Sexually motivated crimes carry serious penalties—not the least of which could be a lifetime dealing with the strict rules of the sex offender registry. With so much on the line, it’s important to know the laws in Utah around sex crimes. Here are four things you should know about sex crimes in Utah.

You’ve heard it on every movie and TV series with a crime in the plotline: “Anything you say can, and will, be held against you in a court of law.” Let this be the first thing that comes to mind when you are encountered by a police officer who suspects you broke the law. You may not think that you will ever have a run-in with the police, but it’s always better to be prepared. In case an unfortunate situation does arise, have this knowledge stored away so you can act in your best interest.

According to the Utah Department of Public Safety, there were just over 5,400 reports of sexual assault in 2022. That number comes from adding the different crimes reported that fit under the sexual assault umbrella.

The state of Utah has a simple way to check if there is a warrant out for your arrest. You simply go to this website. It was created by the state and is completely safe to use. Just enter your name, click search or press enter, and the website will immediately check to see if there are any matches.If a warrant has been issued, there are a number of factors that determine what happens next. Here is a breakdown of what you can expect, and why you might want the involvement of an attorney.

Whether or not you committed the crime, you want an attorney who is completely on your team and wants the best outcome for you. You want someone who will move the process along so you can move on with your life.

Whether your child has been charged with a drug crime, possession of alcohol, or a violent or sexually motivated offense, your knowledge can help improve the outcome of their offense. Here are nine ways you can help support your child through the process of fighting for their rights in Utah’s juvenile courts.

Cyberstalking, cyberbullying, or electronic communication harassment charges in Utah are serious. This year, with everyone spending even more time indoors and online, allegations of electronic harassment charges are only increasing. Under Utah law, you could be charged with cyberstalking if you have been accused of causing someone to fear their own (or someone else’s) safety and the result is “emotional distress." Since these crimes are based on intent and the feelings of others, you need an experienced legal team who will fight the charges against you.

Right now, 23 states have approved recreational marijuana, and four of them border Utah. In fact, the only surrounding states that don’t allow it are Wyoming and Idaho.

In Utah, the sex offender registry also includes kidnapping offenders. Utah’s registry is called the Utah Sex Offender & Kidnap Offender Registry.‍The laws surrounding the registry are long and detailed. We have compiled eight common questions about the Utah sex offender registry in Utah and explained the basics of each one.For full details surrounding the laws and the registry, you can visit the Utah Department of Corrections and the Utah State Legislature websites.‍