SALT LAKE CITY DOMESTIC VIOLENCE ATTORNEY

Defending Clients Charged With Domestic Violence in Salt Lake County, Davis County, Weber County, Morgan County, & Box Elder County

Various offenses could be considered domestic violence in Salt Lake City. If you are charged with a domestic violence offense, you will need an attorney experienced in domestic violence law and litigation. These charges should be taken seriously. They could keep you away from your family and children, and you could be detained until your court date.  

Are you facing a domestic violence charge in Utah? Call Jardine Law Offices P.C. today at (801) 396-9993 or contact us online to schedule a meeting with our domestic violence lawyer in Salt Lake City!

WHAT IS CONSIDERED DOMESTIC VIOLENCE IN Utah?

By the definition of the Utah Legislature, “Domestic violence or a domestic violence offense means any criminal offense involving violence or physical harm or threat of violence or physical harm, or any attempt, conspiracy, or solicitation to commit a criminal offense involving violence or physical harm when committed by one cohabitant against another.” Some of these possible offenses could include the following:

• Aggravated assault
• Assault
• Harassment
• Electronic communication harassment
• Kidnapping, child kidnapping, or aggravated kidnapping
• Sexual Offenses
• Stalking
• Unlawful detention or unlawful detention of a minor
• Violation of a protective order or ex parte protective order
• Possession of a deadly weapon with criminal intent
• Child abuse
• Threatening use of a dangerous weapon
• Threatening violence
• Retaliation against a witness or victim
• Unlawful distribution of an intimate image
• Damage to or interruption of a communication device (that the victim may be attempting to use to call emergency aid or police.

What are the PENALTIES FOR DOMESTIC VIOLENCE IN Utah?

The penalties for being convicted of domestic violence or a domestic violence offense could depend on which offense has been committed and whether or not there was a violation of a previously forced protective order (restraining order) or ex parte order. Charges could range from a class B misdemeanor to a felony. There could be career consequences, marital consequences (forced alimony, the division of assets), the possibility of limited visitation or adverse custody arrangements, and permanent damage to your criminal record.

When children are involved, the courts tend to magnify domestic violence penalties, even if the child is only within earshot of the offense. If you are convicted of domestic violence in the presence of a child and found to have used a weapon or attempted to cause serious bodily harm to the alleged victim, you could be found guilty of a third-degree felony. This charge is in addition to the primary domestic violence charge and alone can add up to 5 years in prison and/or up to a $5,000 fine to your sentence if convicted. The violation of domestic violence in the presence of a child is a class B misdemeanor and carries up to six months in jail and/or up to a $1,000 fine.

IS IT BETTER TO PLEAD OUT ANY DOMESTIC VIOLENCE Case?

Keep in mind that, in accordance with Utah law, if you plea “no contest” to the domestic violence charges against you, this will be taken as a guilty plea and is the “equivalent of a conviction, even if the charge has been subsequently reduced or dismissed in accordance with the plea in abeyance agreement.”

When you take a guilty plea or plead “no contest” for a domestic violence charge, this can have a serious impact on your future. Many people think they can avoid most, if not all, of the negative consequences of a domestic violence case if they plead out, but that is not the reality. Yes, you may be able to negotiate a reduced sentence in exchange for a guilty plea, but you will still have a permanent mark on your criminal record, you may still be required to serve jail or prison time, and you may be required to serve time on probation.

When deciding whether to plead guilty to a case instead of going to trial, you need to work with a skilled Salt Lake City domestic violence defense attorney. An attorney will be able to explain every aspect of these cases and discuss whether or not it is in your best interest to accept a plea.

WHY YOU NEED AN ATTORNEY TO FIGHT DOMESTIC VIOLENCE CHARGES

If you or somebody you love has been charged with domestic violence in Utah, your first phone call needs to be to a skilled attorney. A Salt Lake City criminal defense attorney is going to be an invaluable asset for your case. The consequences of a guilty verdict are severe, and you do not want to rest your case in the hands of an overworked public defender.

At the Jardine Law Offices P.C., our Salt Lake City domestic violence defense attorneys will be able to use their resources to:

• Obtain and analyze all evidence being used against you by prosecutors and law enforcement officials.
• Conduct an independent investigation into the case in order to uncover any new evidence that could be used to benefit your case.
• Engage in negotiations with all parties involved and explore the possibility of a plea bargain if one is warranted.
• Work to get the charges against you reduced or dismissed.
• Help negotiate a lesser sentence as a result of a plea deal or a guilty verdict in court.

Start your defense with our Salt Lake City domestic violence attorney today!