Have you or someone you know been involved with a criminal charge in the Pleasant Grove Justice Court? Chances are you are looking for an experienced criminal defense attorney that can guide you through the process of the Pleasant Grove courts and the charges made against you. In this article we will touch on the basics of the common criminal charges made in pleasant grove and what a Pleasant Grove Criminal Defense Attorney can do for you.
What Are Common Pleasant Grove Criminal Charges?
You can be charged by the city for a range of different criminal charges. Some of the common pleasant grove criminal charges include:
- Drug Possession and or Drug Paraphernalia Possession
- Domestic Violence
- Speeding/ Reckless Driving
- DUI / Impaired Driving
- Driving on No Insurance
- Driving on a Suspended or Denied License
- Assault & Battery
- Drugged Driving, Metabolite
- Drag Racing, Exhibition of Speed
- Disorderly Conduct
- Intoxication
- Minor in Possession of Alcohol
- Child Abuse
- Electronic Communications Harassment
- Interlock Violation
With a large array of different criminal charges that are prosecuted by the city prosecutor in the Pleasant Grove Criminal Courts, you will want to have a defense attorney who knows the specifics of each charge. This experienced knowledge will help your defense attorney defend you against any criminal charges in the best way possible.
What Happens if You Lose in a Pleasant Grove Criminal Court?
If you lose in a Pleasant Grove or Utah justice court, you can appeal your decision to the higher district court. The process of appealing justice court decisions are called “De Novo” appeals. Meaning, you request to go through the process all over again as you believe your verdict by the Pleasant Grove Criminal Court was unfair. Justice court De Novo (do it again) appeals are not like regular appeals where your case is heard on the recorded court transcript and the reviewing appellate court looks for errors effecting your rights. A justice court De Novo appeal is a complete re-do, and involve a completely new trial in the district court.
Justice court appeals are very helpful to people accused of Pleasant Grove criminal charges because you can get a preview of the case in the justice court first, and then your Pleasant Grove Criminal Defense Attorney will better now how to defend you in the district court if you lose. Not only do you get a second chance, but you have been able to previously see the prosecutor’s defenses and how witnesses react to your cross-examination.
Although double the costs, De Novo justice court appeals are often worth it. This is also a reason why you need an experienced Pleasant Grove Criminal Defense Attorney to advocate for you, advising you of ALL your legal options in criminal courts.
Jury Trials in the Pleasant Grove Justice Court
When bringing a Pleasant Grove criminal case in front of a jury, many couldn’t imagine not having a good Pleasant Grove Criminal Defense Attorney sitting by your side. Utah justice court jury trials are like regular district court jury trials, except only 3 jurors can vote on your verdict. Similar to district court juries, justice court jurors must find you guilty or innocent beyond a reasonable doubt and unanimously to make that verdict.
Pleasant Grove Criminal Defense Examples:
Example 1. You are pulled over in Pleasant Grove by the Pleasant Grove police department. The officer approaches the vehicle and smells marijuana coming from the rolled down car window. You admit to simple marijuana possession and a pipe.
Charges:
- Class A Misdemeanor, simple marijuana possession.
- Class B Misdemeanor, drug paraphernalia possession.
Possible Penalties: 120 driver’s license suspension, and or $683 fine, and or 12 months court probation and potentially a substance abuse evaluation and treatment follow through.
Example 2. You and your friends in fast red cars are revving your car motors on your awesome Ford Mustang and motorcycles. The light turns green on State street in Pleasant Grove and you accelerate through the green light. You are charged with speed exhibition/drag racing and failure to stop at the command of a police officer.
Charges:
- Class A Misdemeanor. Failure to Stop at Command of Police Officer. Utah Code Ann. 41-6a-2010 (2020).
- Class B. Misdemeanor. Speed Exhibition/Drag Racing. Utah Code Ann. 41-6a-606 (2020).
Court: Your case will be prosecuted in the Pleasant Grove Justice Court. Located in Pleasant Grove, Utah. The prosecutors and police department will be Pleasant Grove City.
Possible Penalties: Your license will be suspended for one year for your conviction of failure to stop at the command of a police officer. Your license will be suspended for 60 days for the speed contest conviction. You will likely have to attend traffic school and be placed on court probation for 12 months. The speed contest conviction has a $500 fine and the Class A failure to stop at the command of peace officer carries a fine up to $2,500.
Court: You will prosecuted in the American Fork Fourth Judicial District Court. Located in American Fork, Utah by the Pleasant Grove prosecuting attorney.
Questions? CONTACT PLEASANT GROVE CRIMINAL DEFENSE ATTORNEY JAKE GUNTER for a free, no-risk obligation and consultation for your Pleasant Grove criminal charges. Call now for a phone consultation at (801) 373-6345.
PLEASANT GROVE CRIMINAL DEFENSE RESOURCES:
Pleasant Grove Police Department
https://plgrove.org
PLEASANT GROVE CITY HALL
Phone: (801) 785-5045
70 SOUTH 100 EAST
PLEASANT GROVE, UT 84062
Pleasant Grove Justice Court
Phone: (801) 785-5045
70 SOUTH 100 EAST
PLEASANT GROVE, UT 84062
Pleasant Grove Fire Department
Phone: (801) 785-5045
70 SOUTH 100 EAST
PLEASANT GROVE, UT 84602
