Blog | Collins Rupp, P.C. | Utah

What Is Unlawful Sexual Conduct With a Minor in Utah?

2026-09-14 00:00:00

Unlawful sexual conduct with a minor is a specific Utah crime that applies when a person who is seven or more years older than a 16- or 17-year-old engages in certain sexual conduct with that minor. It is different from other sex offenses because it focuses heavily on the age gap between the two people involved. Utah has separate laws that apply to sexual activity or sexual touching involving younger minors, including 14- and 15-year-olds.

If you are facing this charge in 2026, our Salt Lake City sex crimes defense lawyer can help you understand exactly what the state has to prove and talk about the defenses that apply to your case.

What Does Utah Law Say About Unlawful Sexual Conduct With a Minor?

Under Utah Code Section 76-5-401.2, a person commits this crime if they are seven or more years older than a minor who is 16 or 17 years old. It lists specific sexual conduct with that minor, as long as the situation does not already amount to a more serious offense like rape or forcible sexual abuse.

What Are the Penalties for Drug Possession in Utah?

2026-08-25 00:00:00

Penalties for drug possession in Utah vary depending on the type of substance, the amount in some cases, and a person's prior convictions. Simple possession can range from a Class B misdemeanor to a second-degree felony under current Utah law.

If you're facing this type of charge in 2026, our Davis County, UT criminal defense lawyers can help you understand what you're up against and build a strong defense.

How Does Utah Classify Controlled Substances?

Under Utah Code Section 58-37-108, controlled substances are organized into five schedules. The schedule of the substance can affect the severity of a possession charge.

Under Utah Code § 76-18-207, it is illegal to knowingly possess or use a controlled substance unless it is legally authorized, such as through a valid prescription. Penalties depend on the drug, the amount, and prior convictions. Charges can range from a Class B misdemeanor to a second-degree felony.

What Makes a Sexual Assault Charge Aggravated in Utah?

2026-08-11 00:00:00

A sexual assault charge becomes aggravated in Utah when certain factors are present during the offense. Using a weapon or causing serious bodily injury to the victim are common examples. These aggravating factors can turn an already serious charge into one carrying dramatically harsher penalties.

If you're facing an aggravated sexual assault charge in 2026, our Salt Lake City criminal defense lawyers can help you understand what the state has to prove. Together, we can work on a defense strategy that best suits the details of your case.

How Does Utah Define Aggravated Sexual Assault?

Under Utah Code Section 76-5-405, aggravated sexual assault applies when certain aggravating circumstances accompany these offenses: rape, object rape, forcible sodomy, forcible sexual abuse, or an attempt to commit one of these offenses. Depending on the underlying offense, aggravating circumstances can include:

Did Police Have the Right to Search My Car During a DUI Stop?

2026-07-24 00:00:00

Police only have the right to search your car during a DUI stop under specific circumstances. Searches conducted outside the boundaries may be challenged in court. Feeling like an officer went through your vehicle without a real justification is unsettling, but we explain how it may affect your case. If you’re facing a DUI charge in 2026, our Davis County, UT DUI defense lawyers will review the details of your stop. We’ll help you understand whether the search that led to your charges was actually legal.

What Constitutional Protection Applies to Car Searches in Utah?

The Fourth Amendment protects you from unreasonable searches and seizures. This protection extends to your vehicle just as it does to your home. The rules are somewhat different for cars, though, given their mobility.

Can I Get My Drug Charge Dismissed in Utah?

2026-07-10 00:00:00

It is possible to have drug charges dismissed in Utah. The state has to prove every element of the offense beyond a reasonable doubt. With the right attorney, you can access legal strategies that might lead to a dismissal or a significant reduction in charges. If you are facing a drug charge in 2026 and wondering whether there is a way out, the Salt Lake City drug crimes defense lawyers at Collins Rupp, P.C. can help you build the most appropriate defense for your case.

Did Police Violate the Law During the Investigation in Your Drug Case?

Before police can search you, your house, or your car, they generally need a warrant or a legally recognized reason to search without one. That protection comes from the Fourth Amendment. When officers skip that requirement and search anyway, the evidence they find may not be allowed in court.

Can You Avoid Prison for a Utah Sex Crime?

2026-06-25 00:00:00

Some Utah sex crime charges carry mandatory prison sentences that leave very little room for any other outcome. Others may allow for different results depending on your history, the circumstances of the offense, and what your attorney can accomplish on your behalf. If you are facing a sex crime charge in 2026, the Davis County, UT criminal defense lawyers at our firm can help you understand what you are up against.

What Are the Most Common Sex Crime Charges in Utah?

Utah law covers many different offenses under the category of sex crimes. How serious the charge is and what the penalties are depend on the specific offense, the age of the alleged victim, and other details about what happened.

Common sex crime charges in Utah include:

Rape (Utah Code Section 76-5-402) is a first-degree felony carrying five years to life in prison.

How Do I Fight a DUI Charge in Utah?

2026-06-11 00:00:00

Fighting a DUI charge in Utah starts with understanding that being charged is not the same as being convicted. There are ways to challenge the evidence, question how the stop was handled, and push back on the results of sobriety tests and chemical tests. If you are facing a DUI charge in 2026, the Salt Lake City, UT DUI defense lawyers at Collins Rupp, P.C. can review the details of your arrest and help you build a defense.

What Is the Legal Standard for DUI in Utah?

Utah has one of the strictest DUI laws in the country. Under Utah Code Section 41-6a-502, it is illegal to operate a vehicle with a blood alcohol concentration of 0.05 or higher. That is lower than the 0.08 limit used in most other states. It means you can be over the legal limit in Utah after fewer drinks than you might expect.

Can You Face Drug Distribution Charges Without Selling Anything?

2026-05-26 00:00:00

In Utah, you do not have to sell drugs to be charged with drug distribution. You do not even have to hand anything to anyone. If the police find drugs on you and the amount or circumstances suggest you planned to share or sell them, that may be enough for prosecutors to pursue a distribution-related charge. If you are dealing with this situation in 2026, our Davis County drug crimes defense lawyers can help you understand what the charge actually means and how to fight it.

Under Utah Code Section 58-37-8(5), it is illegal not just to distribute drugs, but also to possess drugs with the intent to distribute them. Utah law includes both distribution and possession with intent to distribute in the same prohibited-acts statute, so the penalties can be just as serious even if no completed sale occurred.

Can You Be Charged With a Sex Crime Without Physical Evidence in Utah?

2026-05-10 00:00:00

You can be charged with a sex crime in Utah without any physical evidence. Utah prosecutors can and do pursue sex crime charges based primarily or entirely on the testimony of the alleged victim. That means a charge can be filed, and a conviction can happen, based on one person's word against another's. If you are facing a sex crime charge without physical evidence in 2026, our Salt Lake City sex crimes defense lawyers can help you understand what the state has and how to build a strong defense.

How Can a Sex Crime Case in Utah Move Forward Without Physical Evidence?

Under Utah Code § 76-5-402, rape involves sexual intercourse without the individual's consent. Utah law does not require physical evidence to charge or convict someone of a sex crime. What the state needs is enough evidence to convince a jury beyond a reasonable doubt that each element of the offense occurred. In many cases, prosecutors believe the testimony of the alleged victim alone is enough to meet that standard.

When Is an Ignition Interlock Device Required in Utah?

2026-04-24 00:00:00

An ignition interlock device is a small breathalyzer that is installed in your car and connected to the ignition, not allowing the car to start until the driver successfully passes a test. In Utah, ignition interlock devices are required in many DUI cases, and the rules around when they are mandatory have gotten stricter in recent years. If you are facing a DUI charge in 2026 and want to understand how this device could affect your life and your ability to drive, Collins Rupp, P.C. can help. Our Davis County, UT DUI defense lawyers can explain how the device works and what it means for your driving privileges.

How Does an Ignition Interlock Device Work?

Once the device is installed, you have to blow into it before the engine will start. Most devices also require what are called rolling retests, which are breath samples taken at random times while the car is moving. If you fail a retest or do not provide one when asked, the device logs it and reports it. It will not shut the car off while you are driving. However, the violation goes on your record with the monitoring provider and gets reported to the court.