Recent Victories

Bugden & Isaacson, L.L.C., represents clients throughout Utah in an array of criminal matters, including white collar crimes, drug crimes, DUI, and sex offenses. Our attorneys also handle civil matters, including family law, business, and other civil litigation, and cases involving police misconduct. The following are recent victories by the firm:

DUI Victories:

In December 2011, Ms. Isaacson represented a client charged with DUI and open container. She won an acquittal in the Salt Lake City Justice Court on both counts. Her client blew a .179 on the intoxilyzer. Three Salt Lake City police officers, a civilian witness, and a trooper with the Utah Highway Patrol all testified against her client. Ms. Isaacson was able to persuade the jury that the breath test results were not reliable and that her client did not possess an open container.

Mr. Bugden convinced a judge that a driver pulling from the private parking lot onto a street did not violate any traffic laws by failing to signal upon entering the roadway. The judge agreed that the stop was illegal. The .179 breath test was thrown out, and the case was dismissed.

Sex Offenses:

In October 2011, Mr. Bugden and Ms. Isaacson successfully defended a client accused of five counts of Sodomy on a Child and one count of Aggravated Sexual Abuse of a Child, all first degree felonies that carry minimum mandatory prison terms. The case was presented to a jury who found their client not guilty on all counts.

In November 2011, the firm was able to persuade a prosecutor to dismiss a multi-count sexual abuse case at a preliminary hearing. Mr. Bugden, Ms. Isaacson, and Mr. Anderson argued that the accuser’s accounts were inconsistent and not credible.

The firm represented Warren Jeffs, the leader of the FLDS church. The State of Utah prosecuted Mr. Jeffs for rape as an accomplice. The state argued that because Mr. Jeffs performed the marriage ceremony of a 19-year-old man to a 15-year-old girl, he was an accomplice as a matter of law to non-consensual sexual intercourse between the couple. A Washington County jury convicted Mr. Jeffs. On appeal, the Utah Supreme Court reversed the conviction. The state abandoned the prosecution against Mr. Jeffs and the case was dismissed.

Drug cases:

Mr. Bugden recently persuaded the Salt Lake County Attorney's office to not file charges against two women transporting 43 pounds of marijuana in the trunk of their rental car. Mr. Bugden successfully argued that the 45-minute delay awaiting the arrival of a drug sniffing dog unlawfully extended the detention longer than was necessary for a minor traffic stop.

Stalking Injunctions:

Mr. Anderson recently succeeded—during an evidentiary hearing—at persuading a petitioner who was seeking a stalking injunction to abandon his efforts and pay Mr. Anderson’s client for attorney fees.

Employment Disputes:

Mr. Anderson recently succeeded in defending a school district employee against accusations of sexual harassment. The employee was reinstated to his position and received back pay for the time during which the case was pending.

Business Litigation:

In May 2011, Mr. Anderson successfully defended a corporation from hostile attempts to throw the business into receivership.

To learn more about our services or to speak with an experienced trial attorney, call Bugden & Isaacson, L.L.C. today at (801) 467-1700.