27
Jul

3 Ways to Handle a Traffic Ticket in Utah

Although we always recommend hiring an attorney for any legal matters, it’s understandable that you may want to resolve your traffic ticket on your own. Here are a few tips: 1. Pay the ticket. If it’s too bothersome to go to court, you can pay the fine online or contact the court. Keep in mind […]

21
Mar

What are the three field sobriety tests in Utah?

Touching the nose, counting, or reciting the alphabet backwards. Although you may have seen them performed on TV, these are not valid field sobriety tests in Utah. There are three field sobriety tests a Utah police officer may conduct when suspecting a DUI—three standardized field sobriety tests adopted by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration […]

17
Mar

Understanding plea bargaining: the basics

Not every criminal case goes through the process of a lengthy trial. Defendants often resolve their case through a plea bargaining agreement.  Let’s look into the plea bargain process in Utah, when it is available, and its pros and cons on sentencing. What is a plea bargaining? A plea bargain or “plea offer,” is the […]

28
Feb

Driving with prescription drugs: Why is being impaired with legal drugs illegal?

Generally, it’s illegal to drive under the influence of alcohol and drugs. But do you know that “drugs” under these laws refer to legal drugs as well? Let’s discuss why driving with prescription drugs in your system can be illegal and how you can stay safe and avoid DUI charges. Why is driving with prescription […]

10
Apr

“Not Guilty” Vindicates Client Arrested for a DUI

Orem, UT:  Police officers may be gatekeepers of the criminal justice system, but they’re also just like us.  That means, sometimes they can be wrong, like when our client was wrongly arrested for a DUI. Funny thing—Mr. Brenner hadn’t had anything to drink that day.  Because of medications he was taking, he couldn’t drink.  Mr. Brenner […]

28
Aug

Utah Violent Crime increased in 2012, but far below the national average

In 2011-2012, violent crime rose in all areas of the country, (except for the Northeast) by an average of 1.6%. In Utah, however, violent crime only increased .38% (latest data available in the the Semi-Annual Crime in Utah Report). http://publicsafety.utah.gov/bci/crimestatistics.html

22
Apr

Is a Private Attorney Better than a Public Defender?

Utah has delegated the responsibility of providing criminal defense services for the poor, to the counties. This means that, within the state, each county decides the budget and quality of legal care provided to you. The quality of your legal counsel may vary greatly from county to county. In 2010, the ACLU issued a report […]

09
Apr

When to receive medical treatment after a car accident—it can be free!

If you’ve been injured in an accident and are in pain, you want to get better as quickly as possible.  When is the right time to get treatment?  Here are some tips: If you think you have a serious injury (such as fractures or internal bleeding), first go to the hospital for an examination and/or […]