Criminal Law Overview

Bugden & Isaacson, LLC is a Salt Lake City and Park City-based law firm known for providing aggressive advocacy and achieving outstanding results for criminal defendants in Utah.  We provide defense representation before state courts, federal courts, and administrative agencies, and are experienced in all of the following areas:

• Assault & Domestic Violence
• Computer & Internet Crimes
• Drug Crimes
• Drunk-Driving & DUI
• Juvenile Law
• Sex Offenses
• Weapons Crimes
• White Collar Crimes
• Other Felony Offenses

Assault & Domestic Violence

Bugden & Isaacson represents clients who have been charged with assault and domestic violence in Utah.  Whether you have been charged with abuse, aggravated assault, or were arrested after a domestic dispute, our experienced criminal defense lawyers can help you protect your rights.

In 2010, Ms. Isaacson persuaded a Third District Court judge to dismiss all charges against her client, including Criminal Mischief and Domestic Violence in the Presence of a Child after arguing that the property damaged was joint legal property and that the children were asleep when the incident occurred. 

In the Third District Court in 2010, Ms. Isaacson persuaded a Commissioner to vacate a previously issued a Protective Order against her client arguing that his wife was the aggressor in a domestic disturbance.  His wife had forcibly removed him from a house titled solely in his name. 

In 2010, in Cottonwood Heights, Ms. Isaacson represented a client who was accused of violating a protective order and was incarcerated as a result.  She was able to secure his release from jail on the eve of a four day holiday weekend and later persuaded the prosecutor not to file charges against her client.

In 2008, in the Holladay Justice Court, Ms. Isaacson obtained an acquittal for a client accused of domestic violence.  She persuaded the jury that the accusations were false and were being made to gain advantage in a divorce proceeding.

Ms. Isaacson has successfully defended a number of clients in jury trials involving accusations of domestic violence.

Computer & Internet Crimes

Bugden & Isaacson has represented numerous clients charged with "enticing a minor over the internet" in both state and federal courts.  In 2004, the firm represented a client in Ogden who was accused of soliciting an undercover officer over the Internet.  A jury found the client not guilty.  We believe that this is the only enticement case that has been won at trial.

In an enticement case prosecuted in federal court in 2005, we were able to reduce a recommended sentence of 48 months to 24 months.

We have represented dozens of clients accused of possessing child pornography.  Although child pornography cases are very difficult to defend given the current state of technology, our firm has relationships with computer experts who can assist in the defense of these types of cases.

Mr. Anderson represented a client in Iron County in 2010 who was accused of ten felony counts of possession child pornography.  Mr. Anderson was able to obtain complete dismissal of all counts against his client.

Juvenile Law

The juvenile justice system is quite different from the adult system.  When a juvenile is accused of a crime, probation reports and detention hearings greatly impact the eventual outcome of the case.  Even if the offense seems minor, there can be serious consequences that follow a child into adulthood.  Attorneys at Bugden & Isaacson can help families advocate for their children and place them in the best possible position to obtain a satisfactory outcome.

Weapons Crimes

At Bugden & Isaacson, our attorneys are experienced in a range of criminal law matters, including weapons crimes.  Depending on the facts and circumstances surrounding the charge, penalties for weapons crimes can vary widely.  For example, "carrying a concealed dangerous weapon" can be a misdemeanor or a felony, with sentences ranging from six months in jail to 15 years in prison. 

In 2010, Mr. Bugden and Ms. Isaacson represented a client in federal court who was indicted for possession of a firearm by a restricted person because of a domestic violence conviction.  We were able to persuade the judge to impose no jail or prison and to place our client on probation for one day. 

For more information on specific types of criminal charges, visit our pages about drug crimes, DUI, sex offenses, or white collar crimes.

Other Felony Offenses

In January of 2011, in Davis County, Ms. Isaacson obtained a dismissal of a Communication Fraud charge by successfully arguing that the prosecution had filed the charge too late and had not met the statute of limitations.

In 2009 the firm obtained a dismissal at preliminary hearing in Davis County on charges of Negligent Homicide, a third degree felony.  The attorneys successfully argued that the State could not meet the probable cause burden for the case to go forward.

Seek Experienced Legal Counsel

Whether you are being investigated or have been charged with a crime, there are many critical decisions to be made.  If you have not been charged and the police request an interview, you should always decline to be interviewed without a lawyer present.  Choices about how to proceed should only be made with the assistance of competent defense counsel.  Until you have consulted with competent counsel, you should assert your constitutional right to remain silent and to have the advice of counsel.  If our experienced trial attorneys get involved early in the process, we can often have an influence on whether and what kinds of charges are filed.  Once a charge is filed, we can employ many legal tactics to help put you in a better position at trial. 

To learn more about our services or to speak with an experienced criminal defense lawyer about your case, contact Bugden & Isaacson, LLC today at (801) 467-1700.