How to Choose an Attorney for Out of State Criminal Charges

OUT-OF-STATE CRIMINAL CHARGES IN UTAH

Imagine that you were vacationing in Moab, Utah. You are arrested for marijuana possession and intoxication. Your plane leaves the next day and you return to California. Moab police cited and released you with criminal charges and told to report to the Moab City Justice Court within 5-14 days, or risk a bench warrant issuing for your arrest.

How do you hire a good out-of-state attorney in Utah to handle your Moab misdemeanor charges? What do you look for in selecting a reputable out-of-state criminal defense attorney?

Out of State Criminal Charges: How to Choose the Right Attorney

Facing out of state criminal charges can be stressful, especially if you don’t know where to start when choosing the right attorney. Here's a guide to help you evaluate and hire the best criminal defense attorney to protect your rights.

1. Check the Attorney’s Google Reviews

Before hiring a lawyer for out of state criminal charges, look at their Google Reviews. Reviews from previous clients can reveal the attorney’s:

Track record: Are clients satisfied with their outcomes?
Communication skills: Does the attorney explain legal processes clearly?
Responsiveness: Is the lawyer easy to reach?

For example, Utah criminal defense attorney Jake Gunter has stellar reviews highlighting his expertise and dedication to clients. You can check his reviews here.

2. Evaluate the Attorney’s LinkedIn Profile

A professional LinkedIn profile reflects whether the attorney specializes in criminal defense. Here’s what to look for:

Specialization: Ensure the attorney regularly handles criminal defense cases, not a general practice attorney who takes on unrelated cases.
Relevance: Does their profile highlight experience with out of state criminal charges?
Activity: An active LinkedIn presence shows the attorney is engaged in their field and keeps up with legal trends.

Why Specialization Matters: Hiring a general practice attorney for serious charges is like seeing a foot doctor for heart surgery—it’s not a good idea. For out of state criminal charges, you need a lawyer who focuses specifically on criminal law and understands the nuances of cases across state lines.

3. Consider the Attorney’s Firm

When dealing with out of state criminal charges, the size and reputation of the attorney’s firm can be a deciding factor:

Larger Firm Benefits:
- More resources to handle complex cases.
- Staff to assist with filings, research, and client communication.
- Other attorneys to consult for strategies and ideas.
Solo Practitioners:
- While solo attorneys can be effective, they may lack the support necessary for cases that require extensive coordination.

For instance, Jake Gunter is a partner at Provo Lawyers, a reputable firm with a proven record of handling criminal defense cases.

Key Takeaways for Out of State Criminal Charges

When choosing an attorney for out of state criminal charges, prioritize:

Specialization in Criminal Defense: Avoid general practitioners.
Strong Online Presence: Look for good reviews and an active LinkedIn profile.
Firm Support: Choose a lawyer backed by a reputable firm for better resources.

If you’re facing out of state criminal charges, don’t leave your future to chance. Contact a specialized attorney like Jake Gunter to ensure your case is in expert hands.

Learn More About Criminal Defense Lawyer Jake Gunter

For additional insights on Criminal Defense Law and to get to know Jake Gunter better, check out these helpful videos:

Meet Jake Gunter – Learn more about Jake Gunter's background, experience, and dedication to helping clients throughout Utah.
How to Choose a Utah Personal Injury Attorney – This video offers guidance on selecting the right personal injury attorney to ensure you receive effective representation.
What Jake Gunter Does and Who He Represents – Discover the types of cases Jake Gunter handles and how he advocates for the rights of injured individuals statewide.

These resources will provide you with valuable information as you consider your legal options. For any questions or to schedule a free consultation, feel free to reach out to us directly.

Police Lineups

I REALLY LIKE MY LOCAL ATTORNEY. CAN HE OR SHE HELP MY OUT-OF-STATE ATTORNEY WITH MY UTAH CRIMINAL CHARGES?

Yes. Your local California attorney, or New York attorney, can help your out-of-state attorney with your Utah charges. This generally happens with larger felonies. Your local attorney can swear into the Utah Bar Pro Hac Vice. It’s means that just for this case, your local attorney can practice law in Utah under the license of your out-of-state attorney.

I HAVE OUT-OF-STATE CRIMINAL CHARGES IN UTAH. HOW DOES IT WORK?

First you select a qualified Utah criminal defense attorney. Your local attorney can make the call, or you can make the call. Attorney Jake Gunter does Zoom, Facetime or other video conferences with out-of-state clients. You can make a payment over the phone and the price doesn’t go up just because you are an out-of-state offender. Price is determined by what the client wants to do with the charges, the complexity of the charges, the required pretrial motion practice and whether a jury trial is sought.

DO I HAVE TO GO TO COURT IN UTAH EVEN IF I DON’T LIVE THERE?

No. Attorney Jake Gunter would enter his legal appearance on your behalf and tells the court that he is your attorney. Concurrently, your out-of-state attorney files a motion to excuse your absence from the court hearings. With misdemeanors, motions to excuse your presence are regularly granted. With felonies, motions to excuse you are rarely granted. Either the case proceeds to a jury trial where you will need to eventually show up to the trial in-person, or, the entire case is resolved via the mail, with what’s called a Plea by Mail/Affidavit.

I HAVE AN OUT-OF-STATE WARRANT IN UTAH AND NEED HELP.

If you failed to appear at your Utah court date because you live out-of-state, a bench warrant will be issued for your arrest. As a general rule, smaller misdemeanor cases will not result in extradition from your home state back to Utah. It just means that a live warrant will be on the books in Utah. In the event you are passing through and get a speeding ticket, you will be arrested and booked into jail. See if you have a Utah Warrant here. Utah Warrant Search.

You can fix the warrant by hiring an out-of-state attorney in Utah to move the court to lift the warrant and set the matter for a pretrial hearing. Then, your attorney in Utah can concurrently move the court to excuse your presence and thereafter resolve the pending charges. This is possible with a plea by mail.

OUT-OF-STATE CRIMINAL DEFENSE ATTORNEY UTAH—PROVO, UTAH.

Handing Utah criminal cases state wide. Free consultation via Skype, Zoom, or other video conferences means. (801) 373-6345.

Jake Gunter commonly follows the following cities and counties.

West Valley City. Moab City, Grand County. Nephi, Juab County. Fillmore City, Millard County. Wasatch County, Heber City. Park City. Cedar Hills, Utah County. Saratoga Springs / Eagle Mountain.