Salt Lake City Criminal Defense Attorneys
Advocating for Your Interests & Defending Your Rights
Have you been charged with a crime? A criminal conviction can impact every area of your life and put your future and freedom in jeopardy. You need a qualified and experienced defense attorney to ensure that your rights are protected. At Nelson, Taylor & Associates, our Salt Lake City criminal defense attorneys represent clients charged with everything from misdemeanor offenses to serious felonies.
Give us a call today at (801) 901-7046 or contact us online for dedicated legal representation. Your initial consultation is completely free and confidential.
What Does a Criminal Defense Lawyer Do?
A criminal defense lawyer specializes in the defense of people and companies charged with criminal activity. Criminal defense attorneys research the facts, investigate the case against their clients and try to negotiate deals with their adversaries (prosecutors). They also examine witnesses, help formulate a plea, analyze the prosecutor’s case, assess the potential sentences, question witnesses, and gather evidence.
Why You Need a Lawyer For Criminal Defense
Even a seemingly minor charge can result in a criminal record, which can have a negative impact on your future and your freedom. Our attorneys provide client-focused, results-oriented legal representation aimed at achieving the best result possible for each situation.
We represent clients charged with many different types of misdemeanor and felony offenses, including:
- DUI
- Drug charges
- Domestic violence
- Juvenile offenses
A criminal conviction may result in anything from probation to a lengthy prison sentence. Our Salt Lake City criminal defense attorneys use their expansive knowledge of criminal law and the legal system to have charges dismissed, obtain a favorable plea, not guilty verdict, or alternatives to incarceration, depending on the situation. Regardless of the charges or penalties you may be facing, we fight to protect your rights and advocate for your best interests.
Four Categories of Criminal Defense
The four categories of criminal defenses the legal system recognizes are:
- Justification - a threat to you, your property, or your family, that required you to respond
- Excuse - a crime is explained but culpability is not necessarily found in the person who committed the crime
- Alibi - proof that you could not have committed a crime because you were not where the crime occurred during the date and time that it happened
- Procedural - the actual procedures of the arrest of gathering of evidence are called into question
Call Our Firm before Talking to Police
In some cases, people may believe they are helping themselves by offering information to law enforcement officers and answering questions. However, it is important to understand that they are attempting to build a case and anything you say may actually harm you in court. For this reason, you should exercise your constitutional right to legal representation and contact an attorney before speaking to police.
Give us a call today at (801) 901-7046 to speak with an experienced criminal defense lawyer about your legal rights and options.