What does a criminal defense attorney cost in Salt Lake City?

We will sit down with you to discuss your payment options and look for an arrangement that is manageable for you. When we defend you, part of our role is helping to provide you with support and reduce your anxiety, down to the way we structure payments. Additionally, your initial consultation is cost-free.

When should you hire a criminal defense attorney?

If you were arrested and charged with a crime in Utah, you should contact Overson Law immediately. This is also true if you think that you are under investigation for a crime. The quicker you get in touch with us, the quicker we can begin advocating for your interests and fighting to ensure that the system does not treat you unfairly.

How can our Salt Lake City criminal defense lawyer help you?

Darwin will guide you, advise you, listen to you, and protect your Constitutional rights while working hard to achieve a favorable outcome to your case, such as an acquittal (“not guilty” verdict), a reduction in the penalties you are facing, your charges being dropped, or a dismissal of your case.

What to Do if You Are From Out of State But Charged with a Crime in Utah?

In the United States, people can travel across state lines as much as they want. However, people sometimes get into trouble in a state they do not live in, and they might face criminal charges.

It is possible that someone visiting Utah from another state can be charged with a criminal offense in Utah. Unfortunately, there is a lot of confusion surrounding what happens when someone is criminally charged outside their home state. Typically, your charges will be assessed according to Utah law. However, if the alleged offenses happened in more than one state, you might instead be federally charged. Immediately after you are arrested, you should call an attorney and begin figuring out bail. If you can secure pretrial release, you might not necessarily have to wait in Utah until your trial, although this might vary based on the situation.

If you are facing criminal charges in Utah but do not live in this state, our Utah criminal defense lawyers can help you. Schedule a free case review with our team at Overson & Bugden by calling (801) 758-2287.

Being Charged with a Crime in Utah When You Live in a Different State

Defendants charged with a crime in Utah but who live in a different state often want to know which state is assessing their charges. Generally, the state in which your alleged crime occurred is the state that will press charges and prosecute your case. This means that if you were arrested for a supposed offense committed in Utah, the State of Utah will handle your charges and case.

In many cases, people are confused because they are arrested in their home state for an alleged crime committed in Utah. In that case, a person might be arrested by the authorities in their home state before being extradited to Utah. The extradition process depends on the laws of Utah and the defendant’s home state. Under Utah Code § 77-30-22, the governor of Utah must issue a warrant for the return of an individual charged with a crime in this state, and almost all other states will comply with extradition requests.

There is a chance that your charges will not be under the State of Utah’s laws but instead filed under federal law. When a crime involves more than one state, and one state cannot exert jurisdiction over the case without encroaching on the jurisdiction of another state, the case might become a federal matter. In such cases, defendants are charged and tried in federal court.

Steps to Take After Residents of Other States Are Charged with Crimes in Utah

If you are charged with a crime in Utah, there are several steps you should take to help get your case under control. First, you need to contact an attorney licensed to practice law in Utah. Next, you and your lawyer should begin working on bail so you can get out of jail. Finally, you can talk to your attorney about whether you can return to your home state while you wait for your trial to begin. Our Salt Lake City criminal defense lawyers can assist you with your case and help you fight these charges.

Call a Lawyer

As soon as you can, you should contact a lawyer. After you are arrested, the police might want to ask you questions about the alleged crime. Before they do, they must read you your Miranda rights, which include your right to remain silent and have a lawyer with you. You should very clearly invoke these rights and refuse to answer questions until you have a lawyer with you.

It should be noted that since you are facing criminal charges in Utah, you need a Utah attorney. You might have a lawyer back in your home state, but they might not be licensed to practice in Utah or have knowledge of how Utah criminal laws and procedures operate. Our Murray criminal defense attorneys can help you with your charges in this state and alert your attorney or family members in your home state if necessary.

Figure Out Bail

Your next step should be to figure out what to do about bail. While many states use a cash bail system where defendants must pay a certain sum of money to be released from prison, this system is falling out of favor in many jurisdictions, including Utah. Bail reform laws in Utah all but eliminated the cash bail system, but the governor repealed these bail reform laws in 2021 without replacing them. As it stands now, you might have to pay money to secure bail, although many prosecutors and courts opt for cashless bail anyway.

To determine bail, courts consider multiple factors of your case, including the severity of the alleged offense, your criminal history, and whether you pose a flight risk. Our Layton criminal defense attorneys can help you argue for the least restrictive bail possible so you can get out of jail now while we wait and prepare for your trial.

Going Home

If you are released on bail, the first thing you want to do is return home while you wait for your trial to begin. Unfortunately, this issue is a bit complicated since your home is in another state. Sometimes, the courts are understanding and allow the defendant to return to their home state as long as they show up for their next court date. Other times, especially in cases involving more serious charges, defendants are not allowed to leave the state while out on bail. Our Taylorsville criminal defense lawyers can help you work this out with the courts. It is best to get clearance from the judge before you leave Utah for home.

Call Our Utah Criminal Defense Attorneys For a Free Case Review

If you face criminal charges in Utah but live in another state, your case might be more complex than the average criminal case. Our South Jordan criminal defense lawyers are prepared to help you through this ordeal and get you home as soon as possible. For a free case review, call Overson & Bugden at (801) 758-2287

“If someone is making allegations against you, you really should talk to Darwin.”

I was charged with domestic violence and the allegations were that I abused my husband. Truth is, my husband was abusive to me. I hired Darwin and we had a trial. During the trial, Darwin was able to show the jury that it was my husband that was abusive and was trying to manipulate the process of our divorce. The jury found me not guilty and after the trial one of the jurors approached me and told me how impressed the jury was with the way Darwin presented the defense. Before the trial, my now soon to be ex-husband tried to convince me to plead guilty. So going to trial was really the first time I was able to stand up to him and not let him manipulate my life anymore. Darwin really helped me with that process and I can’t express how empowering it has been. If someone is making allegations against you, you really should talk to Darwin.

T.W.
Google Reviews - September 2022

“If you or a loved one is in trouble, Darwin is your guy.”

“I was arrested for DUI. From the very beginning Darwin was very professional and supportive. Throughout the court process I was scared. I kept telling Darwin that wanted to plead guilty just to end it but Darwin encouraged me to stick with it and take the case to trial. The morning of trial, Darwin was able to cross examine the (arresting) officer in such a way as to show the jury that there was reasonable doubt as to the accuracy of the breathalyzer machine. That was important because they were saying my BAC was .182. Darwin walked me through my testimony so that the jury understood what happened from my point of view. I think if he hadn’t been able to help me through my testimony the way he did that the jury wouldn’t have understood and they would have convicted me. The jury deliberated for two hours and then returned a verdict of not guilty.I am really thankful that Darwin was my attorney and that I took his advice to take my case to a jury. If you or a loved one is in trouble, Darwin is your guy.”

T.C.
Google Reviews - September 2022

“The jury found my husband not guilty and I credit Darwin for making that happen.”

“My husband was charged with a first degree felony sex crime against our granddaughter. Anyone who knew my husband knew he didn’t do it. He was the type to protect children not hurt them. We had been represented by another attorney who just couldn’t get the prosecutor to see that the charges weren’t good. When it came time for trial, that attorney was scared to try the case. We were referred to Darwin and I am so grateful. Trial was a week long and by the end, Darwin had shown the jury how our grandchild had been manipulated by the social workers and her mother to say things that were not true. Darwin was careful and thorough in his investigation and preparation before trial and it really showed in court. The jury found my husband not guilty and I credit Darwin for making that happen.”

S. R.
Google Reviews - September 2022

“I thank Darwin …had it not been for him, things would have turned out very differently for me and not in a good way.”

“Several years ago, I was having troubles in my marriage. There were lots of arguments and it was clear that we were headed for a separation. One night I was woke up by six West Valley Police officers standing around my bed with flashlights shining in my eyes. It was 3:00 in the morning and they drug me to the police station where they informed me that I was being arrested for engaging in sexual relations with my baby girl. I could not believe it. Over the next several days I lost my job because of these allegations and a protective order issued against me preventing me from seeing my wife and child, and even from going to the house to get my things. My world was turned upside down. I hired Darwin to represent me. He helped me get my job back, over turned the protective order and through his own investigation was able to uncover enough about my wife to convince the prosecutor to drop all charges against me. About six months later my wife was arrested for possessing thousands of dollars of fake checks. I have moved on and remarried. I thank Darwin for helping me through an incredibly difficult part of my life and I think had it not been for him, things would have turned out very differently for me and not in a good way.”

B.N.
Google Reviews - September 2022