For those people under the age of 21 in Utah, the law treats substance abuse particularly hard.  Alcohol consumption for those over 21 years of age is legal but for those under 21 it is not.  This should not be a surprise to anyone.  Throughout the United States alcohol consumption is illegal for those under 21 years of age.  What some people do not realize is that there are negative consequences that result in a alcohol violation by a minor besides possible fines and jail time.  Utah law allows one’s driver’s license to be suspended for up to a year for the unlawful purchase, consumption, or possession of alcohol by a minor on a first offense.  On a second violation of an alcohol offense, a minor’s driver’s license can be suspended for 2 years.  A court can reduce the amount of time a minor’s license is suspended under certain circumstances.  For those minors facing an alcohol violation, it is important to contact a criminal defense lawyer in Provo to find out how their licenses can avoid suspension.

Drug Violations in Utah and Driver’s Licenses

In addition to suspending a minor’s license for an alcohol ticket, a minor’s license will also be suspended for a marijuana possession, other drug possession such as heroine, or possession of drug paraphernalia.  It may not make sense for someone’s driver’s license to be suspended if it was not motor vehicle related but the Utah State legislature seems to believe it will help dissuade minors to not use drugs, especially marijuana.  The problem with the law is that most people do not know their license will be affected by a drug violation.

Until recently, Utah courts were required to suspend the driver’s license of minors if they violated a drug possession or paraphernalia law.  The law was recently amended in the 2015 legislative session and it went into effect in May 2015.  The new law now allows courts to treat drug possession or paraphernalia violations similar to alcohol violations.  Utah courts, including Utah juvenile courts, can reduce or eliminate the suspension of a minor’s driver’s license under certain criteria.  A minor facing a drug possession or paraphernalia charge should contact a criminal defense lawyer in Provo immediately to find out if his or her driving privileges can be saved.

A Provo Criminal Defense Attorney May Be Able to Save Your License

If you are a minor and facing an alcohol or drug violation, contact an attorney from Provo criminal defense.  A Provo criminal defense attorney can give you a free consultation over the phone and let you know if your driver’s license can be saved.  Call 801-800-8246 to speak with an attorney today.

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Over the weekend, Provo police arrested 3 juveniles in Provo for car burglary. On Saturday night, a woman saw three teens dressed in black getting into her neighbors vehicle. The woman called the police who arrived in time to catch one of the three boys as he was trying to run away. The other two boys were later arrested as well, and the three of them have been refereed to juvenile court for vehicle burglary and curfew violations. The Provo Police Department cites car burglaries as a problem in their community and say that cracking down on it is a top priority for them.

Juvenile Charges

The juvenile criminal system is very different from the adult system because the State has different goals they want to achieve with juveniles. Although it could be said that the State tries to go easier on juveniles, that doesn’t change the fact that juvenile’s can be very detrimentally affected by juvenile proceedings. Not only could charges effect the juvenile’s future by showing up on their record, but they could also loose their drivers license as well as be required to serve time in detention or community service.

Provo Juvenile Crimes Attorney

If your child is facing charges for a juvenile offense then it is important that you seek legal help as soon as possible. Our attorneys are experienced in defending juveniles and know how to work in the uniqueness of the juvenile system. Regardless of the charges your son or daughter is facing, our lawyers can help. We offer free initial consultations so there is no reason not to at least come in and get some of your questions answered about how the juvenile process works. Call or email us today to set up an appointment. 801.800.8246

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The justice system has set up a separate system for offenders who are under aged. The juvenile court system is not a criminal court but a civil court and it is more focused on rehabilitation and helping the offenders than the adult courts are. There is more of an effort to protect the privacy of the offender and the penalties are usually softer and more focused on rehabilitation than punishment.

Do I Still Need a Lawyer?

Although the juvenile system is kinder and more forgiving to the offender than the adult system there are still some things an offender should be concerned about. Because the offender is a minor any sort of convictions on their record can have a much larger impact on their life. Also some of the penalties associated with juvenile crimes can be very damaging to the progress of the minor. For example, a punishment of suspension or revocation of a drivers license could prohibit the minor from obtaining employment or traveling to school. With all these things on the line it is important to have an advocate on your side that understands the system and can argue your case as to avoid these harsh outcomes.

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Last week, the 18 year old suspect in the Elk Nevada teen murder case was arraigned on serious charges surrounding the murder of a teenage woman in Wendover. This story has been all over the headlines in the past week as more and more details surrounding this unfortunate story begin to surface. It is now being reported that the district attorney on the case is considering pushing for the death penalty. The DA on the case is Mark Torvinen who told reporters he will decide whether or not to make this a capital case based on all the evidence and all the evidence had not yet been obtained or reviewed. An investigation is ongoing and the case is becoming larger on a local and national scale.

About the Case

The Elko County Murder case involves Kody Patten an 18 year old male, who allegedly confessed to striking teenager Micaela Costanzo, a young woman, with a shovel in the west desert just past the Utah border. Detectives reported that the Defendant hit the victim in the head with the shovel and buried her body. So far the defendant has been charged with 1 count of murder and 1 count of murder with deadly weapon. Authorities found the victim’s body outside of Wendover, Nevada, in a shallow grave. The investigation is still taking place but the alleged defendant has already been arraigned.

Murder Charges in Utah

At our law firm, we represent individuals accused of all types of crimes including the most horrific crimes such as murder, attempted murder, and other first degree felonies. We have a team of lawyers who have represented individuals charged with murder and have even achieved not guilty verdicts in some of these tough cases. If you are facing a serious felony charge, speak with a Provo criminal defense lawyer in our office now to get started on your defense.

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The Provo City Council has recently been considering  a new ordinance severely affecting the rights of minors.  A council member proposed a city ordinance making it a Class B misdemeanor crime for children ages 6 through 17 to be truant.  A police officer would have the authority to stop a child if the child was in a public place and issue a citation to the child for not being in school.  This daytime truancy ordinance would criminalize any child who was not in school.

Provo Residents’ Outcry

Many Provo residents, and other Utah residents as well, were highly alarmed at the proposal’s far-reaching grip.  People were afraid the ordinance would allow police officers to stop homeschooled children and issue them citations.  Also, Provo is home to Brigham Young University and some students at the university are under the age of 18.  Police officers finding a college student in a public place who looked under 18 could issue a citation.

The Provo City ordinance would give the police broad powers to stop any person who looked under 18 years old and question them during school hours.  The ordinance would restrict the movement of children and usurp the authority of parents to decide what is best for their children.  The alarming ordinance would add a burden to police officers by making them criminalize someone as young as 6 years old.

Peaceful Protest Kills Proposal

Fortunately though, the proposal has been killed because of peaceful protesters raising an outcry to the bill.  Yesterday approximately 250 protesters, some of them children, gathered at the Provo City Building to oppose the ordinance.  The protesters peacefully demonstrated their displeasure with the proposal.  Because of these protesters, along with others who sent hundreds of emails and phone calls to the Provo Mayor, the proposal was killed even before the council discussed it during the council meeting last night.

Provo Attorneys Will Protect Juvenile’s Rights

While this daytime truancy ordinance is dead, truancy laws still exist.  If your child has truancy crimes or other juvenile crimes pending, call the attorneys of the Criminal Defense Provo law firm at 801.800.8246.  Our experienced lawyers will protect unjust decisions against juveniles by the juvenile courts.  Minors have rights under the law just like adults and the lawyers at Criminal Defense Provo law firm will protect those rights.

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