Felony Defense in Utah

Utah Felony Defense Attorneys

Given how serious criminal felony charges are, it makes sense for you to hire an expert defense lawyer. Our attorneys are experienced at defending cases effectively and aggressively on your behalf. We are dedicated to defending your rights.

Wasatch Defense Attorneys are the sentencing experts you want in your corner. Contact us at 801.980.9965 for your no-obligation case review.

What is a Felony?

Breaking the law in Utah comes in two forms: misdemeanors and felonies. Felonies are considered more serious, so they allow judges to hand down harsher punishments, like life imprisonment or thousands of dollars in fines. Felony offenses include such things as arson, murder, or rape.

Felonies are also divided into different classes: First Degree, Second Degree, Third Degree, and Capital Offense. These different classes are separated by the severity of the crime and, as a result, have different levels of punishment. Burglary, for example, is third or second degree felony (depending on whether it happened at a personal residence or not), but aggravated burglary–which is burglary that involves dangerous weapons or harming or intending to harm someone –is a first degree felony, which means it carries a longer minimum jail time and a larger maximum fine.

Lawmakers in the state of Utah take criminal felony charges very seriously. Many felonies come with mandatory minimum sentences to make sure that any felony conviction will result in jail time as well as a possible fine. If you are a facing a felony charge, it is vital to have a defense attorney who truly understands how felonies are classed and punished in the state of Utah. At Wasatch Defense Attorneys, our highly qualified experts know how to help you avoid jail time and get a speedy resolution to your case. Call us for a free case review.

To help you understand the classification of felonies, we have listed the differences below:

Third Degree Felony

A third degree felony is the least serious felony in the state of Utah. This felony is punishable by up to five years in prison and a fine up to $5,000, but has no minimum sentence. A good example of a third degree felony is theft of property (or services) with a value of more than $1,500, but less than $5,000.

Second Degree Felony

A second degree felony, such as assault with a dangerous weapon, can lead to a prison sentence of 1 to 15 years and a fine of up to $10,000.

First Degree Felony

A first degree felony conviction is punishable by a minimum of five years in jail with a maximum of life imprisonment. You could also be fined up to $10,000. An example of a first degree felony in Utah would be rape.

Capital Offense

A capital offense felony is only attributed to the most serious of crimes in Utah, like murder. These felonies can result in capital punishment (better known as a death sentence), life in prison without parole, or life imprisonment. The minimum sentence is 25 years in jail.

Felony Defense

While misdemeanors are often no more than a formal slap on the wrist, felonies are a much more serious matter. The legal professionals at Wasatch Defense Attorneys in Salt Lake City have over 100 years of experience in criminal law. Our defense attorneys possess the knowledge and experience to handle the full spectrum of felony charges. More importantly, we know how to aggressively defend our clients to preserve their quality of life and even completely avoid felony convictions.

Call us today for a confidential, free consultation and see how we can help you 801.980.9965.