find attorney who charges $500 fee to defend paraphernalia possession charges in layton utah

by Citlalli Huels 4 min read

How do I get a drug paraphernalia charge dropped in Utah?

One of the most common ways to dismiss drug paraphernalia charges from a record is to prove that probable cause didn't exist. If a police officer pulled you over without stop or seizure of your person. The drug charge, in all probability, will be dismissed.

How much is a paraphernalia charge in Utah?

Possession of drug paraphernalia is a Class B misdemeanor, punishable by a maximum sentence of six (6) months in jail and a fine of up to $1,000. Sale of drug paraphernalia in Utah is a Class A misdemeanor, with a maximum sentence of up to one (1) year and a fine of up to $2,500.

Is paraphernalia a felony in Utah?

Any person 18 years of age or older who delivers drug paraphernalia to a person younger than 18 years of age and who is three years or more younger than the person making the delivery is guilty of a third degree felony....Title 58 Chapter 37a Section 5.IndexUtah CodeSection 5Unlawful acts.2 more rows

What is the punishment for a Class B misdemeanor in Utah?

Under Utah's laws, class B misdemeanors are punishable by up to six months in jail and a fine of up to $1,000. For example, an adult who knowingly furnishes alcohol to a minor can be convicted of a class B misdemeanor in Utah. (Utah Code Ann. §§ 76-3-204, 76-3-301 (2019).)

What is the penalty for possession of a controlled substance in Utah?

It is a third degree felony to possess Schedule I or II CDS. Penalties include a fine of up to $5,000, up to ten years in prison, or both. Second and subsequent convictions are second degree felonies, incurring a fine of up to $10,000, at least one (and up to 20) years in prison, or both.

Can a felon own a gun after 10 years in Utah?

Additionally, a person who has been convicted of a crime for which the penalty was enhanced due to the offense being “gang-related” may not possess a firearm or ammunition within a minimum of five years after the conviction.

What is considered drug paraphernalia in Utah?

Under Utah Code § 58-37a-3, paraphernalia is broadly defined to include “any equipment, product, or material used, or intended for use, to plant, propagate, cultivate, grow, harvest, manufacture, compound, convert, produce, process, prepare, test, analyze, package, repackage, store, contain, conceal, inject, ingest, ...

Are bongs illegal in Utah?

Utah Criminal law makes it illegal to possess drug paraphernalia. Possessing bongs, pipes, baggies, scales or other contraptions used to consume or distribute drugs is illegal in the State of Utah.

Can a first time misdemeanor be dismissed?

Depends. Some misdemeanors can be dismissed if the officer or complainant do not show. Fines would be applicable to traffic crimes and part of a guilty plea with a misdemeanor.

How long do misdemeanors stay on your record in Utah?

5 yearsRecord Expungement Eligibility Misdemeanors under the Utah Traffic Code: 10 years. Felonies under the Utah Controlled Substance Act: 10 years. Other felonies: 7 years. Class A misdemeanors: 5 years.

What is the lowest class of misdemeanor?

Class CThe least serious misdemeanors are classified as Class C or Level Three. These crimes can result in fines and jail time of up to a year, and may also offer the chance of probation. The federal criminal code and the criminal laws of every state divide crimes into two levels, felonies and misdemeanors.

Do lawyers charge retainers?

Sometimes lawyers may charge a retainer if they find themselves in high demand. Other lawyers who work more quickly and efficiently may see no need for charging you a retainer fee. Call different lawyers in your area to see if retainers are standard practice for your particular case.

How much does an attorney charge per hour?

Attorney fees typically range from $100 to $300 per hour based on experience and specialization. Costs start at $100 per hour for new attorneys, but standard attorney fees for an expert lawyer to handle a complex case can average $225 an hour or more.

Do paralegals pay more than legal research?

For example, a court appearance often costs more than legal research time. Besides that, the same younger paralegals who may do the majority of research receive lower wages than senior associates who conduct interviews and present the case before a judge.

What happens if you don't pay a flat fee?

However, if you don't comply with every single term listed on the flat fee contract, then your attorney still has the right to bill you for additional costs that may come up in your case. For instance, a flat fee lawyer working on an uncontested divorce case may still charge you for all court appearances.

What is retainer fee?

An attorney retainer fee can be the initial down payment toward your total bill, or it can also be a type of reservation fee to reserve an attorney exclusively for your services within a certain period of time. A retainer fee is supposed to provide a guarantee of service from the lawyer you've hired.

What is contingency fee?

An attorney contingency fee is only typical in a case where you're claiming money due to circumstances like personal injury or workers' compensation. You're likely to see attorney percentage fees in these situations to average around a third of the total legal settlement fees paid to the client.

What is statutory fee?

A statutory fee is a payment determined by the court or laws which applies to your case. You'll encounter a fixed statutory fee when dealing with probate or bankruptcy, for example.

Sample Attorney Fees

The initial consultation is free. I am not the cheapest nor am I the most expensive attorney; I strive to charge a fair price for my legal services and experience. You should ask any attorney that you interview about his or her experience.

Drug Cases

The retainer for a possession of marijuana charge is $250. No other additional attorney fee will be assessed unless the case is tried. Felony drug charges resolved in Jefferson District Court have a $2,500 retainer. Charges prosecuted in circuit court will require a higher retainer. Trials will also be at an additional cost.

Traffic Offenses

I charge $100 for speeding charges less than 26 mph. Traffic offenses can range from $100 to $1,000 if the case is resolved without a hearing or trial. Attorney fees for trials are always higher. The retainer for a first-offense DUI is between $500 and $2,500 depending on the seriousness of the underlying charges.

Warrant And Assault

Warrant and assault cases usually require a $500 to $2,000 retainer depending on the client's criminal history. If the case is tried, the attorney fees will increase as they would for any other attorney.

Do criminal defense lawyers have to pay upfront?

It has always been common for lawyers to require payment up front, but over the last several years that has started to change. Today, many criminal defense attorneys have recognized the need for financial assistance and offer payment plans to their clients.

How much does a lawyer charge for possession of marijuana in Florida?

Possession of marijuana. Many lawyers in Central Florida will charge anywhere between $2000 and $3,500 for a first-degree misdemeanor. You can also hire a cheap lawyer for just under $1,000, or go with a more experienced attorney at $5,000 or more.

How much does a lawyer charge for a misdemeanor in Florida?

Resisting arrest without violence. Possession of marijuana. Many lawyers in Central Florida will charge anywhere between $2000 and $3,500 for a first-degree misdemeanor. You can also hire a cheap lawyer for just under $1,000, or go with a more experienced attorney at $5,000 or more.

Do criminal defense attorneys offer payment plans?

Today, many criminal defense attorneys have recognized the need for financial assistance and offer payment plans to their clients. Usually, those payment plans will depend on whether it’s a felony or a misdemeanor.

How long does it take to get a lawyer to pay for a misdemeanor?

The lawyer in a misdemeanor case will typically ask for a 1-3 month payment plan and in some cases, they will extend it out to six months. On a felony case, payment plans will normally be a little longer as the estimated length of a felony case will take roughly 3 months – 1 year.

How to choose a criminal defense lawyer?

Choosing the Best Criminal Lawyer For Your Charges. Make sure that you are upfront and honest with your attorney about what you can afford and make sure that you find a criminal defense attorney that’s within your budget. However, just realize that not all lawyers are created equal. Remember, to a lawyer, time is money.

What happens if a lawyer charges less per case?

If the lawyer charges less per case then it’s very likely the lawyer is going to have a large caseload to generate income and will not be able to give much attention to your case. Take, for example, the public defender’s office.

Why choose us to represent your criminal case?

When you are being accused of violating a crime, you want an experienced trial lawyer on your side. Our firm has been successful in defending clients facing criminal charges for more than 25 years, including winning acquittals in murder, rape and kidnapping criminal cases in Utah.

Know Your Rights

Let us answer your legal questions. We offer free consultations and case evaluations in most specialty areas. Learn your rights and options BEFORE you hire a lawyer!

Do clients pay contingency fees?

In most cases clients should expect to pay these types of mandatory fees and costs. In contingency fees, a client is usually only responsible for these costs if they are successful, in which case these costs are taken out of the amount of money recovered.

Why do attorneys charge different fees?

Some attorneys charge different amounts for different types of work, billing higher rates for more complex work and lower rates for easier tasks .

What are the costs of a lawsuit?

Some common legal fees and costs that are virtually inescapable include: 1 Cost of serving a lawsuit on an opposing party; 2 Cost of filing lawsuit with court; 3 Cost of filing required paperwork, like articles forming a business, with the state; 4 State or local licensing fees; 5 Trademark or copyright filing fees; and 6 Court report and space rental costs for depositions.

What are the biggest concerns when hiring a lawyer?

Attorney fees and costs are one of the biggest concerns when hiring legal representation. Understanding how attorneys charge and determining what a good rate is can be confusing.

What factors determine if a lawyer's fees are reasonable?

Factors considered in determining whether the fees are reasonable include: The attorney’s experience and education; The typical attorney fee in the area for the same services; The complexity of the case; The attorney’s reputation; The type of fee arrangement – whether it is fixed or contingent;

What expenses do clients have to pay for a lawyer?

Clients may also be responsible for paying some of the attorney or law firm’s expenses including: Travel expenses like transportation, food, and lodging; Mail costs, particularly for packages sent return receipt requested, certified, etc; Administrative costs like the paralegal or secretary work.

What is flat rate legal fees?

Flat rate legal fees are when an attorney charges a flat rate for a set legal task. The fee is the same regardless of the number of hours spent or the outcome of the case. Flat rates are increasingly popular and more and more attorneys are willing to offer them to clients.