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When someone is arrested for stealing or damaging property, the consequences can include orders to pay restitution, confinement in jail, and other penalties. The severity of the penalties often depends on the value of the property in question and the presence of aggravating factors. Anyone facing these types of charges can rely on a Draper property crimes lawyer to protect their rights and pursue an outcome that safeguards their freedom.
The criminal defense team at Blackley & Wingad represents clients who have been accused of stealing or damaging property in Draper. We understand the complexities of these cases and how to develop strong defense strategies that can lead to favorable outcomes for our clients. Our firm focuses on criminal law, so we understand the challenges our clients face and how to help them contest property crime accusations.
Experience matters in these types of cases, and our team of former public defenders brings decades of combined legal experience. We take the time to carefully listen to our client’s account of events and thoroughly review the evidence to find where law enforcement may have made missteps or come to inaccurate conclusions. Then, we can move forward to zealously protect our clients’ rights and freedom with the right approach to contesting their charges.
Property crimes can happen in Suncrest, South Mountain, Corner Canyon, and elsewhere in Draper. These offenses involve taking, damaging, or interfering with someone else’s property, with punishments ranging from misdemeanors to felonies. There are more than 1,000 businesses in Draper, and certain property crimes involve theft of merchandise.
Burglary is another offense under this category and involves entering a building or structure with the intent to commit a crime. A suspect can be arrested even when nothing was taken. What matters in these types of cases is intent. The violent crime rate in Draper is 2.349 per 1,000 residents in a typical year, and robberies contribute to those numbers. What sets robbery apart is the use of violence or threats to obtain possession of someone else’s property.
Other property crimes include criminal mischief, arson, trespassing, and possession of stolen property. The penalties for these types of crimes can include fines, orders to pay restitution to victims, and potential confinement in jail or prison. The consequences of a conviction depend on the value of the stolen property, the suspect’s prior criminal history, and any aggravating factors tied to the incident.
Certain property crimes may lead to an immediate arrest if law enforcement witnesses the crime or responds to a call reporting criminal activity. An arrest may also follow a lengthy investigation based on past police reports. When a property owner calls law enforcement to report stolen or damaged property, the police may begin reviewing photographs, surveillance footage, witness statements, and other forms of evidence to locate the suspect.
An ongoing investigation could include a close look at fingerprints, DNA evidence, and trace materials left at the scene of a crime. Searches may be conducted online as police officers look at online marketplaces for signs that the stolen products may have surfaced. Pawn shop databases can also reveal stolen material. Once interviews with the victim and potential witnesses are conducted, the search may lead to one or a handful of suspects.
A search warrant may be requested to allow the police to look for the stolen property or signs of stolen property at the suspect’s home or another area. Once there is sufficient evidence to show probable cause, the suspect or suspects may be arrested and transported to Salt Lake County Metro Jail for booking and processing. A conviction could lead to confinement at Utah State Correctional Facility or another long-term housing complex for convicted criminals.
The right defense strategy can protect a defendant from becoming one of the roughly 13,000 people in Utah currently serving time behind bars in prison or jail. Prosecutors must prove that a crime was committed and that the accused individual was the one who perpetrated that offense. Criminal intent may also play a role in shaping the outcome of these cases.
After reviewing the evidence, a defense attorney can explore whether the prosecutors have enough evidence to link their client to the crime. Without compelling evidence, the state’s case may not be able to meet its burden of proof. If there is evidence linking the suspect to the crime, a defense lawyer can independently look into the value of the damaged or stolen property to see if it matches what the prosecutors are claiming.
The decision to hire a property crimes lawyer can make a meaningful difference in the outcome of a criminal case. Utah’s property crime laws carry heavy consequences for anyone convicted of stealing or damaging someone else’s property. A Draper property crimes attorney can shield their client from heavy property crime penalties by exploring established or novel defense strategies to find the right approach to contesting the allegations.
Attorneys are skilled investigators who can independently look into the alleged incidents to see if any laws were actually broken. They can also determine if the property’s value has been accurately calculated. If the defendant was misidentified as the suspect or did not act with criminal intent, a defense lawyer can take steps to have the charges reduced or dropped. When needed, a defendant’s lawyer can take a case to court to seek an acquittal for the case.
Facing property crime charges can jeopardize your freedom and reputation. Blackley & Wingad can provide you with the results-driven representation that your case deserves. Our trial-ready defense attorneys bring decades of combined legal experience to these matters and can take the time to explore every viable defense strategy for your case.
Our top priority is shielding you from the consequences of a life-altering conviction. At every step of the process, our legal team can remain in close communication so you are never left in the dark on important developments and updates. Take the first step today bycontacting our office to secure the exceptional legal representation that your case deserves.
Fighting criminal charges. Safeguarding families. Delivering results.
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