Draper Criminal Defense Attorney

If you are accused of committing a criminal offense, it is important to protect your future. The consequences of a conviction could permanently alter the course of your life and destroy your reputation. You need the legal guidance and support of a highly qualified and experienced Draper criminal defense lawyer from Weber Law. 

With our firm backing you up, you can increase your chances of getting your charges reduced to a lesser offense or dismissed altogether. We may be able to work with the prosecutor to get you a plea agreement or a pretrial diversion program. Contact our office for a confidential consultation to learn more about the types of crimes we defend against, potential defense strategies that may be available for you, and what your next steps should be.

Why You Need a Dedicated Draper, UT Criminal Defense Lawyer 

When you are taken into police custody and charged with committing a crime, having a powerful criminal defense attorney working for you could make all the difference in the outcome of your case. Our team will be responsible for aggressively defending you and protecting your freedom. Some of the benefits of working with our Draper criminal defense attorneys include:

• Having a legal advocate with extensive experience in the Utah criminal justice and legal system or the municipal or district court defending your rights
• Access to resources that may not be available to you
• Extensive knowledge of state and federal criminal laws
• Legal representation that has built relationships with prosecutors and judges 
• The ability to negotiate a reasonable plea agreement with the district attorney

The Weber Law Difference 

When you choose Weber Law to handle your defense strategy, you will have a knowledgeable and experienced legal advocate whose goal is to obtain the most favorable outcome possible in your case. When you have been accused of committing a crime, you may be feeling an immense amount of stress and fear regarding your future. The penalties of a guilty verdict could have a catastrophic impact on your life. You could lose your job, face the suspension or revocation of your professional license, be required to pay excessive fees, or even be sent to jail or prison, depending on the type of crime you’re charged with.

Our criminal defense lawyers at Weber Law are prepared to fight for your rights and do everything possible to get the charges against you reduced or dismissed. We will use our considerable experience and skills to analyze the evidence at hand, consider the impact a conviction will have on your life, and negotiate with the district attorney to obtain a plea agreement if the evidence against you is indisputable or the consequences of a guilty verdict are too much to bear. Let us fight for your freedom.

We Handle Criminal Offense Defense in Draper, UT 

Criminal charges can take several forms. You need a high-quality legal defender to challenge the accusations against you and present the strongest possible legal defense. Here are some of the common types of criminal cases we handle at Weber Law:

Violent Crimes

One of the most serious crimes you can be accused of committing is a violent crime. These carry some of the harshest consequences since alleged victims may suffer devastating injuries or death. Depending on the type of violent crime you’re accused of and the evidence available in your case, it may be in your best interests to prepare a compelling defense. Plea agreements are often unavailable or not offered by the prosecutor’s office for violent crimes. Some of the most common types of violent crimes we defend against include:

• Assault
• Assault with a deadly weapon
• Manslaughter
• Vehicular manslaughter
• Domestic violence
• Murder

DUI Charges

Drunk driving and driving under the influence of drugs are some of the cases our criminal defense attorneys handle. If you’re found guilty, not only could you face fines and jail time, but you could also have your driver’s license suspended or revoked, be expected to install an ignition interlock device at your own expense and have a significant increase in your auto insurance premiums. 

Typically, the prosecutor will need to prove that you were in control of a motor vehicle and impaired when you were stopped by the police. You can be charged with a DUI even if you were not driving the vehicle or were asleep behind the wheel of a parked vehicle. This means even if your blood alcohol concentration (BAC) level was less than .08%, if you were impaired or unable to operate a vehicle safely, you could still be found guilty of a DUI.

Most DUI charges for first-time offenders are misdemeanors. However, your charges could be increased to a felony if:

• A minor was in the vehicle
• You were driving with a suspended license
• You were driving without a license
• You were driving over the speed limit
• Your BAC level was .20% or more
• You have prior DUI convictions on your record
• The accident involved serious bodily injury or death

Drug Crimes

There are many convicted felons in the criminal justice system who are serving time for non-violent drug crimes. If you are accused of drug possession, manufacturing, cultivation, distribution, or a drug paraphernalia offense, the consequences could haunt you for the rest of your life. You could expect to spend time in jail, be fined thousands of dollars, and be required to complete a drug or alcohol rehabilitation course once you are released or placed on probation.

Theft Crimes

Theft crimes may not seem as severe as other types of criminal offenses, but you could still face dire consequences if you are convicted. There are three primary types of theft crimes:

• Petty theft – This is the least serious theft crime. The value of the stolen property or services is valued at less than $50. However, if you are found guilty, you could be fined $500, be required to pay restitution to the alleged victim in your case, and spend up to six months in jail.
• Misdemeanor theft – This charge includes the theft of property or goods valued up to $2,000. If you are found guilty of a Class 1 misdemeanor theft charge, you could expect to pay fines up to $5,000, be required to pay restitution to the alleged victim, and spend up to 18 months in a county jail.
• Felony theft – In these cases, the value of the stolen property is $2,000 or more. If you are found guilty of a Class 2 felony theft offense, the value of the stolen property is $1 million, and carries fines of up to $1 million or more. Penalties are up to five years on parole, and a maximum of 24 years in a Utah state prison.

Sex Crimes

Sex crimes have harsh criminal penalties. Just being accused of a sex crime can destroy your reputation, whether you are ultimately convicted or acquitted. Some of the most common types of sex offenses we handle include:

• Child sexual assault
• Sexual assault
• Rape
• Unlawful sexual contact
• Invasion of privacy for sexual gratification
• Internet sexual exploitation of a child
• Child pornography 
• Statutory rape

Draper Criminal Defense FAQ

If you have been arrested or accused of committing a crime, you may have many unanswered questions about how the judicial system works. We want you to feel empowered as you fight for your future. 

For that reason, we have compiled a brief criminal defense FAQ that answers some of the common questions we receive regarding criminal charges in Draper, UT. If you have additional questions we did not cover here, do not hesitate to contact our legal team to discuss your potential defense strategies and go over your questions in greater detail.

Can the alleged victim drop the charges filed against me? 

It depends on the type of crime you are accused of committing. In most cases, once criminal charges have been processed by the state, the alleged victim cannot drop the charges. However, alleged victims have the option of refusing to testify or participate. If this happens, the prosecutor’s case against you could lack the evidence needed to convict.

Am I legally required to give the police a statement after being arrested? 

Absolutely not. It is your constitutional right to remain silent when you have been taken into police custody. The only information that you are required to give them is your name and other identifying information. Do not make the mistake of speaking with the police without your attorney present. 

Remember, anything you say can and will be used against you in a court of law. You do not want to accidentally say something that is self-incriminating or give the state additional evidence to be used against you. Instead, inform law enforcement officials that you are exercising your right to remain silent and would like to speak with your criminal defense lawyer as soon as possible.

Should I try to get a plea agreement?

It depends on the type of crime you are charged with, how strong the prosecutor’s criminal case against you is, and the penalties you face if you are found guilty. In many instances, working out a plea agreement is the best way to protect your future, especially if the prosecutor’s case is strong and the consequences of a conviction are life-changing. 

It may also be in your best interest to obtain a plea agreement if you are charged with a crime that will prevent you from supporting yourself if you are convicted. After reviewing the details of your case, we can determine whether you should seek a plea bargain or defend yourself in a jury trial.

Will I need a criminal defense attorney if I plan to plead guilty?

It is always in your best interests to have an experienced criminal defense lawyer on your side, even if you are planning to plead guilty. It is important that you understand the consequences of a conviction. Every defendant has the right to an attorney, which is why public defenders are available to those who cannot afford a private criminal defense attorney. Even if you plead guilty, your criminal defense lawyer should be informed to review your case. They might recommend you reconsider pleading guilty and instead enter a plea of not guilty or no contest.

Will I be found guilty if I fail a breath test? 

When you fail a breath test, that does not necessarily mean you will be found guilty of a DUI. If the law enforcement officials administering the breathalyzer did not follow procedure, the breathalyzer was not properly calibrated, or your breath test data was not analyzed correctly by lab professionals, you may be able to avoid a conviction. If law enforcement mistakes lead to your failing the breath test, we could get your charges tossed out or reduced to a less serious offense by presenting a powerful DUI defense strategy.

Should I work with a public defender to save money? 

Although working with a public defender is an option, most public defense attorneys are overwhelmed and inundated by cases. When this happens, public defenders do not have the time, resources, or energy to devote to each case. They are stretched thin because they advocate for as many people as possible. However, when you have an experienced attorney, you can rest easier knowing your case gets the attention it deserves. The criminal defense lawyers at Weber Law will never take on more cases than they can handle to ensure their clients get the best possible legal defense.

Get Help From a Respected Criminal Defense Law Firm in Draper, UT 

No matter what crime you have been accused of committing, the Draper criminal defense attorneys from Weber Law are prepared to protect your future. We will analyze the evidence in your case and conduct a thorough investigation to gather the information we need to challenge the state’s case against you. 

If we can get your charges reduced or dismissed, we could protect your reputation and clear your name of the charges against you. If you have been arrested or charged with a crime, call our legal team immediately for a confidential and free consultation. You can reach us through our secured contact form or by phone to get started.