense Attorney

It is important that you understand your rights and understand the liberty that living in this country affords you. Without a knowledge of your rights it is easy to allow law enforcement officers to ignore those rights and infringe on them. If you have been charged with a crime as a result as traffic stop, or any other circumstance and you are looking for a criminal defense attorney in St. George then call St George Criminal Defense Lawyer today.

Drug Defense Attorneys in Southern Utah

February 15th, 2012 by | Comments Off on Drug Defense Attorneys in Southern Utah

At our office you will find a team of drug defense attorneys in Southern Utah. We represent individuals all over state including the southern areas from Beaver and Cedar City to Kanab, Hurricane, and St. George. We understand the drug laws in Utah and can help you get the best chance of resolving your case in a manner where you can move on in the best possible way. Whether you have been charged with marijuana possession charges in Utah, or something more serious like felony drug distribution, we can help. Our Southern Utah office is located in St. George. We even travel to Moab, Monticello, Richfield, and other eastern parts of the state.

Utah Drug Laws

The Utah drug laws are harsh. Many people don’t realize they can lose their drivers license for even a simple drug case like marijuana paraphernalia charges in Southern Utah. Utah, unlike some other western states such as California and Colorado, treat marijuana charges in a tough manner. While other states have brought these charges down to mere infractions, Utah continues to throw the book and drug users. It can get even worse when you start talking about heroine, meth, or cocaine charges. Also, prescription drug charges can land you in District court facing a felony.

St. George Criminal Defense Attorney | Cedar City

It may look bleak to you right now if you are facing serious drug charges, however, by speaking with a St. George criminal defense attorney in our law firm, you can get the advice and peace of mind you need to move forward with your defense and get things resolved quickly. You have options and we can help you explore those options. IN some case it makes sense to fight your charges all the way to a jury. In other cases you may want to consider a plea bargain and drug treatment programs. At any rate, the first step is hiring a good lawyer to take you through the process. We offer free consultations and can be reached at all hours of the day or night by calling 435.215.1101.

Contact St George Criminal Defense Lawyer