Criminal Charges Don’t Always Come Immediately
In many criminal cases in Utah, a criminal defendant is not charged immediately after a supposed violation of a law. Salt Lake, Ogden, Provo, and other law enforcement officers will arrive at the scene of a reported criminal incident and not issue any citations or make arrests before he or she leaves. This type of situation often occurs with domestic violence assault cases. An officer shows up to a home, interviews people involved in the incident, and then makes a report of his findings. His or her report will be sent to a Salt Lake, Ogden, Provo, or other Utah city or county prosecutor and then the prosecutor will decide if domestic violence assault charges should be brought against someone.
It Best to Have a Lawyer at an Arraignment
The common way to receive notice that one is being charged with a crime is through a summons. A summons will often be hand delivered to a person explaining what crime the person is charged with as well as information telling the person when and where to appear to answer these charges. This summons from a court can be surprising and frustrating because many believed they wouldn’t be prosecuted since the police officer did not arrest them or issue a citation. Receiving a summons can be stressful but if those summoned to appear in court for something like domestic violence assault hire a Utah criminal defense lawyer, their stress can be alleviated somewhat.
A summons for a charge such as domestic violence assault requires a defendant to appear for an arraignment. At an arraignment, a defendant is required to enter his or her plea concerning the charge. Defendants who don’t have a Utah criminal defense lawyer can request additional time in which to respond to the charge and to consult with a lawyer. So, people who appear in court because of a summons for something like domestic violence assault, don’t have to enter a plea and can have more time to think about what would be best to do.
Utah Criminal Defense Lawyers Protect People At Arraignments
If you have an up-coming arraignment, or already appeared at an arraignment for something like domestic violence assault and wish now to have a lawyer, call a Utah criminal defense lawyer from Salcido Law Firm. A Salcido Law Firm lawyer will protect your rights at an arraignment in Salt Lake, Ogden, Provo, and the rest of the Wasatch Front. Call 801.618.1334 for a free consultation with a lawyer today.
