If you have been sentenced to a prison term, the best thing to do is make the most of whatever time you serve—even if you plan to file an appeal. Focusing on what you can control and working to improve your circumstance will help you stay hopeful and resilient. While we acknowledge the flaws in the prison system and continue to fight for improvements, there are still positive opportunities for those serving time in Utah’s prisons. According to the Utah Department of Corrections website, 95% of those who leave the prison system lead successful, crime-free lives after they are released.

You might be surprised by the most common crimes in Utah. The good news is the Beehive State is a fairly safe place to live, especially when it comes to homicides. In 2020, it ranked in the bottom ten for murders. 

While many of the states surrounding Utah have legalized or even decriminalized marijuana, Utah still prosecutes those who are caught with even small amounts of marijuana. If you have been arrested for any marijuana offense in Utah, minor or severe, you can reach out to the experienced criminal defense lawyers at Brown, Bradshaw, and Moffat in Salt Lake City, Utah, and we will fight to defend your rights.

Violent crimes charges, such as assault, can carry heavy consequences, especially in Utah. Prosecutors and law enforcement tend to put a lot of effort into assault cases. This means you need someone in your corner who is skilled at fighting back. That’s where the attorneys at Brown, Bradshaw, and Moffat come in.

If you burn someone else’s property without their consent, you can be charged with arson in Utah, and in some circumstances, it may even result in an aggravated arson charge. These are serious offenses, and if you’re convicted, you may spend some time in jail or even prison. However, with the right lawyer, you may be able to avoid some of the most serious punishments.

The most recent data from the Utah Department of Public Safety shows that about 30 people are arrested for DUI every day. If you have ever been in trouble with the law for driving under the influence in Utah, you may consider getting your DUI expunged from your records. When a record is expunged, it becomes sealed. No one can unseal the record without a court order. This means you can tell a prospective employer or landlord that the crime never took place. However, because the Beehive State takes DUIs seriously, it’s one of the harder crimes to get expunged from your record.

Thousands of campfires are ablaze every night in Utah thanks to the season of s’mores, scary stories, and late-night chats under the stars. Camping trips and backyard parties around the fire pit are a blast, but can also be where some of the most devastating fires start.

During the first 48 hours of your arrest, you can expect to be investigated for probable cause, booked into a jail facility, questioned by police, taken to your first court appearance, and possibly released on bail. This process can be distressing and humiliating for anyone. Fortunately, if you’re in Utah, you are protected by the United States Constitution. As long as you know how to apply your rights, you can avoid more trouble.

If you’re arrested for domestic violence in Utah, the process moves quickly, and some consequences start automatically. Within hours, you may be booked into jail, have a protective order placed against you, and face restrictions on where you can go and who you can contact. However, if you have a good lawyer by your side, and you know what to expect, you may be able to minimize your penalties.