Salt Lake City Criminal Defense Attorney
Vetted by Attorney at Law Magazine
Ready to Win in Salt Lake City
Joseph E. Wrona
Attorney at Law Magazine's Salt Lake City Criminal Defense Local Legal Authority.
Knowledgeable & Reliable
Contributor to Attorney at Law Magazine
Vetted by Attorney at Law Magazine
Ready to Win in Salt Lake City
Knowledgeable & Reliable
Contributor to Attorney at Law Magazine
Who is Joseph E. Wrona?
While a student in law school, Joe Wrona began working for the Sierra Club Legal Defense Fund in Juneau, Alaska on some of the nation’s largest environmental litigation, including the Exxon Valdez oil spill actions. He returned to Alaska after law school and associated with the Anchorage law firm of Birch, Horton, Bittner & Cherot, before being named an Assistant District Attorney, and then Dillingham District Attorney for the State of Alaska. During his years as a felony prosecutor, Mr. Wrona came to feel at home in the courtroom.
In 1999, he returned to Utah to open a private law practice in Park City. He quickly became one of Park City’s busiest and most successful litigators, appearing in a broad range of cases involving complex real estate development and construction matters, contract and tort claims, as well as criminal defense. Wrona DuBois Law Firm has grown under his supervision to include multiple attorneys with diverse practice areas working from Wrona DuBois Law Firm’s offices in Park City, Heber City and Draper.
Articles published on attorneyatlawmagazine.com about "Criminal Defense"
Recommended by the Salt Lake City Community
About Salt Lake City Criminal Defense Law
If you or your loved one is facing a criminal charge, it can be a nerve-wracking and intimidating time. Given the complexity of criminal laws and the potentially severe consequences, an experienced Salt Lake City criminal lawyer is essential to navigating through this uncertain time.
Below we have provided some basic information about Salt Lake City criminal law, including when and how a Salt Lake City criminal defense attorney in can be most useful.
What Are Criminal Charges?
At its simplest, an individual is facing criminal charges when they have committed a crime. A crime is any act committed or omitted that violates a public law. The laws of Utah will define these forbidden acts. All crimes will generally fall into one of the following categories:
- Felony: Felonies are the most severe level of crime, generally punishable by imprisonment for more than a year, in addition to any fines. Examples of crimes that are considered felonies include murder, arson, and rape.
- Misdemeanor: Misdemeanors are lesser crimes, generally resulting in prison sentences of less than a year and lesser fines. Examples of misdemeanors include trespassing and vandalism.
- Infraction: Infractions are minor or petty crimes that normally do not result in jail time. Examples include speeding or running a red light.
While each of the above categories of crimes come with different punishments, each can have a significant impact on an individual’s life.
How a Salt Lake City Criminal Defense Attorney Can Help
If you are facing criminal charges, you should contact a Criminal Defense attorney in Salt Lake City as soon as possible. Regardless of whether you have committed some wrongdoing or if you are completely innocent, a licensed legal practitioner will be an invaluable resource throughout the criminal process.
A criminal lawyer in Salt Lake City can assist in all facets of the criminal process, including:
- Ensure Your Rights are Protected. You may have heard the recitation of Miranda rights in movies or TV shows – including the right to an attorney. This is considered an essential right to those facing criminal charges because an attorney can ensure a charged individual receives all the rights they are due under the law.
- Understand the Legal Process. Criminal attorneys know the ins and outs of the legal process for criminal cases. They can assist you in any preliminary hearings, ensure your bail is set at a reasonable amount, and confirm that all legal procedures are being properly followed by the police and the prosecutor.
- Create Defense Strategy. Lawyers who work in Salt Lake City criminal law have significant experience strategizing the most effective way to handle a case. This often includes striking deals with the prosecution and securing lesser sentences.
- Understand Case Precedent. One important tool in a successful criminal case is past case law. If there are past cases where a similarly situated defendant overcame criminal charges, an attorney can use this to persuade a judge or jury that you should see the same result.
As you or your loved one determines next steps for handling criminal charges, an Salt Lake City Criminal Defense attorney will be an invaluable asset. The criminal legal process can present unexpectedly complicated twists and turns, where a wrong step could result in serious limitations on your personal liberty.
