Even if you have been charged with what you feel is minor damage to property, law enforcement has plenty of tactics to investigate and prosecute property crimes and give punishments that seem more severe than the crime. This is partly because it’s common for law enforcement to use the criminal justice system as a collection agency in civil disputes. Additionally, many cases of property crime stem from a dispute about property rights and overexaggerated accusations, so proving guilt isn’t always straightforward. This is why it’s important to have an experienced lawyer go through your case. If you have been charged with a property crime of any severity, there are options available. There are other options than just pleading guilty.

Taking risks is part of life, but it’s important to help your child understand the difference between risks that can help her learn and grow and risks that lead to serious consequences. On top of that, many children struggle with impulse control, so they may take unhealthy risks because they “want to” without considering any of the consequences.

Asset forfeiture laws in Utah allow law enforcement to seize property if they have cause to believe it’s connected to a crime. Some officers may take advantage of this loose definition and seize property for unjust reasons. The most common scenario is an officer taking a small amount of cash or a vehicle during a traffic stop. According to Utah law, you don’t have to be charged of a crime for an officer to take your property.

Using unlawful force to inflict injury on another person — or even threatening to do so — can lead to some serious consequences, including jail time, hefty fines, and a criminal record that affects your future. In some states, carrying out the unlawful force is called “battery,” and threatening to do so is called “assault.” However, in Utah, “battery” doesn’t exist. You can either get an assault charge or a something related to “threat of violence.”

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. 

In Utah, the Medical Cannabis Act allows individuals to acquire, use, and sell cannabis legally for certain medical conditions. While it’s legal to use cannabis under this act, there are still plenty of details within the law that may affect those who have a legal right to use cannabis in the state.

THC (tetrahydrocannabinol) concentrates are concentrated extracts from the marijuana plant. Some of the street names include "dab," "wax," and "shatter." These concentrates deliver a higher percentage of THC than a marijuana plant alone. Some concentrates are also named after the way the THC is extracted. Butane hash oil (BHO) uses butane to extract the THC and concentrate it. While there are some legal ways to use or possess THC concentrates in Utah, it is commonly used illegally in e-cigarettes or incense.