Sadly, domestic violence and abuse happen a lot more often than you’d think. In the United States, over 20 people are physically abused by their intimate partner every minute. That’s excluding emotional and sexual abuse. About 10 million people are victims of domestic violence, not counting the many incidents that go unreported. It is difficult to break from the oppression and see the signs of domestic abuse, so we have compiled a list of signs so you can take adequate action.

Signs of Physical Abuse

The following are some signs if you or a loved one has been a victim of physical domestic violence:

• Sustained bruising, scars, broken bones, etc.;
• Have been hit, kicked, punched, choked, or slapped;
• Threatened with a weapon;
• Sustained injuries from a weapon;
• Forced to use drugs or intake alcohol;
• Abandoned in an unfamiliar place;
• or Subjected to reckless driving.

Signs of Emotional Abuse

Below are some signs that you or a loved one has sustained emotional abuse:

• Have been demeaned or belittled;
• been called names;
• humiliated in public;
• obsessively accused of being unfaithful;
• been cheated on;
• isolated from family or friends;
• stalked by your partner;
• told what to eat, where to be, and where to sleep;
• or obligated to dress a certain way.

Signs of Sexual Abuse

You or a loved one may be suffering from sexual abuse if the following signs apply:

• You’re forced to dress in a specific sexual manner;
• Forced to have sex even if you/they don’t want to;
• Forced to perform sexual acts;
• Physical abuse during sex;
• Forced to make pornography;
• Intentionally given an STD;
• Forced to have sex after physical abuse;
• Forced to have sex with others.

Knowing if You’re a Victim

You or a loved one may have experienced one or more of the above signs in your own relationship. But, some of these actions, without context, are enough to be domestic violence. So here are a few questions, if you can answer yes, honestly, then you may be a victim of abuse:

• Has your partner insulted or humiliated you in public?
• Does your partner force you to describe your every move when you’re not with them?
• Is your partner angry all the time?
• Does your partner scare you?
• Does your partner force you to do drugs?
• Are you not able to interact with certain people, including your family, because of your partner?
• Does your partner force you to have sex with them?
• Has your partner threatened to kill you?

If you have answered yes to any of these questions, do not hesitate to reach out to The National Domestic Violence Hotline for help at 800-799-7233. Our expert attorneys can also assist you in any legal claims including divorce or legal separations. Call today and receive a consultation.

Technology is rapidly advancing and as our society is becoming more integrated with the internet, the rate of cybercrimes is increasing dramatically. To stay protected as much as possible, below are some of the most common types of cybercrimes. 

Fraud

Online scams are a newer type of fraud, but we have all experienced them at some point. You anonymously receive an email or text message asking you to provide detailed information or to sign into a shady website. This is referred to as “phishing”. Phishing is used to obtain as much personal information as possible.

Sex Crimes

The most common online sex crime is child pornography. Sexual exploitation of a child or child pornography is a serious sexual offense and a felony. Depending on the acts committed, sexual exploitation of a child can be punishable by up to 12 years in prison. Additionally, the convicted person would also be required to register as a sex offender. Even the minimum punishment would be 2-6 years in prison, a fine, and mandatory sex offender registration.

Electronic Bullying

Bullying is completely under control on online platforms. However, after many suicide attempts from young users, it has been criminalized. Online bullying is a class 3 misdemeanor and is punishable by up to 6 months in jail and carries a heavy fine. So, if you ever feel harassed by these online keyboard warriors, call an attorney to file a claim.

Malware or Viruses

Deliberately distributing malware and computer viruses is a crime. In most cases, because malware and viruses can affect people from outside the state, this can become a federal crime. Depending on the monetary value of the damage caused by this malware or viruses, this type of distribution can be punishable as a class 2 felony.

Piracy

We are warned at the beginning of every film that it is a federal offense to reproduce any movie or music file and is punishable by law. If you choose to reproduce a movie or some music, this is called piracy. Games are also becoming increasingly popular in piracy, and in some cases, can lead to severe sentencing.

Contact a Cyber Crime Attorney

Technology is quite complicated, and the laws surrounding it can prove to be even more complex. To get the best representation and legal advice for cyber crimes, contact our firm today and get a  consultation today.

Defining Invasion Threat to Bodily Harm

You can only use force to defend yourself in case of a trespasser. However, you are only supposed to use as much force necessary to eliminate the threat. Since the line is a bit blurred and difficult to decipher, it would be best to hire an attorney if you have been part of an encounter such as trespassing.

Rational Fear

When analyzing whether or not you acted appropriately, the court will investigate the situation and see if your fear of the problem was rational and reasonable. This means that you have reason to be afraid for the well-being of others and yourself under any circumstances. Rational/Reasonable fear is assessed based on what a rational person would experience if put under the same pressure you faced. This can be a double-edged sword; in some cases, the fear is deemed unreasonable due to the standard of what others may have experienced. An experienced attorney can negotiate a better ruling for you, given the situation the trespasser put you in.

Hire a Utah Criminal Defense Attorney for your Self-Defense Cases

At no point should you undergo questioning without explicit advice from your attorney. You will have to inform the police officers that you intend to speak to an attorney before answering any questions. If you have already finished answering the initial questioning, it’s not too late to hire an attorney to help you with your case. Just be sure that you inform your attorney about everything you said during your questioning. This will help your lawyer develop the proceeding steps of your case. Include any essential details of your case, even if you think it’s insignificant, in your consultation with an attorney. Bring any documentation related to the incident, including police reports, medical records of any injuries sustained, and more. Call an experienced attorney at Utah Criminal Defense Attorneys today to receive a consultation.

• “operate a vehicle in willful or wanton disregard for the safety of persons or property” (see Utah Code 41-6a-528(1)(a)), or you can
• commit “three or more moving traffic violations . . . in a series of acts occurring within a single continuous period of driving covering three miles or less in total distance.” (see Utah Code 41-6a-528(1)(b)).

Reckless driving charges were explained.

The term “willful” means that the driver’s conduct was intentional, “wanton” means that these actions were done with disregard to the potential consequences. Essentially, the vehicle’s driver is operating; it is such a way that it poses a danger to the safety of other drivers and pedestrians. Examples of moving traffic violations include speeding, driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol, or running a red light.

What can happen with a reckless driving arrest?

First-time offenders can be subject to up to 6 months of jail time and $1000 in fines. Moreover, your license can be suspended for up to 3 months at the recommendation of the judge. Second-time offenders can face a mandatory 12-month license suspension. Each reckless driving conviction will also add 80 demerit points to the person’s driving record. Remember that accumulating 200 points in three years can also lead to a license suspension.

Utah law does allow for plea bargaining in reckless driving cases. If you or a loved one has been charged, it is best to speak with a reckless driving defense attorney to learn more about your options. If you have been charged or arrested around Salt Lake City, contact The Ault Firm at 801-987-8409 to request a case review. 

LAWFUL INTERPRETATION OF A WEAPON

Under most legislation, a “dangerous weapon” can be described in two categories:

• A firearm, whether loaded or unloaded; or
• A knife, bludgeon, or any various other weapons, gadgets, instrument, material, or substance, whether animate or inanimate, that, in the manner, it is made use of, or meant to be used, is capable of creating death or serious physical injury.

From this interpretation, we can figure out that any gun (even unloaded weapons) are deadly weapons. As a result, a gun without any bullets is technically a fatal weapon under regulation.

After establishing that guns are weapons, every other thing’s “weapon status” relies on exactly how the item is possessed. If someone attempts to harm a person with a blade, it can be considered a weapon based on the attack’s evidence.

” MANNER OF USAGE” CONDITION

As composed in the meaning of a “lethal weapon,” we locate the expression, “fashion it is utilized.” By using this meaning, most of anything could be a weapon under the appropriate circumstances. For example, if a person smothers somebody else with a cushion, maybe argued that the pillow was an “unsafe weapon” based upon the method it was made of use.

Once you think through usage stipulation, you begin to realize that several everyday items could be lethal weapons under the best conditions.

PENALTIES RAISE WITH A HARMFUL WEAPON

The identification of an item as a “deadly weapon” could drastically affect a criminal instance. With a deadly weapon, an attack fee might become a worsened attack charge, a break-in charge, with a deadly weapon, can come to be an exacerbated burglary fee, and a sexual offense cost with a deadly weapon can become an aggravated sexual assault charge.

The worsened condition of these costs drastically raises the possible charges for the founded guilty, which is why the charged should always fight a product’s fatal weapon standing when possible.

ACCUSED OF POSSESSING A DANGEROUS WEAPON?

If you’re implicated in using a fatal weapon, hiring a seasoned criminal defense lawyer could assist your instance. A lawyer will certainly understand precisely how to paint the supposed illegal activity scene to call into question the prosecution’s arguments concerning an item’s “deadly tool” condition.

• Reporting regularly to a probation officer;
• Paying fines assessed by the court;
• Paying restitution ordered by the court;
• Appearing at required court appearances;
• Obeying the law;
• Not having contact with victims and co-defendants;
• Attending treatment classes for alcohol and drug abuse, mental health, parenting, or anger management/domestic violence;
• Community service;
• Drug and alcohol testing; and
• Not traveling or moving out of state unless approved in advance

Some things you might not think about are loitering around businesses, jaywalking, leaving the state you reside in, or even just leaving the city could be a direct violation of your probation, depending on restrictions the judge has laid out for you. You will want to ensure that you are keeping in close contact with your probation officer and attending all of the scheduled meetings for you. Some advice would be to make sure you have a reliable ride to all of your appointments. If you are driving yourself, make sure you keep your vehicle in good working conditions. You wouldn’t want to break down on the roadway when you have a scheduled appointment with your parole officer or a court hearing to be. Always make sure you have a backup plan in case the first one falls through. It might be a good idea to keep a written calendar for all of your appointments and court hearings if your phone fails to remind you or your device breaks. Keeping a log of everything in multiple places will help keep you on track. We are human, so we are bound to make a mistake here and there.

In most cases, your probation officer has a good understanding of that and maybe lenient on you. However, do not use that as an excuse to make it a habit of breaking your parole. While you might have a parole officer who works well with you, the judge may not understand. Even though we have all been encouraged to social distance in these weird, unprecedented times, it is essential to remember that there are specific individuals and places you may not be allowed in or around. If you believe something could violate your probation, you may want to consult with your probation officer before participating in the act. If you have broken your parole, you should contact your criminal defense attorney to review your options.

Fleeing From Police In Utah

Attempting to evade police may seem like an amusing thrill when you see it on television and movies. Still, it is a severe crime with very substantial penalties in Utah. If you try to run from police on foot or in a motor vehicle, you’ll be charged with attempting to evade a police officer. This carries significant penalties, but if a pedestrian or law enforcement officer were injured or killed as a result of your attempt to flee, penalties would be even more severe.

However, what exactly counts as fleeing? If a police officer asks a crowd to stand still and you walk away, is it fleeing? By law, you are considered fleeing if you fail to respond to an officer’s request to stop. In the situation previously mentioned, you’re probably not fleeing if you start to walk away, but if an officer spots you and yells, “You there, stop and come back here,” and you continue to walk or run away, you might be hit with a fleeing charge.

Fleeing on foot is considered a misdemeanor offense, punishable by up to 90 days in jail and fines up to $1,000. Because of the inherent risks of fleeing in a vehicle, Utah courts punish these cases more seriously. Attempting to flee in a motor vehicle is considered a felony offense, punishable by up to three years in jail and fines up to $5,000. A judge may go easier on you, depending on the situation. Fleeing and causing death carries a maximum of 40 years in jail and fines up to $80,000, so don’t risk everything by trying to run from police.