Cyber-bullying, stalking, or hazing

Every state has laws and regulations that define and punish activities that constitute cyberbullying. Cyberbullying occurs when a person, typically a teen or child, uses a computer to threaten, humiliate, or otherwise harass a peer. It may take place over a laptop computer, smart device, or tablet computer and within platforms such as text messages, emails, social media, on the internet forums, or chatroom. Cyberbullies can wreak havoc on their targets at any moment, from nearly anywhere. Since the act does not need in-person communications like physical bullying, charging people within a certain timeframe can be difficult.

Identity theft

This occurs when someone’s personal information is stolen and used or attempted to be used by another person. This includes sensitive information such as full name, date of birth, primary residence, email addresses, phone numbers, social security number, and photo identification. This information is then used for financial gain, employment, or material benefit, such as online shopping. The charges associated with identity theft can be classified as a misdemeanor or felony, usually depending on the number of financial damages that were inflicted.

Illegal content

The internet of the deep web or black web is full of illegal materials. These materials are protected by international laws prohibiting the viewing, use, or distribution of such materials. This includes sexually explicit materials involving children or animals, prostitution service postings, selling drugs or prescription medication, and copywritten materials such as music, video games, and movies.

It is important to remember that crimes on a computer can be charged just the same as crimes in the real world. If you or a loved one has been charged with an internet-related crime, it is important to have a strong defense firm on your side. If you have been charged in Utah and would like to speak with an attorney, contact Utah Criminal Defense Attorneys at

801-987-8409 to speak with a legal professional and schedule a consultation.

Are you facing charges that require you to register as a sex offender? If so, you should talk to an experienced sex crimes defense attorney at the Ault Firm.

Risk Levels for Sex Offenders in Utah

In Utah, sex offenders that are required to register with the state are assigned to one of these three primary levels of risk:

Level One: Is mostly assigned to the people who have the lowest risk of reoffending.

Level Two: This is for people who have a moderate risk of reoffending.

Level Three: These people have deemed the highest risk of reoffending and of being a potential threat to public safety in their community.

The risk is based on the information available on the offender and can impact the assignment level.

Level one sex offenders must register with the sheriff in the county in which they live. The sheriff’s office keeps the offender’s records and may notice the people who live with the sex offender.

Level two offenders are deemed to be at risk of reoffending but do not have a high risk as level three sex offenders. If you are level two risk, you must register with the sheriff’s department of your county. The sheriff is then obligated to notify homes, schools, and community groups in your neighborhood as well as your employer.

Level three sex offenders have the highest risk of reoffending. If you are a level three risk, your registration is mandatory. People who live in the neighborhoods that surround yours will be notified that you live in their area. Flyers also will be handed out to homes, schools, and community groups with your picture, name, address, and criminal history. The sheriff will also send press releases to the local newspapers and television stations. Finally, your employer will be notified as well.

Suppose you face some sexual offense charges and wish for your life to remain private and ordinary. Contact our experienced sex crime defendants at The Ault Firm to obtain your consultation today.

For some people, hiring a defense attorney is a cost-benefit analysis. The central dilemma is to decide whether or not the cost of hiring a lawyer is worth it. This is especially the case when someone is charged with a misdemeanor crime. Let’s take a look at what can happen as a result of a misdemeanor conviction.

Understanding misdemeanor charges in Utah

A misdemeanor is a crime punishable by up to one year in an area jail and/or a penalty up to $2,500.00. There are additionally some misdemeanor offenses that carry extra penalties that can be short-term or permanent. There are three levels of offense in Utah, each with their limitations on fines. The levels range from A, B, and C offenses to cover points varying from things like public drunkenness (C) to negligent homicide (A). While class B & C misdemeanors are handled in the Justice Court, Class A offenses will be processed in District Court.

Do I Need A Lawyer?

We have all heard, “if you have to ask just how much it sets you back after that, you possibly can’t afford it.” A comparable train of thought needs to be used whenever a person is charged with a criminal offense. Suppose you need to ask if you require an attorney; after that, you most likely do. A misdemeanor might not appear like a large offer to some; also, the most basic case can significantly impact your life. If you are attempting to decide on whether to work with an attorney to represent you in a criminal instance, please take a moment to think about the following:

The criminal process is complicated yet may relocate faster than a civil procedure ever could. There can be great deals of red tape, traps, and techniques played that can destroy your opportunities for a positive result. Your instance might include activities, orders, hearings, examinations, as well as even a court test. It is important to have a person on your edge who recognizes the policies and process and the prosecution. Also, if you only intend to go into a guilty plea and move on with your life, there are sometimes tough decisions that need to be made, as well as an attorney can help you make sure you are fully notified of your choices. The prosecutor is under no obligation to do so.

The fines discussed above might not appear significant to some, yet to most of us, the possible loss of flexibility is frightening. Along with fines as well as prison time, there may likewise be higher expenditures for everyday things, therapy, and medication, as well as prices. Some offense sentences can also lead to boosted fees in the future and the retraction of hunting benefits or the right to have a gun.

While the idea of a trial might strike concern in the hearts of several, occasionally, it can be in your support to demand your test. Many people charged with a crime are harassed right into pleading guilty under the danger of a lot higher fines or the ask for prison time. In truth, an individual is not intended to be punished for exercising their right to test. With a seasoned lawyer in your corner, you will be educated on the possible defenses you have, potential charges. If you are bent on just pleading to the cost, an attorney may have the ability to aid much better take care of the result.

Lots of people are reluctant to acquire representation in violation situations because of the regarded cost. It might not be as costly as you assume. Protecting violation charges does not require as many hearings, the quantities of evidence, specialists, or as much time as protecting felony costs. Furthermore, by working with an experienced and educated attorney to represent you, your situation can likely be solved in much less time, which corresponds to less cash invested.

Seek legal representation today

Whatever you are accused of, despite the proof that may be out there, do not hesitate to call The Ault Firm to make the most of our case review appointment concerning your instance. The criminal defense lawyers at The Ault Firm have experience whatsoever levels of the criminal justice system, from serving as a police officer as much as well as consisting of court tests in State and Federal District Courts.

What is Money Laundering Exactly?

Cash laundering is the procedure of attempting to conceal, camouflage, hide, or process money gained from criminal tasks to make the funds appear to be from a legitimate or lawful source.  These instances include illegal activities such as prostitution, selling drugs, illegal gambling, theft, kickbacks, and bribery.  There are many different approaches that people will take in order to try and legitimize or hide this money.  Examples include depositing the funds into several different checking and savings accounts, making false investments, presents, gifts, acquisitions, moving titles, or running the funds through various companies.  Essentially any activity that involves taking money from criminal activity and attempting to legitimize these profits is money laundering.

What are the Charges for Laundering in Utah?

Under Utah regulation, it is illegal for a person to participate in any type of economic deal while either recognizing or suspecting that the cash, or proceeds came from illegal activity.  The individual does not need to understand what certain illegal task generated the earnings, or where the cash stemmed from.  Rather, the cash does not come from, or could not have come from an illegal source.  Another way of saying this is that money laundering does not require the person to know the money came from dealing drugs, only that the source could not have come from legitimate and legal business dealings.

Profit laundering is a felony and the level of the charge depends on the quantity or worth of the property involved. Dealing with a relatively small amount say, $300 is typically going to result in a less serious charge that $100,000.   For transactions over $300 but less than $20,000, it is a third-degree felony punishable by up to 5 years in prison.  For transactions of at least $20,000 but less than $100,000, it is a second-degree felony punishable by up to 15 years in prison. For transactions of $100,000 or more, it is a first-degree felony punishable by up to 30 years in prison. Money laundering charges can also result in a civil penalty of not more than the value of the financial transactions involved or $25,000, whichever is greater.

Cash laundering fees can also result in a civil fine of not more than the worth of the monetary transactions entailed or $25,000, whichever is higher.

Provided the seriousness of money laundering costs, anybody dealing with these charges need to seek advice from a skilled attorney to talk about the possible legal defenses offered to them.

The adhering to table details hooking as well as solicitation laws in Utah.

Legal Definition of Prostitution in Utah

Code Sections UTAH CODE ANN. §76-10-1302 et seq.

What is Prohibited?

Prostitution:

Engaging in sex for pay, serving as an inmate in a house of prostitution, or loitering/being within view of a public place to be hired to engage in sexual activity

Patronizing a prostitute:

Paying or agreeing to pay for sex or entering or remaining in a house of prostitution to engage in sexual activity

Aiding prostitution:

Soliciting a person to patronize a prostitute, procuring or attempting to procure a prostitute for a patron, leasing or permitting a place to be used for or promotion of prostitution, providing any service or committing any act which enables or facilitates prostitution, and soliciting, receiving, or agreeing to receive a benefit for committing any of the above

Pimping (a.k.a. exploiting prostitution):

Procuring an inmate for or securing a space in a house of prostitution, encouraging, inducing, or purposely causing another to become or remain a prostitute, transporting, procuring, or paying for transportation of a person into and within the state for prostitution purposes, sharing in prostitution proceeds, owning, controlling, managing, supervising, or keeping a house of prostitution or prostitution business

It is aggravated exploitation of prostitution if the person uses force, threat, or fear to do any of the above. The above prostitute is a child, or in exploiting prostitution, the person committed human trafficking or smuggling.

Penalties Prostitution, patronizing a prostitute, and aiding prostitution are Class B misdemeanors punishable by up to 6 months in prison and up to $1,000 in fines. A second or subsequent offense of prostitution or aiding prostitution is a Class A misdemeanor punishable by up to 1 year in prison and up to $2,500 in fines.

Patronizing a child prostitute and exploiting prostitution are third-degree felonies punishable by up to 5 years in prison and up to $5,000 in fines.

Aggravated exploitation of prostitution is a second-degree felony punishable by up to 15 years in prison and up to $10,000 in fines. However, if the prostitute was a child, it is a first-degree felony punishable by up to life imprisonment and up to $10,000 in fines.

Finding a Sex Crime Defense Attorney

Even if it is your first time being charged with sexually related crimes, it is vital to have a knowledgeable Salt Lake City criminal defense attorney on your side. If you have been charged in Utah, you can use our contact page to get in touch with a legal professional. You can also call our office at 801-987-8409 to schedule a consultation or case review.

White-Collar Crime Charges in Utah

According to an article on The Deseret News, places like Orem, Provo, and Lehi are rampant with these kinds of issues. But with such a strong religious presence, you may be asking yourself why. As the article poses, one reason is that the community tends to be tightknit and willing to trust and help one another. These get rich quick schemes are targeted towards members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. The FBI has stated that they are investigating cases ranging from 50 to 100 million dollars in damages.

Registry for White Collar Crimes

Utahans are doing something about this issue by allowing citizens a way to investigate past offenders. A link to the registry can be found here: https://www.utfraud.com/RegistryLists.

Types of White Collar Crimes

The charges imposed by these crimes depends on the severity and how much money has been wrongfully taken. This includes such activities such as:

1. Fraud
2. Bribery
3. Cybercrimes
4. Embezzlement
5. Laundering
6. Identity Theft
7. Forgery

Criminal charges of this nature almost always involve complicated financial details and knowledge of the law. Call The Ault Firm is you are seeking an experienced, knowledgeable defense attorney to help fight for your rights. 801-987-8409

A common condition for parole or probation.

It is important to remember that these terms are designed to show the court that you want to rehabilitate yourself. With that being said, some terms of probation or parole can be complicated to follow.

Standard Terms

As the name implies, these are conditions imposed on almost every term regardless of the length. This usually includes mandatory meetings, lessons, or therapies designed to convicted people deal with substance abuse or grow as individuals. You are also subject to warrantless searches in that same vein should your parole, or probation officer deems it necessary. Most of the time, it will also be mandatory that individuals abstain entirely from alcohol and illicit drugs of any kind.

The terms of any given sentence may also include items specific to the nature of the crime. For example, in DUI criminal cases, an interlock breath analyzing system must be placed in your car for the vehicle to start. Or perhaps it will be necessary to adhere to any restraining orders during a domestic violence situation.

What can be done if you are charged with violations?

The reality is that the punishment for violations is often more severe than the original crime. This is because judges and the legal system tend to take offense to what they view as a wasted second chance. In many cases, jail or prison time is automatically placed back in order with extra time. If you or a loved one is dealing with a parole or probation violation in Utah, it is important to have an experienced defense attorney on your side. It is in your best legal interest to have someone build a strong case to defend your alleged actions (or lack thereof). If you would like to speak to a Salt Lake City area attorney, call our office today at 801-987-8409.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row]