Vernal Utah Criminal Defense Attorney
If you have been charged with a crime in Vernal, Utah, your first step should be to seek out advice that you can trust. The criminal defense attorneys at Intermountain Legal can answer all of your questions and help you understand what will happen next in the Vernal criminal justice process. Our criminal defense lawyers have extensive experience handling criminal charges in Vernal and they can put that experience to work for you. They know how to successfully work with the Vernal judges and court system. Evidence consistently shows that defendants who have the help of a criminal defense attorney in Vernal get better outcomes in their criminal cases.
Because they are based in Salt Lake City, the criminal defense attorneys at Intermountain Legal have the luxury of being able to focus exclusively on criminal law. Unlike lawyers based in small towns like Vernal, our client base is large enough that we do not have to dilute our efforts by diverting our time and energy to other areas of the law such as divorces or contract disputes. Because of this exclusive focus we have been able to invest the time to learn what criminal defense tactics achieve the best outcomes in criminal courts, including the criminal courts in Vernal, Utah.
Vernal Utah Criminal Defense Law
The City of Vernal is the exception to the generalization that small Utah towns have low crime rates. If you are a resident of Vernal, you have a 62% greater chance of being a victim of a crime than you do in the United States at large. The rate of property crimes, especially, is consistently higher than the national average. Thefts make up 73% of all crimes in Vernal. Crime statistics, however, can be misleading because they are calculated based on how many people reside in the geographical area. For example, the rate of rapes in Vernal is three times the national average. This rate is calculated based on how many rapes occur annually in Vernal per 100,000 people who live there. Therefore, the actual number of rapes per year is less statistically significant until it is divided by Vernal’s small population. But any way you interpret the statistics, the results are the same: the Vernal court system takes crime seriously. If you have been charged with a crime in Vernal, you need a criminal defense attorney with experience working within Vernal’s unique criminal justice system.
Vernal is home to four separate types of criminal courts. First, the United States Eight District Court for Uintah County is located in Vernal. The Eighth District includes Daggett, Duchesne, and Uintah Counties. This Utah State trial court has general jurisdiction, which means it is empowered to hear all felony criminal cases. Felony cases include crimes such as forgery, arson, and sex and drug offenses. The Vernal District Court also hears criminal cases involving Class A misdemeanors such as DUI with injury or possession of marijuana. Judge Clark A. McClellan and Presiding Judge Edwin Peterson preside. Second, the Eight District Juvenile Court for Uintah County located in Vernal hears all criminal cases involving minors under the age of eighteen. The Vernal Juvenile Court is presided over by Vernal lawyer Judge Larry A. Steele. Third, Vernal is home to both the Vernal City and the Uintah County Justice Courts. Utah justice courts have authority to hear criminal cases involving Class B and C misdemeanors. Possession of drug paraphernalia, driving on a suspended license, and DUI are all charges which would be heard at one of the Vernal justice courts, depending on the geographical area in which the offense took place. Cases first heard at the Vernal justice courts can be appealed to the Vernal district court. Finally, the Uintah County Drug Court is located in Vernal. The Vernal drug court was one of the first rural drug courts in the United States and the second adult drug court to be established in Utah. The purpose of the Vernal drug court is to help adults who have committed drug related felonies to overcome addiction and become law-abiding members of society.
Contact a Vernal Utah Criminal Defense Attorney
Criminal charges in Vernal Utah are serious matters with real and lasting consequences. Don’t gamble with your future. The criminal defense lawyers at Intermountain Legal believe that everyone deserves a second chance, No matter what the circumstances you find yourself in, we have answers. Our criminal defense attorneys have the experience and knowledge of the Vernal criminal court system to help you get the best possible outcome in your criminal case. When you call you will talk directly to a qualified criminal defense lawyer who will help you understand your position and evaluate your options. Your initial consultation is always free, and we will answer your questions regardless of whether you decide you need our help or not.