Crimes Committed at Utah Schools
Utah schools are supposed to be a safe place for learning and other educational endeavors. Because of the special education purposes Utah schools play in society, the Utah Legislature has passed special criminal laws to protect school grounds as well as the people who attend and work at schools. People are restricted in their behavior while on school property as well as even coming onto school property in the first place. There are special laws for trespassing on school property and other related crimes committed at school. Trespassing on school grounds can carry a more sever punishment than regular criminal trespassing. Since crimes committed on school property can carry harsh punishments and school crimes are treated differently depending on the age of the offender, it is important for anyone charged with a school related crime to contact a Utah criminal defense lawyer.
The Crime of Assaulting a School Employee
One serious school crime a person can commit is assault against a school employee. Utah State law provides that a person is guilty of a class A misdemeanor when a person assaults an employee of a public or private school. The person who assaulted the employee must have knowledge that the victim is a school employee and the employee must be acting within the scope of his or her authority as an employee. An employee of the school means more than just a professional education teacher. It can be any person on the staff at a school and it can also include a volunteer.
Assault against school employees can happen on or off school property. This expands the scope of possible charges against a person. For example, if a person pushes a school volunteer on a field trip, that person could be charged with assault against school employees. Students who commit this crime will likely be charged by the juvenile court system. Any minor who commits a school-related juvenile crime, such as assault against school employees, should not fight the criminal charge without the help of a Utah juvenile criminal defense lawyer.
For School Related Crimes, Contact Salcido Law Firm
If you have been charged with a school related crime, such as assault against school employees, contact a Utah criminal defense lawyer from Salcido Law Firm. A Salcido Law Firm attorney will make sure a criminal defendant obtains the best outcome possible in a school related crime. It doesn’t matter if you are an adult or a juvenile; our attorneys will be able to help you with your case. Call 801.413.1753 for a free consultation with a lawyer today.
