Assault Laws in Utah

Assault is attempting, with unlawful force or violence, to injure someone, or using unlawful force or violence that causes bodily injury or creates a substantial risk of bodily injury. It is a class B misdemeanor (up to six months and $1,000), and a class A misdemeanor (up to one year and $2,500) if it causes substantial bodily injury or the actor knows the victim is pregnant. It becomes aggravated assault, a third degree felony (up to five years and $5,000), when it involves a dangerous weapon or a motor vehicle, choking or strangling (impeding breathing or blood flow), or other force likely to cause death or serious injury. Aggravated assault is a second degree felony (1 to 15 years) if it causes serious bodily injury or choking causes loss of consciousness, and a first degree felony if it targets a law enforcement officer and causes serious bodily injury.

Utah's rule on court-appointed lawyers: A court shall find an individual indigent if the individual has an income level at or below 150% of the United States poverty level, or has insufficient income or other means to pay for legal counsel and the necessary expenses of representation without depriving the individual or the individual's family of food, shelter, clothing, or other necessities, considering property, debts, dependents, the probable expense of defending the case, and other relevant factors. An individual who transferred or disposed of assets after the offense in order to become eligible may not be found indigent. The court may rely on an affidavit of indigency and may make a finding of indigency at any time; inability to submit the affidavit does not prevent a finding or the appointment of an indigent defense service provider. Utah Code § 78B-22-202 (effective 11/16/2021)

Lawyers set their own fees, and Utah has rules on how they may charge. See hiring a criminal defense lawyer in Utah for fee rules, how to check a lawyer's license and free help.

How release before trial works in Utah: An individual charged with or arrested for a criminal offense shall be admitted to bail as a matter of right, except when charged with a capital felony with substantial evidence to support the charge; a felony committed while on parole, probation, or bail for a previous felony; a felony where the court finds by clear and convincing evidence that the individual would be a substantial danger to others or the community, or is likely to flee; a felony where the individual violated a material condition of release while previously on bail; and certain domestic violence and impaired-driving offenses described in the statute. Not being lawfully present in the United States creates a rebuttable presumption of flight risk. When issuing an arrest warrant or finding probable cause, a magistrate issues a temporary pretrial status order releasing the individual on recognizance, setting conditions, or ordering detention; detention is required for an individual arrested for a felony committed while on felony parole, probation or pretrial release who is or would be a habitual offender. A pretrial status order is issued at the first appearance. Conditions must be reasonably available and reasonably ensure appearance, the safety of witnesses, victims and the public, and that the individual will not obstruct justice. If a financial condition (other than an unsecured bond) is necessary, the magistrate or judge refers to the statutory financial condition schedule and considers the individual's risk of failing to appear and ability to pay, setting a single amount per case. Utah Code §§ 77-20-201, 77-20-205 What happens after an arrest.

Each state sets its own rules for sealing or expunging records. See Utah expungement and record sealing rules.