Utah Teen Under Investigation for Attempted Murder

A 17-year-old Utah teen is being investigated for his alleged role in an attempted murder earlier this week.

Who Else Was Involved?

Police know the young man was one of five occupants in a car that was involved in a drive-by shooting in the Kearns area. Unfortunately for the Utah teen, authorities believe that he was the one who fired several shots towards a Kearns home—in the direction of one resident who was standing outside the home.

All five of the car’s occupants are thought to have gang connections. The other four people in the vehicle, including another teen, have all been arrested pending investigation into their roles in the shooting.

Elements of Attempting to Commit a Crime

A person may be guilty of an attempt to commit a crime if he:

• Does certain things that would legally constitute a substantial step towards the commission of the crime
• Intends to commit the crime or
• Acts in such a way that he knows his action is likely to produce a certain result

Attempted murder (in adult court) is frequently charged as a first degree felony. The punishment for committing attempted murder can differ from one case to the next, depending on the circumstances.

People of all ages do become involved in gangs. There are laws in Utah that make persuading or even forcing a minor to become involved in a gang illegal. However, freedom of choice is still a positive benefit of living in this country.

Even Kids Need Legal Help

If your child has been arrested or is otherwise involved in a juvenile court case, don’t wait to talk to a Utah juvenile defense attorney. Kids’ rights aren’t supposed to be overlooked, but it’s better to make sure that your son or daughter has the best juvenile defense possible. Make that important call today.