Warren Jeffs Wants to Represent Himself The most recent news out of Texas is that FLDS Church leader Warren Jeffs told the judge in his case that he wants to fire his attorney and represent himself. His reasons for this desire is that the attorney does not understand the facts of the case and that by defending himself “true justice”…
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Utah Law
New Fireworks Law in Utah
Earlier this year the Utah State Legislature voted to change firework laws in Utah. The new law now allows for aerial fireworks and it changed the legal season for lighting fireworks to June 26th to July 26th. The new allowed fireworks are called “cakes,” which are multishot devices that shoot mortars from a base. They are not the same as…
Utah Theft Laws
Yesterday in Kearns, Utah a woman was working out at her local gym when her purse and car keys were stolen. Before going to a water aerobics class Marsh Cross put her belongings in a locker in the changing room but did not have a lock for the locker. While she was in her class someone took her car keys…
Utah Criminal Statute of Limitations
Recently the Salt Lake City police asked for the public’s help in finding a man who may have been involved with the murder of Cornell Burns in 1990. The case involved the shooting and killing of Burns who was found in the road after being shot in the head. After reviewing the case the police realized that Burns was with…
Get a Utah Criminal Defense Attorney for Your Preliminary Hearing
Preliminary Hearings in Utah Occasionally, criminal trials in Utah are resolved even before they happen through preliminary hearings. A preliminary hearing is a hearing in which a judge decides whether there is probable cause to make a defendant even stand trial for the crime he or she is charged, such as a DUI. This doesn’t mean the judge decides whether…
Utah Police Authority to Stop and Detain Motorists
Utah Police May Stop and Request Identification Utah police have expansive authority to briefly detain subjects for investigative purposes on information amounting to reasonable suspicion. It is proper for Utah law enforcement officers to demand identification from a person because the U.S. Supreme Court said that requesting identification of a person has a immediate relation to purpose, rational, and practical…
Utah Makes Spice Illegal | Hill Air Force Base Cracking Down
Utah Officially Makes Spice Illegal At the end of last month, Governor Herbert signed House Bill 23 officially making it illegal to sale, distribute, produce, or even possess Spice in the State of Utah. The bill provides tough penalties for not only selling, but also producing, distributing, and possessing the synthetic cannabis. The state has now outlawed a product which has…
Utah Legislature’s Last Day of the Year
The Utah Legislature enters its final session of the year today and all we can say is “thank goodness.” Every year we hold our breath as some of the most ridiculous laws are presented to the Legislature, many of which pass. When it comes to individual liberty and the rights of criminal defendants the Legislature has a track record of…
Bill Passes Committee Requiring Sex Offender Suspects to Test for HIV
Sex Offender Convictions In addition to social stigmatization, registering for the sex offenders list, fines, and incarceration, a sex crime conviction in Utah also requires the offender to undergo a HIV test. The mandatory test was designed to inform the victims of sex crimes of the possibility of contracting the terrible disease. HIV tests invade the privacy of the sex…
Recording Jail Conversations
Criminal Defense Lawyer | Salt Lake, Ogden, Provo Many people do not realize that when then they meet with a friend or family member in jail, their conversations are being recorded. It is true; the communications booths in the jails are monitored and recorded. Additionally, regular phone calls to and from inmates are also monitored and recorded. This means that…