Utah Criminal Defense Attorneys

At DearLegal, we connect you with experienced Utah criminal defense attorneys who navigate the indeterminate sentencing framework, Plea in Abeyance under § 77-2a-1, Utah Clean Slate Act, the Board of Pardons and Parole, and Utah’s active death penalty with firing squad option.

Free to use — fees quoted upfront, before you commit
Matched with an Utah attorney in 24 hours
30,000+ plaintiffs served nationwide

Free Utah criminal defense case review

A Utah attorney will take a look. Or call 1-833-WELEGAL.

How we match your Utah criminal defense case

When you submit a Utah criminal defense matter, we route it through a national network of independent partner firms and put it in front of the one that fits best — based on the kind of case it is, what it is likely to involve, where it has to be handled, and who has capacity to take it on now.

Case type

A criminal defense matter needs someone who handles criminal defense work day to day, not a generalist. Practice area is the first filter.

Size and complexity

Some firms are built for catastrophic injury and multi-party litigation; others resolve straightforward claims quickly. We weigh what your matter is likely to involve against how each firm actually works.

Jurisdiction and licensing

Your matter is decided under Utah law, so it goes to an attorney licensed in Utah who regularly appears where your case would be heard.

Capacity and fit

Availability, conflicts of interest and language all matter. If the best-fit firm cannot take your case, we route it to the next one that can — or tell you plainly when no one in the network is the right answer.

Every partner reviews your case for free. Injury and workers’ compensation matters are handled on contingency — no fee unless you win. Other matters are quoted upfront, before you commit to anything.

Get started How DearLegal works

DearLegal provides marketing and matching services and is not a law firm. Submitting a case does not create an attorney-client relationship. Matches depend on case type, jurisdiction and firm availability.

Exhibit A

What happens with a criminal defense claim in Utah

Day 0
Arrest or charge.
Say nothing beyond identifying yourself and ask for a lawyer. Do not consent to searches. Everything after this is built on what you did not say.
Within 24 hours
Tell us what happened.
Two minutes on this page. A Utah criminal defense attorney reviews it for free and, if it’s a fit, you’re matched within 24 hours.
Days 1–14
First appearance and bail.
Your attorney addresses release conditions and gets the charging documents. In Utah, this is where the tone of the case is set.
Weeks to months
Discovery and motions.
Police reports, video, lab work, witness statements. Motions to suppress or dismiss are filed where the evidence was obtained improperly.
Before trial
Negotiation or trial.
Most cases resolve by dismissal or plea; some go to trial. Your attorney advises on the risk of each with the actual evidence in hand.
Resolution
Outcome and record.
Fees are quoted before you commit — hourly or a retainer, spelled out in writing at the free consultation.

Felony Statute of Limitations: No limit
No limit for capital felonies, aggravated murder, murder, manslaughter, aggravated sex offenses; 8 years for rape, object rape; 4 years for most other felonies (Utah Code § 76-1-301 et seq.)
Misdemeanor Statute of Limitations: 2 years
2 years for most misdemeanors (§ 76-1-302)
Sentencing Structure: Capital
Capital, First Degree, Second Degree, Third Degree felonies and Class A/B/C misdemeanors under Utah Code § 76-3-203; indeterminate sentencing with Board of Pardons and Parole controlling release; mandatory minimums for firearms enhancement (§ 76-3-203.8), drug, and sex offenses
Expungement / Record Sealing: 7 years
Utah Code § 77-40a-101 et seq.; Utah Clean Slate Act (HB 35, 2019) — automatic expungement of many misdemeanors after 5-7 years (Class C/infraction 3 years, Class B 4 years, Class A 5 years); Plea in Abeyance dismissal eligible for expungement immediately
Bail / Pretrial Release: Bail
Bail under Utah R. Crim. P. 7B; constitutional right to bail with exceptions (Utah Const. Art. I, § 8); HB 206 (2021) bail reform replaced traditional cash bail framework with risk-based assessment
Typical attorney fee: Hourly
Hourly / Flat Fee

Utah classifies crimes under Utah Code Title 76. Felonies are Capital (aggravated murder — life without parole, life with parole, or death), First Degree (5-life), Second Degree (1-15), Third Degree (0-5). Misdemeanors are Class A (up to 364 days), Class B (up to 6 months), Class C (up to 90 days). Infractions are not jailable. Utah retains an active death penalty and notably restored firing squad as a method in 2015 (Utah Code § 77-18-5.5) as a backup if lethal injection drugs unavailable. Utah legalized medical marijuana via Prop 2 (2018), implemented through legislative compromise as the Utah Medical Cannabis Act (Utah Code § 26-61a). Recreational marijuana remains illegal. Plea in Abeyance under § 77-2a-1 is the primary diversion — plea held in abeyance, dismissal upon successful completion. Diversion under § 77-2-1 is pre-charge prosecutorial diversion. Utah has a strong recent expungement framework: the Utah Clean Slate Act (HB 35, 2019) provides automatic expungement of many misdemeanors after 5-7 years and class B misdemeanor non-convictions automatically. Expungement under § 77-40a-101 et seq. is among the broader frameworks in the country. Utah uses indeterminate sentencing with the Board of Pardons and Parole (BOPP) controlling release decisions.

Exhibit B

When to call a criminal defense attorney in Utah

Does any of this sound like you? Tap what applies.

Exhibit C

Criminal Defense cases we take in Utah

Which one is closest to yours?

DUI

Utah DUI under § 41-6a-501 — BAC .05+ adult (lowest in U.S.), .00 under 21, .04 CDL. First offense: mandatory 48 hours jail, 120-day license suspension, IID required. Third offense third-degree felony. Automobile Homicide DUI (§ 76-5-207) second-degree felony.

Sound like yours? A Utah attorney reviews it free — fees are quoted upfront, before you commit.

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Exhibit D

How much do Utah criminal defense attorneys cost?

Typical fee schedule

Utah · Criminal Defense

Fee modelHourly / Flat Fee

Feequoted per petition or matter

Filing costsitemized upfront

Case reviewFree

Illustrative only. Your fee terms are set in a written agreement with your attorney and may include costs and expenses regardless of outcome.

Criminal Defense matters in Utah are usually a flat fee per filing — quoted before you commit, not billed by the hour.

Criminal defense attorneys in Utah work on hourly or flat-fee retainers — contingency fees are prohibited in criminal cases under Utah R. Prof. Conduct 1.5(d) and ABA Model Rule 1.5(d). Misdemeanors and most felonies are flat-fee; complex cases use hourly billing. The Utah Indigent Defense Commission and county legal defenders (Salt Lake Legal Defender Association, Utah County, others) represent indigent defendants.

A good attorney walks through every number at your free consultation — before you sign anything.

Get startedTakes about two minutes. No obligation.

Exhibit E

What your Utah criminal defense compensation can include

A Utah criminal defense recovery is built from several parts. Tap one to see what it covers.

Charge Dismissal

Outright dismissal through motion to suppress, motion to dismiss for insufficient evidence, prosecutor dismissal, or speedy trial dismissal.

DearLegal is a legal referral service, not a law firm. We connect individuals with licensed attorneys who can evaluate their case. Nothing on this page constitutes legal advice. Results vary based on individual circumstances.

Exhibit F

Utah criminal defense questions, answered

Still unsure? Tell us what happened and a Utah attorney will review it for free.

Start free review

No. Politely decline and ask for an attorney. Utah Highway Patrol, SBI (State Bureau of Investigation), Salt Lake City PD, West Valley PD, and local departments use trained interrogation. Anything you say is admissible. Invoke your Fifth Amendment right to silence and Utah Const. Art. I, § 12 right against self-incrimination.

Yes. Utah Class A misdemeanors carry up to 364 days and $2,500 fine; Class B up to 6 months and $1,000. Plea in Abeyance (§ 77-2a-1) — completion = dismissal — is a critical first-offender option. DV (§ 77-36-1) and DUI convictions trigger major collateral consequences including federal firearm prohibitions.

State cases go through Utah District Court (felonies, Class A misdemeanors) or Justice Court (Class B/C misdemeanors, infractions). Federal cases go to U.S. District Court for the District of Utah (Salt Lake City, St. George) under the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines. Federal cases commonly involve drug trafficking (I-15, I-70, I-80 corridors), § 922(g) firearm cases, wire fraud, healthcare fraud, federal program fraud, and Indian Country jurisdiction (Major Crimes Act — significant Ute reservation).

Utah plea agreements under Utah R. Crim. P. 11 are negotiated between the prosecutor and defense. Pleas can include charge reductions, Plea in Abeyance (§ 77-2a-1 — plea held, completion = dismissal), Diversion (§ 77-2-1 — pre-charge), drug court entry, mental health court entry, veterans court, and stipulated sentence recommendations.

Yes — Utah has one of the better expungement frameworks. The Utah Clean Slate Act (2019) provides automatic expungement of many misdemeanors after 5-7 years (varies by class). Petition-based expungement under § 77-40a-303: Class B/C and infractions after 4 years, Class A after 5 years, felonies after 7 years (non-violent) or 10 years (drug). Violent felonies, sex offenses, and DUI generally not expungeable.

Utah handles juveniles in Juvenile Court under Utah Code § 78A-6 (recodified as § 80-1). Juvenile records confidential. Expungement of juvenile records under § 80-6-1001. Transfer to adult court for 14+ for serious offenses under § 80-6-502; certain offenses (murder, aggravated murder by 16+) charged directly in adult court (Serious Youth Offender, § 80-6-503).

Utah DUI under § 41-6a-501: BAC .05+ adult (lowest in U.S. — Utah lowered from .08 to .05 effective Dec. 30, 2018), .00 under 21, .04 CDL. First offense: 48 hours-1 year jail (mandatory 48 hours), $700+ fine, 120-day license suspension, IID required. Second offense within 10 years: Class A misdemeanor enhanced. Third offense: third-degree felony. Automobile Homicide DUI (§ 76-5-207) second-degree felony. Implied consent under § 41-6a-520.