A domestic violence conviction can have long-term harmful effects.

Domestic violence is a violent crime. When a person is convicted of a violent crime, they can expect social stigma, decreased trust by the community, and to have less appeal to employers. In addition, they are subject to the secondary penalties that attach to a domestic violence conviction. These are called collateral consequences.

Unlike jail or prison time, fines and probation, these are not the direct effects of a conviction. However, they have a serious impact on the person's life and freedom.

A domestic violence case almost never has a clearly innocent party, or a clearly guilty one. If you or a family member has been charged with domestic violence, it is important that you call us right away. Our defense attorneys will begin working to resolve the case, try to get the charges dismissed, and protect the rights of the accused.

If you are accused of one of these offenses against someone you live with, it can be charged as domestic violence.

In Utah, "domestic violence" is a crime - usually violent - committed by one cohabitant against another. In order for the crime to be charged as domestic violence, it must have been committed against someone you are - or have previously been - living with. You can be accused of domestic violence if you physically harm another person that you are living with, or if you threaten to physically harm them, or if you get someone else to do it for you.

• Burglary (Utah Code Ann. §76-6-202)
• Aggravated Burglary (Utah Code Ann. §76-6-203)
• Burglary of a Vehicle (Utah Code Ann. §76-6-204)
• Manufacture or Possession of an Instrument for Burglary or Theft (Utah Code Ann. §76-6-205)
• Criminal Trespass (Utah Code Ann. §76-6-206)
• Arson (Utah Code Ann. §76-6-102)
• Aggravated Arson (Utah Code Ann. §76-6-103)
• Reckless Burning (Utah Code Ann. §76-6-104)
• Abandoned Fire (Utah Code Ann. §76-6-104.5)
• Causing a Catastrophe (Utah Code Ann. §76-6-105)
• Criminal Mischief (Utah Code Ann. §76-6-105)
• Graffiti (Utah Code Ann. §76-6-107)
• Damage to, or Interruption of, a Communication Device (Utah Code Ann. §76-6-108)