Without poking too much fun at the state legislature, today we’re going to cover a crime that probably doesn’t occur too often—disrupting a Utah funeral or memorial service. Believe it or not, this crime is on the Utah law books, and you could spend time in jail if you’re found guilty of committing this offense.
Photo: GSofV
Disrupting a Utah Funeral
You might be found guilty of a class B misdemeanor if you, with a plan to disrupt the Utah funeral or memorial service, do any of the following during the 60 minutes right before the service starts or in the 60 minutes immediately following the service:
• obstruct, hinder, impede or block another person’s entry to or exit from the memorial site
• obstruct, hinder, impede or block a funeral procession
• make unreasonable noise or
• engage in disruptive activity within 200 feet of the memorial service
Activities to Avoid at a Funeral
We know you can’t wait to find out what “disruptive activity” includes. The law lists:
• a loud or disruptive oration or speech that isn’t part of the memorial service
• displaying a placard, banner, poster, flag or other item that isn’t part of the service
• distributing any handbill, pamphlet, leaflet or other written material or item that isn’t part of the service
Although we don’t recommend it, apparently you can do any of the above-listed things anytime outside the specified timeframe. To be on the safe side, though, keep your disruptive activities to yourself.
Discuss Your Case with a Utah Criminal Defense Attorney
Even though you aren’t likely to be arrested for breaking the Utah funeral and memorial service law, if you find yourself in legal trouble it’s best to talk to a Utah criminal defense attorney.
Utah Governor Gary R. Herbert took a bold step today and issued an executive order repealing the death penalty in the State of Utah. Governor Herbert stated: “It just made economic sense to repeal the death penalty considering how costly it is to execute an inmate and how the State of Utah could better use those limited government resources.” However, the Governor’s move is not without criticism. Michael Hamilton, a Utah tea party member stated: “The Governor’s repealing of the death penalty is an abomination. I can’t believe the State of Utah is even considering stopping executing its citizens. What’s next? Free lattes and muffins at the Utah State Prison.”
Due to the criticism Governor Herbert’s office issued a clarification on his executive order repealing the death penalty in Utah. The Governor stated: “What do the citizens of Utah really want? Do they want more teachers in the classroom? Lower taxes? More money to fund road projects, create jobs and keep our environment clean? Or do we want to spend millions of taxpayer dollars to support the death penalty and kill someone who will just spend the rest of his life in prison anyway?”
Governor Herbert also revealed the second component of his executive order. Instead of the death penalty, those convicted of murder and given capital punishment must now watch David Hasselhoff’s Hooked on a Feeling Video on a 24 hour loop. There is no doubt that this punishment will reduce crime in Utah.”
Ms. Ima B. Free of the Utah branch of the American Civil Liberties Union immediately bashed the Governor’s plan as Unconstitutional. “We are excited about the repeal of the death penalty in Utah, but making inmates watch a David Hasselhoff video all day and all night is certainly cruel and unusual punishment. The Eighth Amendment to the United States Constitution states that “cruel and unusual punishments [shall not be] inflicted.” Ms. Free then argued that the U.S. Supreme Court clearly stated in Furman v. Georgia, 408 U.S. 238, that punishment that is “patently unnecessary” and “degrading to human dignity” would be struck down by the court. It is clear that forcing an inmate to view David Hasselhoff videos is “degrading to human diginity, unnecessary punishment and too harsh to even use on prisoners in Guantanamo Bay.” Utah Criminal Defense Attorney Clayton Simms stated that “forcing inmates to watch Hasselhoff videos is absolutely Unconstitutional, but more of an immediate concern would be the prison rioting.”
The David Hasselhoff video the Governor Herbert wants to force inmates to watch is below.
Some thieves recently took on what had to be one of their toughest crimes: stealing from the Girl Scouts. No, they didn’t take any delicious cookies (although who could blame them if they did), just the cash box sitting out on the Girl Scouts’ table.
Photo: Michael Dorausch
Keep Your Cookies–We Want the Cash
The girls were selling cookies in front of a Taylorsville Wal-Mart when the alleged thieves—a man and a woman—drove up. The man got out of the car, ostensibly to buy cookies, but grabbed the Girl Scouts’ cash box instead. He hopped back into the vehicle, and the thieves were on their way.
A woman has been arrested for investigation of theft in the cookie cash case. Police believe they also know who her accomplice is and are on the lookout for him. Security video and tips from the public helped police identify the alleged thieves.
Law enforcement noted that people who are selling items, whether Girl Scout cookies or junk at a yard sale, need to be cautious with their cash. They suggest keeping a small amount on hand and making regular bank deposits to deter potential thieves.
Hefty Penalties for Theft
We’ve covered the penalties for theft previously on this blog, but we want to remind you what stealing might cost you in terms of jail or prison time.
Class A misdemeanor—up to 1 year
Class B misdemeanor—up to 6 months
Class C misdemeanor—up to 90 days
Any criminal charge warrants an immediate call to an experienced, respected Utah criminal defense attorney. You need and deserve top legal representation regardless of the accusations against you. Make the right move and talk to a Utah criminal defense attorney today.
If you live or travel within the boundaries of Sandy City, we want to make sure you’re aware of the following water and bike violations—because someone must have thought it necessary that these vital laws be addressed.
Photo: Don LaVange
Water Violations
It is against the law in Sandy City to take water out of turn or injure water facilities. We’ll explain in more detail exactly what these violations mean.
The law states that any person who willfully turns or uses the water (or any part thereof) of any
• Canal
• Ditch
• Pipeline
• Reservoir
except at a time specifically allotted to that person is guilty of a class B misdemeanor. It’s also a class B misdemeanor to willfully use more water than you’re allowed.
You also cannot change the flow of water designated for irrigation or other useful purposes unless you’re authorized. Additionally, don’t willfully and maliciously break or injure any
• Dam
• Canal
• Pipeline
• Water gate
• Ditch
or other method of transporting water unless you want to be charged with a class B misdemeanor.
Bicycle Violations—Parking on Sidewalks or Roadways
First, we thought it important to tell you what is allowed when parking your bicycle. It’s okay to park a bike:
• On a sidewalk, unless prohibited or restricted by an official traffic control device
• On a sidewalk as long as it doesn’t get in the way of pedestrians or other traffic
• At any angle to the curb or edge on a roadway anywhere parking is allowed
• By other bikes near the side of a roadway where parking is allowed
Make sure you don’t park your bicycle on a roadway where it will get in the way of a legally parked auto. Besides being against the law, your bike might get run over.
Talk to a Utah criminal defense attorney if you’ve been charged with breaking any of these (or other) laws. It’s better to have a legal expert on your side than to try and fight a criminal charge on your own.
A couple of thieves are on the loose following a fake diamond scam they’ve pulled with some unsuspecting victims.
Photo: Steve Jurvetson
Don’t Buy Candy–or Diamonds–From Strangers
The most recent incident took place in West Valley City, where a woman was approached by two other women with the story that they needed money for their family members who’d been in an accident. They convinced the woman to purchase a diamond for $5000, but the diamond turned out to be a fake.
This scam came on the heels of another event where a woman in an Orem shopping mall was asked to purchase a diamond. That woman did pay $8000 for a diamond, only to later discover it was made of glass. The description of the “saleslady” in Orem matches the description of one of the two women in West Valley City.
If caught, the women in these cases might be charged with theft by deception, which involves obtaining control over someone else’s property by deception and with the plan to deprive the other person of his property. Utah law notes that theft by deception does not occur when there is only:
• Falsity concerning matters having no monetary significance or
• Puffing (exaggerated commendation of items or worth) by statements unlikely to deceive an ordinary person in the group addressed
A word to the wise: don’t buy anything from a stranger if you’re not sure you are getting what you’ve paid for. Girl Scouts selling cookies are pretty obvious; however, the salespeople in these cases were a long way from being Girl Scouts.
We’re here to help if you have been arrested or are being investigated for committing a crime. It’s a good idea to talk to a Utah criminal defense attorney if you are in legal trouble; having expert advice can make all the difference. Make the right call today.
Just in case you get a hankering to ride your bike, we want you to be aware of some strange Utah bicycle laws that could get you in trouble with the law.
Photo: lydia_shiningbrightly
Passenger Restrictions
Unless you are an adult cyclist carrying a child in a backpack on your back, it’s illegal to have more people on a bike than the bike is equipped for. I saw a man and two children on a single seat bicycle a few days ago. He’s lucky he escaped the wide jaws of the law.
Get Your Bike Off Me
It is against Utah law to attach a bicycle carrying a rider to a person or any moving vehicle. The same is true for mopeds, coasters, skates, sleds, skate boards and toy vehicles. Look out for law-breakers this summer; you might see a few kids pulling friends on wheeled contraptions around the neighborhood.
Look Ma! No Hands!
You could be charged with an infraction if you are riding a bicycle or moped without at least one hand on the handlebars. Knowing this could come as a serious blow to cyclists who’ve perfected the art of riding a bike without using their hands.
Put the Brakes On
You are required by Utah law to have a brake or brakes on your bicycle. In fact, your brakes must enable you to stop within 25 feet while traveling 10 mph on dry, level and clean pavement. After all, someone may be watching and timing your next stopping attempt.
Keep the Noise Down
It’s illegal to put a siren or whistle on your bike, and it’s just as bad to use a siren or whistle while riding a bicycle. Talk about sucking all the fun out of riding a bike.
Hopefully these weird bicycle laws won’t prevent you from enjoying a bike ride around your neighborhood. To be on the safe side, however, you probably should leave your whistle at home and not attempt to pile several people on your single seat bike.
Don’t hesitate to call a Utah criminal defense attorney if you get caught disobeying these vital bicycle laws or something a little more serious. It’s better to have legal representation than try to go it alone. Talk to a Utah criminal defense attorney today.
The Utah Legislature is looking at modifying a section of the Utah Code to include keeping your vomit out of a police officer’s face unless you want to be charged with a third degree felony.
Photo: m.a.r.c.
Propelling a Substance or Object
It is already a class A misdemeanor to propel any substance or object at a peace or police officer in Utah, but the law may soon be even more strict. You might find yourself on the wrong end of a third degree felony if the substance or object you hurl at a police officer is:
• Blood
• Urine
• Fecal matter
• An infectious agent or material carrying an infectious agent
• Vomit or a material that carries vomit
• Saliva, when the individual knows that he is infected with HIV, hepatitis B or C
and the substance or object comes into contact with the officer’s face, including eyes or mouth, or any open wound.
Additionally, you could be charged with a crime under this law as well as any another offense that is distinguishable from this particular crime.
Talk to Your Legislator
If you think that the punishment for hurling a bit of vomit doesn’t fit the crime, let your local legislator know. Remember that if you’re found guilty of a third degree felony you could go to jail or prison for up to five years.
Suck it Up and In and Call a Utah Criminal Defense Attorney
The bottom line is to keep all your bodily fluids and discharges to yourself. Even if you’re sorely tempted to let it all hang out, doing so on a police officer’s face isn’t the answer. Swallow your pride—and your vomit—and don’t say a word. Make your jailhouse phone call valuable by contacting a Utah criminal defense attorney as soon as possible. Let your attorney do the talking for you. It may be your best decision yet.
We told you about a theft of sculptures a few days ago; today we have another interesting theft to report on—an ATM.
Photo: redjar
ATM Thefts Aren’t Frequent
Someone not only attempted to steal an ATM over the weekend, they actually accomplished their task. Stealing an ATM is not a simple feat (we assume, never trying it ourselves), but these thieves managed to break into a gas station, drag the ATM outside and apparently pull it down the street a bit before loading it into a getaway truck. Police noted that even though the theft occurred at a State Street gas station, no witnesses have come forward, so they have little to go on at the moment.
If you are found guilty of theft, you may go to jail or prison and be required to pay restitution to your victim.
The Holidays Can Be Tough
As we’ve previously stated, theft is never uncommon at any time of the year, but many people get a little more desperate around the holidays and crimes have a tendency to become more frequent. Keep in mind, however, that committing any crime—no matter the reason—will likely get you in serious trouble with law enforcement. In fact, if you break the law you may find yourself a guest of the state of Utah at a local correctional facility.
Get the Help You Need Right Away
When you’ve made some mistakes and are looking for help, don’t hesitate to contact a Utah criminal defense attorney. No person is beyond the reach of amendment and everyone deserves legal assistance when they run afoul of the law. Make the right move and call a Utah criminal defense attorney today.
A Utah man has been arrested pending investigation on a number of lewdness charges, including lewdness involving a child. He apparently has a long criminal history, although that doesn’t necessarily pertain to the pending charges.
Photo: Andrew Butitta
Nude on the Street? Bet You’ll Get Arrested!
The man allegedly told police that he opted to talk a walk around 1300 South State Street in Salt Lake City wearing only shoes because of a bet. Unfortunately for the man, however, police decided that his nudeness involved lewdness—which is against the law in Utah.
There are some places where you can walk, jaunt or strut around in your birthday suit as much as you want, but—surprise, surprise—that doesn’t usually apply to a public thoroughfare. Even if you choose to wander around naked but appropriately shod, you’ll probably still get arrested.
Lewdness is a Crime
In Utah, lewdness is considered an offense against public order and decency. It’s a class B misdemeanor the first and second times you commit lewdness, but if you decide to keep going down that path, you’ll likely be facing a felony charge. While a class B misdemeanor comes with a potential penalty of up to six months in jail, a third degree felony conviction may send you to prison for up to five years.
Lewdness involving a child is a class A misdemeanor the first time and a third degree felony for any subsequent violation. In this particular case, the man may be facing three separate counts of lewdness involving a child which could result in a lengthy prison sentence if he’s found guilty.
Let a Utah Criminal Defense Attorney Help You
Regardless of the criminal charge(s) against you, you should contact a Utah criminal defense attorney for help. Don’t think that a past criminal history will automatically make you guilty of any current charge. You need and deserve to have expert legal representation from a top Utah criminal defense attorney. Make the right call today.
