Stephen W. Howard - Utah Criminal Defense Lawyer

Many attorneys claim to be "aggressive."  But just being "aggressive" is not good enough.  Most cases will benefit from a more sophisticated approach. If you intend to fight your case all the way, you need a Utah criminal defense lawyer who understands the legal complexities that can be involved in a Utah criminal defense case, and you need an attorney with real experience handling a variety of cases. If you want to resolve your case through negotiations, diplomacy will often get you farther than aggression. Whether you want to fight your case or work out a negotiated resolution, you need a criminal defense lawyer with a track record of achieving real results. Although he has handled literally thousands of cases during his career, Stephen Howard understands that each case is serious.

Attorney Profile

Stephen Howard began his legal career as part of the the Salt Lake Legal Defender Association.  His skill as a defense attorney allowed him to quickly advanced to a position on the felony trial team.  During more than a decade with the Legal Defender Association, Stephen Howard handled thousands of criminal defense cases - more than most Utah attorneys will see in their entire careers.  His abilities ultimately earned him a position on the capital defense team.  In this capacity, he became one of only a few Utah criminal defense attorneys now in private practice who has successfully avoided the death penalty for a client facing aggravated murder charges.  His track record also includes not guilty verdicts or dismissals in cases including aggravated robbery, burglary, fraud, forgery, DUI, theft, drug charges, and more. The experience he gained as in his work with LDA has become an invaluable asset to his clients, as he is able to offer representation that is based on a depth of experience that is matched by few Utah criminal defense lawyers.

Consequences of Conviction

A single misdemeanor charge in Utah can carry up to one year in jail. Felony charges carry the potential of many years in prison. Beyond possible jail or prison time, many Utah criminal charges can result in the loss of a driver license, the right to carry firearms or hunt, professional licensing, and the right to vote. A criminal conviction can seriously affect your ability to find work, rent an apartment, and more.  Having an experienced Utah criminal defense lawyer on your case can help minimize the risk of serious consequences of a Utah criminal conviction.

Reasons to Hope

Although the consequences of conviction can be very serious, there are still many reasons to have hope. The outcome of your case has not been predetermined. While having an experienced criminal defense attorney is an important part of your case, there are things that you can do personally that will increase your chances of achieving a positive result in your case. Stephen Howard has the experience to help guide you through the criminal justice system.

Drugs and Substance Abuse

Drugs, alcohol, and substance abuse play a significant role in many criminal cases. Even when the case is not a "drug" case, drugs and alcohol can be a factor that contributes to many cases. If you, or a loved one is facing, is struggling with addiction or substance abuse while also facing criminal charges, it is important to have an attorney who understands the relationship between addiction and criminal justice system. Stephen Howard has successfully defended drug and alcohol cases ranging from first-degree felony drug charges to minor alcohol possession.

Stephen Howard is one of only a few Utah criminal defense lawyers now in private practice who also has extensive experience working inside Utah's felony drug court system. While working as defense counsel in one of Salt Lake County's felony drug court programs, he received significant training in the relationship between substance abuse treatment and the criminal court system.  He understands that when you are fighting an addiction, your legal case is only half the battle. Learn more about Utah drug crimes, and Utah's drug court programs.

Contact Stephen Howard

In a criminal case, time can be critical. Contact us now for your initial consultation. See the difference an experienced Utah criminal defense lawyer can make in your case.