Felony DUI Charges in Provo

If you are charged with your third DUI or more, you will likely be facing a felony charge. Felony DUI Charges in Provo come with a real risk of serious jail or prison time so it is important to speak with a lawyer as soon as possible. If you are a family member and your loved one is being held in jail after being arrested on a felony DUI, we can help get the bail addressed. Often the bail amount is initially set very high.

Felony Drug Charges

Felony drug charges are one of the most common types of felonies filed in Utah County. Having a large amount of drugs or having paraphernalia such as scales etc., can land you a felony drug charge. Even if you do not have a prior record, if you are charged with a felony drug related crime, you should seek the assistance of counsel. Even the lowest felony charge runs the risk of prison time. To speak with a Felony Drug Defense Attorney at our firm today call 801.800.8246.

Violent Crimes

Violent crimes are often charged as felonies. Assault, domestic violence, and other related violent offenses, if felonies, are often aggressively pursued by prosecutors. There is no doubt you will need a lawyer if you are facing one of these types of crimes. We can help.

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Many crimes committed in the Provo area are victimless crimes.  A victimless crime is a crime where there is no victim of an illegal action by another person.  A an example of such a crime is marijuana possession.  Many people may argue that a drug crime still hurts the community as a whole so there is still a victim, but this argument misses the point of there being no specific, identifiable person hurt by a illegal act.  Crimes committed that hurt other people are often treated more harshly than victimless crimes because the victim wants justice or restitution for the hurt caused by the perpetrator.  An example is a property crime such as theft.  The victims of thefts often push prosecutors to aggressively go after thieves because they want their property back and want the thief to suffer.  Fortunately for those accused of theft, there are Provo criminal defense attorneys to protect them from prosecutor abuse.

Provo Suffers From String of Thefts

The Provo City Prosecutor may be very busy in the coming weeks prosecuting theft if the Provo police catch those responsible for a string of recent thefts.  It was reported today that there have been 17 separate thefts from storage units at a Provo self-storage facility within the last two weeks.  This type of thievery from storage units is not unique either.  Stealing from storage units has been happening in the past to other storage facilities.  Provo police believe it may be the work of one person although it could be multiple people working together too.  If the person is caught, he or she is facing serious charges.  The person would probably be charged with multiple felonies and could face years in prison.  Hopefully the person hires the best Provo criminal defense attorney from Criminal Defense Provo to minimize his or her punishment or the only facility he or she will be in is a prison facility.

Provo Criminal Defense Attorneys Help Those Charged With Theft

If you are facing a theft charge in Provo, Orem, Lehi, or anywhere else in Utah, call the Provo criminal defense attorney experts from Criminal Defense Provo.  Our lawyers have handled many theft cases and will help you achieve the best outcome possible in your case.  Contact one of our attorneys today by calling 801.413.1753.

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Drug Laws and Resisting Arrest

In the case above of Remo Espinoza, he was obviously facing some serious felony and misdemeanor drug charges before the arrest, but because of his actions when police came to the home he ended up with an additional first-degree felony, and a class B misdemeanor. Resisting arrest or assaulting a police officer never works, and always ends up costing an individual more heartache, especially if they are actually guilty of the original offense. The best advice that can be given to anyone in such a situation is to cooperate with police and not tell them anything until you talk to an attorney.

Utah Criminal Defense Attorney | Provo, Orem, & American Fork

If you are facing drug charges or any other criminal charges in Utah County then call Provo Criminal Defense today. Our attorneys are experienced in defending against criminal charges and can help you obtain the best outcome available. We understand that you are innocent until proven guilty and we will work tirelessly to protect your rights. Call or email us today to set up a free consultations and get your questions answered.

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Over the weekend Trek Bicycle in American Fork was broken into and a bike worth more than $3,000 was stolen. The thieves smashed a store window, grabbed the bike, and took off. The most disheartening thing about the situation is that nearly the exact same thing happened a couple of weeks ago. The story gets worse however because over the last couple of weeks two other bike shops in Utah County have had similar experiences, Mad Dog Cycles in Orem and Timpanogos Cyclery in Pleasant Grove. The losses of all the bike shops combined is now well over $20,000, along with the repair and additional security costs.

Utah Theft Laws

Theft laws in Utah are separated out depending on the price of the merchandise that was stolen. If the value exceeds $5,000 then the charge is a second degree felony, third degree felony between $1,500 and $5,000, class A misdemeanor between $500 and $1,500, and class B misdemeanor if less than $500. Obviously in the case above the perpetrators, when caught, will be facing theft charges of a second degree felony, and will likely be facing other charges as well. The possible penalties for a second degree felony are 1-15 years in prison and up to $10,000 in fines. The court would also likely require restitution from the defendants meaning they would have to compensate the victims for the damage and losses they created.

Utah County Defense Attorney

No matter what level of charges a person may be facing, hiring an attorney is always the right decision. Even for goods under $500, a conviction could mean 6 months in jail and $1,000 fine. With so much at stake you don’t want to risk defending yourself alone or just going along for the ride. Call Provo Criminal Defense today to set up an initial consultation and to find out how we can help you defend your rights.

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Thanks to popular television and newscasters professional jargon is more commonly heard in our daily lives. We hear the fake doctors tell the face nurses on t.v. shows that they need so many “BP’s” of this and that they need that “stat,” and we hear about criminal penalties from law and order and common phrases of legal process. However, although we may hear these things on TV most of the time we still don’t understand them. One of the more common things that we hear but aren’t sure what it means is felonies and misdemeanors. In the criminal justice system offenses are actually divided into three categories not just two; they are felonies, misdemeanors and infractions (from most grave to least). Felonies and misdemeanors are then divided into sub classes; capital, first, second, and third degrees felonies; and class A, B, or C misdemeanors.

Punishment for Crime

The different classifications of crimes is not just so lawyers can have cool phrases like doctors but it serves a purpose by dividing up the penalties criminals may face. Going back to the beginning of our criminal justice system judges had free reign on sentencing. In theory a judge could sentence a traffic violator to life in prison and a murderer to community service. Obviously, without any rules in place for sentencing, uniformity was not one of the legal systems strong suits. Because of the desire for uniformity, the different class systems have set different ranges for penalties. For example a first degree felony could carry a penalty of five years to life in prison and up to a $10,000 fine.

Utah County Criminal Defense Attorney

Although, this offense classification system can be explained quite simply here in this blog, the use of this jargon and how it effects the filing of charges, settlement, and negotiation process can be much more complicated.  Because of these complexities it is important to have an attorney help you sail the uncharted legal waters that you may be facing. Call Provo Criminal Defense today to set up a free consultation, and see what we can do for you.

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Over the weekend, Jacob Huff, a Provo resident, was arrested on suspicion of object rape, unlawful sexual activity with a minor, and two counts of enticing a minor. Huff had allegedly texted a 15-year-old girl earlier this month asking her if she wanted to smoke weed with him. The two then met at Mountain View High School and traveled to a business parking lot in the Provo River Bottoms where Huff allegedly sexually assaulted the girl. The girl later told a friend and her mother what had taken place, and the police later used the friend to catch Huff. After the friend, who is 16-years-old had texted Huff to tell him to stop communicated with the alleged victim, Huff asked if she wanted to meet up. The police supervised the 16-year-old as she set up a meeting with Huff at the Provo Smith’s where police arrested Huff. He was later booked into Utah County Jail.

Utah’s Unlawful Sexual Activity with a Minor Law

In Utah the crime of unlawful sexual activity with a minor is defined as any sexual act with a person between the ages of 14 and 16 that does not amount to rape or a number of other offenses. This is a separate crime from sexual child abuse which involves persons under the age of 14. Unlawful sexual activity with a minor is a 3rd degree felony, unless the defendant is less than four years older than the minor and in that case it is a class B misdemeanor.

Facing Sex Crime Charges in Utah County?

If you or someone you love is facing sex crime charges then you definitely need the help of an attorney. Sex crimes are prosecuted very aggressively and can carry very harsh penalties, not to mention the damage that is done to reputations and relationships. The lawyers at Provo Criminal Defense are experienced trial attorneys that can help you obtain the best outcome possible. Call us today to set up a free consultation to see what we can do for you.

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Early Sunday morning witnesses say they heard an audible fire alarm and started seeing smoke coming from the Pirate Island restaurant and arcade in Orem, Utah. All four Orem fire stations responded and the fire was contained within an hour but not before some significant damages was caused. Early estimates have the damages between $50,000 and $75,000. Although no one was injured in the fire, damages this high can obviously be a seriously blow to the sustainability of such a business. Orem Police Sgt. Craig Martinez stated the the arson investigation team was still going through the evidence but that the cause of the fire right now is suspected to be arson.

Criminal Arson Charges

In Utah there are two different arson offenses that a person can be charged with. The first is simply arson, and the second is aggravated arson. Arson is described as damaging a property by means of fire or explosive, the charge is elevated to the level of aggravated arson if someone was in the building when the damage occurred. In the case of the Pirate Island fire there are no reports that anyone was in the building so if it was arson and the person is caught they will be facing an arson charge. The offense of arson can range from a class B misdemeanor to a second degree felony based on the cost of the damage, and aggravated arson is a first degree felony.

Facing Arson Charges? | Call Us Today

If you or someone you love has been charged with arson then it is important that you start working on your defense right away. The best way to do that is by hiring an attorney. The lawyers at Provo Criminal Defense are experienced in arson defense and know how to get the best outcome possible for their clients. The charges you are facing are very serious and could cost you personal liberties. We’ll fight to protect those liberties and help you get through this difficult time.

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Provo Municipal Councilman Steve Turley was charged yesterday with communications fraud, exploitation of a vulnerable adult, and  pattern of unlawful activity. In all the charges amounted to 10 separate 2nd degree felonies. These charges stem from accusations that Turley has been taking money and property from several people in order to illegally obtain more property. Although there are 10 felonies that Turley is facing, seven of them are for communications fraud.

Communications Fraud in Utah

In Utah the crime of communications fraud is a very broad and a somewhat vague statute that is basically a variation of theft. The statute defines communications fraud as devising any scheme to defraud another or to obtain from another money or property by means of false or fraudulent pretenses. The severity of the offense ranges from a class B misdemeanor to a second degree felony depending on the value of the stolen items. The harshest part of the statute, however, is that prosecutors can charge a separate count of communications fraud for each communication, whether it be separate communications with the same person or with different people. This is why Turley is facing so many felony charges. Although the facts of the prosecutions case against Turley are not known the fact that he has been charged with second degree felonies means that the property he allegedly obtained was either sensitive personal identifying information or was valued at greater than $5,000.

Utah County Criminal Defense Attorney

If you or someone you know is facing charges of communications fraud it is important to hire an attorney right away. In most cases communications fraud charges stem from legitimate business practices that have gone bad. The attorney’s at Provo Criminal Defense will thoroughly investigate each charge of communications fraud against you and make sure that you are not convicted for crimes that you did not commit. Call us today to set up a free consultation.

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Earlier this year there was a deadly fire at the Boulders Apartment complex in Provo, Utah. Police received a call from one of the tenants, Yvette Kimber, who said she was suicidal. Moments later the fire was reported. Kimber eventually called 911 as she tried to notify fellow tenants, but two of those tenants became trapped in their appartments and died. Kimber was initially detained for questioning and she described the events as an accident. Kimber reported that she was intoxicated and fell asleep with a cigarette, but later admitted to the investigator that she started the fire as a way to take her own life.

Charges Filed

Kimber was originally arrested for investigation of manslaughter, but after the Provo fire marshal determined that accelerates were used in starting the fire, the potential charges were upgraded. The new felony charges were two counts of murder and one count of aggravated arson. Judge Lynn Davis in Provo determined that Kimber was mentally competent to stand trial last month.

Possible Deal

Currently, Kimber is considering a plea deal which is still unknown. In a hearing today Kimber waived her preliminary hearing and Judge Davis alloted her 30 days to consider the plea bargain.

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On February 2, 2011, Wade Willis was arrested by Springville police in connection with a federal warrant for a probation violation. Once in custody police stated that Willis began acting as if he were “having some type of seizure.” Willis was taken to Utah Valley Regional Medical Center where some testing was done as a result of the seizure. While at the hospital Willis was allowed to use a bathroom alone and he was able to escape through some ceiling tiles. The next day Willis was apprehended in Salt Lake City. Unfortunately, that was Willis’ second escape from Springville police. In 1998 Willis was able to pry open a patrol car window and flee on foot after stealing a 12-pack of beer.

Guilty Plea

Earlier this month Willis pleaded guilty in U.S. District Court to a felony of possession of a firearm. Willis will face sentencing on August 16th and could get up to 10 years in prison. His previous record and the fact that he escaped, will obviously increase the likelihood that he gets a maximum sentence.

Don’t Run | Get an Attorney

Even though it’s dramatized in movies and on t.v., running from the police is never a good idea. Like Willis, those who run will eventually be caught and then there will be more charges or increased penalties. The right thing to do once you’ve been arrested is to cooperate with police, don’t incriminate yourself, and then get an attorney. A Provo criminal defense attorney can help get your charges reduced or your case dismissed depending on the circumstances. If you are facing criminal charges call the attorneys at Provo Criminal Defense to see what we can do for you.

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