St. George Felony Attorney
What Is a Felony?
No matter the circumstances, all criminal charges in St. George, Utah, are serious. However, felony charges carry harsher penalties than misdemeanor crimes. Felony offenses are typically considered to be more severe by law enforcement, prosecutors, and judges. In addition, a felony conviction on your record can have long-lasting consequences, such as difficulty getting a job or finding housing.
If you or your loved one has been charged with a felony in the state of Utah, don't wait until it's too late. Contact a criminal defense attorney right away.
Representing Felony Crimes in Southern Utah
As your St. George felony attorney, I am prepared to aggressively fight to protect your rights. I have over 33 years of criminal defense experience and have handled more than 100 jury trials. I can put my extensive legal defense knowledge and skill to work for you. As a felony attorney, I can evaluate the criminal charges and evidence against you, help you prepare a defense strategy, attempt to reduce the felony charges or lighten your sentence, and clear your name.
With every case I take on, I work to provide compassionate and personalized legal criminal defense representation tailored to your unique legal needs.
If you have been charged with a felony, contact a St. George felony lawyer today. You can reach my office at (435) 740-8460 to schedule your free initial consultation.
How Utah Felonies Are Classified
In the state of Utah, felonies are classified according to degree. The classes include third-degree felonies, second-degree felonies, first-degree felonies, and capital felonies. Each class of felony carries its own set of consequences, with penalties escalating in severity according to the severity of the charge. The higher the degree of felony, the harsher penalties you are likely to face.
What Is a 3rd Degree Felony in Utah?
The “least serious” degree of felony in Utah, third-degree felonies carry penalties that include fines up to $5,000 and up to 5 years in state prison. Examples of third degree felonies in Utah include theft over $1,500 but less than $5,000, burglary of a non-inhabited dwelling, and promoting prostitution.
What Is a 2nd Degree Felony in Utah?
In Utah, second-degree felonies are punishable by fines up to $10,000 and/or prison time ranging from 1 to 15 years. An example of a second-degree felony in Utah includes assault with a deadly weapon.
What Is a 1st Degree Felony in Utah?
A conviction for a first-degree felony in Utah can lead to penalties including up to $10,000 in fines and anywhere from 3 years year to life in prison, with some convictions carrying a mandatory life sentence, without possibility of parole. Rape and certain other sex crimes are typically charged as first-degree felonies.
What Is a Capital Felony in Utah?
Utah's most serious degree of felony charge, capital felonies carry the harshest penalties. In Utah a capital felony is punishable by 25 years to life imprisonment, life in prison without the possibility of parole, and death. Very few violent crimes, such as murder, are prosecuted as capital felonies.
If you need a felony attorney in St. George, reach out to my law firm as soon as possible. As a seasoned trial lawyer, I understand what is at stake and what you stand to lose. I am available 24/7 to answer your questions and address any concerns you may have regarding the legal process. As your attorney, I will work directly with you every step of the way.
Can a Felony Be Expunged?
It depends. Utah does allow some criminal records to be expunged under the Clean Slate law, however, automatic expungement applies to misdemeanors only. That being said, the state does allow some felonies to be expunged, but the expungement must be requested through a petition to the Court. There is also a waiting period of 7 years before an individual qualifies for expungement. This period refers to when the defendant was convicted, as well as when they were discharged from prison. Additionally, any probation or parole set by the Court must be finished and fines paid in order to be eligible for expungement.
It is important to note that even with the petition expungements, certain felonies are disqualified based on the offense or number of convictions. This can include capital or first-degree felonies, felony DUIs, and other specific violent and sexual offenses.
When Should You Hire a Felony Attorney?
If you find yourself facing felony charges that could result in doing jail time, do not hesitate. Hire a St. George criminal defense attorney immediately. If you are concerned about cost, remember that hiring a defense attorney in the beginning can actually help you keep costs down the long run.
My decades of criminal defense work includes jury trials for major felonies in state and federal courts from one end of Utah to the other. In addition, I've handled hundreds of criminal felony cases, including murder, attempted murder, arson, robbery, aggravated kidnapping, rape, child sexual abuse, aggravated assault, distribution of drugs. I take these criminal defense cases to trial often enough that my clients benefit from the respect I have earned by taking cases to court and winning.
Submit an online contact form or call St. George felony lawyer Edward D. Flint at (435) 740-8460 to request a confidential, free consultation. Payment plans are available, and all calls are returned within 24 hours.
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