Springville/Provo, Utah County based criminal defense attorney Jake Gunter has nearly 20 years of experience. Defending people accused of Misdemeanors and Felonies Statewide.
(1). Do you specialize in criminal defense, or do you practice several types of law? Divorce, Bankruptcies, Collections, etc?
ANSWER: A really good criminal defense attorney practices criminal defense and maybe one other area of law. It is really difficult to be a good criminal defense attorney and practice several other areas of law. If the attorney you are looking at advertises on their website that they do divorce, bankruptcy, general civil, general anything, it is highly unlikely they have specialized skill set for effective criminal defense advocacy.
(2). How many jury trials have you conducted as the lead attorney?
ANSWER: Serious criminal trial lawyers will have over 1,000 court appearances to their name and double-digit jury trials. Actively practicing, specialized Utah criminal defense attorneys are trying at least 1-3 jury trial per year.
Getting jury trial experience is difficult for younger attorneys. Cases are not tried to juries nearly as much these days. Public defender experience is really good experience trying jury trials, but is not the same as privately retained criminal defense. Prosecuting jury trials is not even close to firsthand defense jury trial experience.
(3). How long have you been a lawyer for?
ANSWER: Real jury trial experience and acting on your feet during tough trials and trial strategy only comes with time as an attorney. Just to see the breadth of criminal cases and have personal firsthand experience generally takes five years or more. Relationships with the local judges and prosecutors also matters; knowing the judge’s tendencies and prosecutor tactics helps.
(4). What is your gut feeling? Do you have trust and confidence in the attorney?
ANSWER: On the phone, calling for the first time, do you have an instant feeling the attorney is knowledgeable? When meeting with the lawyer, do you have an instant connection and trust in what they are telling you? Criminal defense is serious business. People go away for the rest of their lives sometimes. Having a criminal record is something you want to avoid.
If you have serious reservations, you may consider getting a second opinion.
Here is a list of some common criminal charges handled out of Springville, Utah:
(1). DUI / Impaired Driving. Driving under the influence. Impaired Driving. Metabolite Driving. All driving under the influence convictions are enhanceable offenses. Meaning subsequent DUIs or Impaired Driving charges can be charged at a higher grade. The new 2021 DUI laws only increased the mandatory jail times.
(2). Drug Charges. Controlled substances, Meth, Heroin, Marijuana or Cocaine. Like driving under the influence convictions. All drug convictions are enhanceable offenses and generally suspend your driver’s license.
(3). Domestic Violence Charges. There are around 25 Utah criminal charges that can have a domestic violence tag applied to them. Classic domestic violence charges are Assault, sexual offenses, child abuse and disorderly conduct.
Domestic violence convictions generally will revoke your ability to possess firearms under federal law. The Lautenberg Amendment to the Gun Control Act of 1968 became effective 30 September 1996. It affects people (police, soldiers or others) who have been convicted of a qualifying domestic violence offense or who are subject to a restraining order.
As of 09/2020, all Class B and C Misdemeanors, along with Infractions arising out of Springville, Utah, are prosecuted by the Assistant Springville Prosecutor in the Springville Justice Court.
All Class A Misdemeanors and Felonies are prosecuted in the Fourth District Court, either in the Spanish Fork, Provo or American Fork locations. All Class Misdemeanors are prosecuted by the city attorneys who charged them. All Felonies are prosecuted by the Utah County Attorney’s Office. Felony charges with accompanying Class A or lower charges are still prosecuted by the Utah County Attorney’s Office. Class A Misdemeanors with accompanying lower charges can still be charged in the Fourth District Court and are still prosecuted by the city attorney who initially charged them.
All Springville, Utah, Class B and below charges are prosecuted at the Springville Justice Court. Located in downtown Springville, at the Springville City Hall.
Springville Justice Court
Springville Civic Center
110 S Main St,
Springville, UT 84663
Phone: (801) 489-2707
Utah County Sheriff’s Office
3075 N Main St
Spanish Fork, Utah 84660
Phone: (801) 851-4000
Utah County Jail
3075 N Main St
Spanish Fork, Utah 84660
Phone: (801) 851-4200
Fourth District Court—Provo
137 East Freedom Avenue
Provo, Utah 84606
Phone: (801) 429-1000
Fourth District Court—American Fork
75 E 80 N #202
American Fork, Utah 84003
Phone: (801) 756-9654
Fourth District Court—Spanish Fork
775 W Center St
Spanish Fork, UT 84660
Phone: (801) 804-4800
Fourth District Court—Juvenile Provo
137 East Freedom Avenue
Provo, Utah 84606
Phone: (801) 429-1000
Fourth District Court—Juvenile American Fork
75 E 80 N #302
American Fork, Utah 84003
Phone: (801) 763-8941
