Posts Tagged ‘Felony’

Chemical Bomb Explodes at a Utah High School

Apr
12
Simms, on the topic of  School
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Instructions for just about everything on the internet abound, including how-to’s for creating your own chemical bomb. However, just because you can find out how to make a chemical bomb easily doesn’t mean you should follow through with the experiment, as two Bountiful High School students recently discovered.

Photo: maticulous

Chemical Bomb Explosion Leads to Arrests

The high school was placed on lockdown status yesterday after a homemade chemical bomb exploded in one of the school’s foyers. No one was hurt, but the two students were arrested after police investigated the incident. The two apparently left some other chemical bombs in other locales as well, including one that exploded in a church parking lot. Police indicated that the two students probably weren’t planning to hurt anyone, but law enforcement does take the behavior seriously.

One of the two involved in exploding the chemical bombs is 18 years old and was taken to the local county jail, since he is legally an adult. The other student is just 16, so she went straight to detention.

Chemical Bomb Presents Danger to Anyone in the Vicinity

Using an incendiary device is a second-degree felony in Utah. Each chemical bomb in this case was full of hydrochloric acid, which presents a danger to anyone caught in the explosive fall-out.

Since most teenage pranks are harmless, these kids may not have fully realized the danger that their chemical bombs presented to others or even themselves. Hopefully their parents will understand the importance of hiring an attorney to represent each youth in order to make sure the kids are treated fairly. We don’t condone violence, but we do believe every person—juveniles and adults alike—deserve equal representation when it comes to criminal matters.

If you need to look for a Utah juvenile defense attorney for your child you should consider the attorney’s previous experience and hire someone who has a reputation for serving his or her clients effectively. Criminal charges of any nature are best handled by an attorney who knows how to get the job done right.

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Bottle Bombs are No Laughing Matter

Mar
15
Simms, on the topic of  Violent Acts
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Although you can find instructions on the internet to make just about anything, including bottle bombs, that doesn’t mean it’s always a good idea or even legal. In fact, bottle bombs can actually be quite dangerous and have been known to cause severe injuries to the people who’ve been unlucky enough to be around when a bottle bomb detonates.

Photo: Arria Belli

Current Bottle Bomb News

In January, teens in the San Diego area pleaded guilty to misdemeanor charges related to possession of a destructive device. Also, police in Maryland are currently frustrated by the explosion (pardon the pun) of bottle bombs that keep popping up in various communities in the state. A case in Utah was recently settled concerning a bottle bomb filled with dry ice.

What Goes Into a Bottle Bomb?

Part of the problem with bottle bombs is that the creators sometimes fill them with caustic chemicals which can cause burns. Even if the bottle just contains non-toxic fluids, the explosive nature can break apart a plastic pop bottle, turning it into shrapnel-like pieces. Kids may think they’re just having a bit of fun, but the fun can turn into criminal charges.

Felony Charges Await Bottle-Bombers

In Utah, a person—juvenile or adult—can be charged with a first-degree felony if he uses an explosive or incendiary device (which includes bottle bombs) to injure someone, attempt to injure someone or someone’s property.

In other words, you may want to think twice before creating your own homemade bombs and leaving them lying about or planting them specifically to cause some mayhem. Law enforcement doesn’t take attempting to blow things up lightly.

Utah Juvenile Defense Attorneys Can Help

If your child has a proclivity to experimenting, you may want to get him or her into the right science class or club at school where they can safely explore what happens when you mix certain ingredients together. If all else fails and your child has already run afoul of Utah law, don’t wait to contact a Utah juvenile defense attorney. Don’t leave your youngster in the hands of the State without giving them someone to speak on their behalf. Take the time and make that important phone call today.

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Utah Teen Commits Drive-Up Armed Robbery

Mar
01
Simms, on the topic of  Violent Acts
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A 16-year-old boy is under arrest after committing armed robbery at two Utah County banks last Saturday—through the drive-up.

Photo: cjc4454

Drive-Through Armed Robbery

The young man allegedly sent a note through the drive-up canister at the first bank saying he had a weapon and demanding money. The teller sent him an undisclosed amount of money and he drove off. Possibly since the first try worked so well, 20 minutes later he used the same technique at another bank, again receiving money through a drive-up canister.

Tellers were able to give law enforcement descriptions of the vehicle, which police found abandoned a short distance away. They soon saw the teen walking down the road. The teen was arrested and is in juvenile detention, facing two second-degree felony charges of armed robbery.

Juvenile or Adult?

Whether the young man will be charged as an adult or remain in juvenile court is up to a juvenile court judge. The prosecutor files a request with the juvenile court to certify the youth an adult, and the judge makes the decision whether the teen remains in juvenile court or the case is transferred to district court.

If he is charged as an adult he could spend a significant amount of time incarcerated in prison, since second-degree felonies can carry a 1-15 years penalty. If he remains in the purview of the juvenile justice system, his case will be handled differently, although he might still spend time in juvenile detention.

Let an Attorney be your Guide

When any youth is in this type of situation, it is vital that he be represented by a juvenile defense attorney. An attorney can be a tremendous help by navigating the legal system on behalf of the child and his or her parents. Attorneys are trained to deal with law enforcement and the courts, and may well be the best advocate a youth can have.

Contact a Utah juvenile defense attorney today if your child is facing any legal charges. It may be the most important phone call you’ll ever make.

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Juvenile Allegedly Plots Mass Destruction at Utah School

Feb
02
Simms, on the topic of  School
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Prosecutors are seeking to certify 16-year-old Joshua Hoggan as an adult after receiving information that the juvenile was going to use a weapon of mass destruction at Roy High School in Utah. Hoggan has been charged with use of a weapon of mass destruction, which is a first-degree felony, in 2nd District Juvenile Court, but prosecutors have filed the motion to have Hoggan’s case transferred to adult district court.

Photo: Paul Fisher

Should Hoggan be Tried as an Adult?

Prosecutors reportedly believe that Hoggan is adult enough to comprehend the gravity of his situation and the choices he made to get to this point. Also, his co-conspirator in the alleged bomb plot is already an 18-year-old adult who has been charged with the same crime in adult court.

Safety Issues at Roy High School Noted by Hoggan

Interestingly, Hoggan wrote an article for the Roy High School newspaper in 2010 that detailed problems around the school that could put everyone’s safety at issue if the school was attacked. Hoggan also interviewed the Columbine High School principal this past December, purportedly for a follow-up article for Roy High’s newspaper.

What Constitutes Weapon of Mass Destruction Involvement

In Utah, a person can be charged with a first-degree felony for any of the following situations relating to a weapon of mass destruction:

• Manufacturing
• Possession
• Displays
• Delivers
• Sells
• Uses
• Attempts to use
• Solicits the use of
• Conspires to use

We would not attempt to sit in judgment of Joshua Hoggan; that is for a judge or jury. We strongly believe that any person accused of a crime is innocent unless they are found guilty. Hopefully Hoggan will be treated fairly and respectfully, as is appropriate for any individual facing criminal charges.

Juvenile Courts Are About Rehabilitation

There are many reasons why juvenile court is separate from adult court, and if you have a child whom prosecutors are attempting to certify as an adult, it is vital that you get the advice of an experienced Utah juvenile defense attorney. Just because a prosecutor believes a 16-year-old is mature enough to be tried as an adult doesn’t mean that is what should happen.

Make sure your child, regardless of his or her circumstances, is represented by a juvenile defense attorney who knows the ins and outs of helping juveniles through any legal procedures.

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Stages Of A Juvenile Case

Dec
07
Angela, on the topic of  Juvenile Court
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The stages of a juvenile case follow a general pattern, and it is never too early to contact and hire an attorney for guidance through the juvenile justice system. It is best to hire an attorney during the investigation phase because an attorney may help prevent charges from being filed, or possibly work out a resolution to the case very early on.

During the investigation phase a 911 call may have been made and a police officer or detective responds to the scene to investigate whether a crime has occurred and if so, who committed the crime. It is advised to speak with an attorney before talking to a law enforcement officer.

 Misdemeanor Cases

In a misdemeanor case an arraignment occurs where the defendant either pleads guilty or not guilty. If a defendant pleads not guilty, then a pre-trial conference is set. A pre-trial conference allows a prosecutor and a criminal defense attorney an opportunity to talk about resolving the case. If the case cannot be resolved, then a motion such as a motion to suppress may be filed and/or the matter may be set for trial.

 Felony Cases

In a felony case, a judge will generally not accept a plea of guilty but rather will simply enter a plea of not guilty and allow time to consult with an attorney. This is the first opportunity for defendants who cannot afford to hire their own attorney to request that a public defender be appointed to represent them. In addition to this process, other issues may be addressed; such as a request that the amount of bail required for release be reduced or that the defendant be released either on his or her own recognizance or to pretrial services.

In felony cases only, a defendant has the right to a preliminary hearing. The purpose of the preliminary hearing is to determine whether there is sufficient evidence for the prosecutor to proceed with the case to trial.

After a preliminary hearing or a motion, then the case may go to trial. At trial the prosecutor will present evidence through witnesses, and the defendant may or may not testify.

The preceding information is a general overview of the criminal justice system but for specifics about criminal cases, an attorney must be contacted.

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