You’ve likely heard the terms assault and battery before. They are generally associated with crime stories in which a person causes a non-fatal injury to another. Both terms have negative connotations and they almost seem interchangeable. In many states, there is a difference, but Utah approaches the law differently.

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.

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.”

If you’re suspected of a crime in Utah, officers will do everything they can to find evidence against you. That often includes searching your property, but unless you give them permission, they need to obtain a search warrant from a judge to do so.

According to the Utah criminal code, manslaughter is one of many types of criminal homicide. It may seem a little tricky to understand the difference between manslaughter and murder, but the general explanation is that murder is an intentional homicide, while manslaughter can be a homicide caused by recklessness (that wasn’t necessarily intentional). However, there are other factors that can determine the classification of a homicide. So here are four questions you might have about manslaughter crimes in Utah.

For many, cash has been tight this year and the holidays are upon us, so it’s not a huge surprise that shoplifting cases have surged this month. Most people know shoplifting as a form of retail theft, but there are a number of other shoplifting-related activities that could land you in hot water with a retail theft charge. Here are four things you should know about retail theft and the potential consequences associated with retail theft charges in Utah.

In Utah, theft is explicitly defined as a person who “obtains or exercises unauthorized control over the property of another with a purpose to deprive.” Under this definition, law enforcement could file charges of theft even based on your “intent” to deprive another of something. For example, if someone delivers a package to your house mistakenly and you keep it without any intent to return it, you could be charged with a theft crime.

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.

Trigger Warning Here is what you need to know about sexual assault in Utah. Before you read this, please be aware that it is a sensitive topic. If discussions about sexual assault are triggering for you, it might be a good idea to skip this post..