Criminal Law Glossary

Legal jargon can be difficult to decipher. We made this glossary to help you figure out what everything means and how it applies to you and your case.

Abuse: The act of hurting or injuring someone either through words or physical treatment.

Abuse Cases: “Abuse Cases” refer to legal situations where an individual is accused of inflicting harm, often physical or sexual, onto another individual. These cases can range from domestic abuse to sexual abuse, and they require careful, sensitive handling due to their serious nature.

Accessory: When someone helps a crime to be carried out, even if they are not there at the scene of the crime, they are considered an accessory to the crime. An accessory can give directions on how to carry out the crime, help cover up the crime or encourage a suspect to commit a crime.

Accusation: “Accusation” refers to a claim that someone has done something illegal or wrong. In the context of criminal law, accusations often form the basis of charges brought against an individual and start the legal process that can lead to a trial.

Acquittal: An acquittal happens when a defendant has been found not guilty of a crime after a trial.

Admissible: Evidence that is considered acceptable, and valid of being presented in a court trial.

Adversary proceeding: Generally speaking, an adversary proceeding is any time someone has filed a legal complaint against someone else and the defendant has a chance to defend him or herself. More specifically, an adversary proceeding refers to a court case that happens when someone files for bankruptcy, but it has a separate electronic docket and case number.

Affidavit: A statement of facts someone voluntarily makes under legal oath which is written down in a document.

Affirmative Defense: When a different set of facts are revealed by the defendant which shed light on why the argument put forth by the plaintiff, even if it might be true, are not sufficient to charge that defendant with a crime, or at the very least, his or her punishment should be lightened.

Aggravated: In legal context, “aggravated” refers to a circumstance that increases the severity of a crime, leading to more stringent penalties upon conviction. Charges can be aggravated due to factors such as the use of a weapon, causing severe harm, or having prior convictions.

Aggravated Assault: The act of attacking someone either intentionally or carelessly with a dangerous weapon which results in serious physical injury.

Aid and Abet: To help someone commit a crime, not through physical actions, but verbally such as giving them concrete steps in how to perform the crime or encouraging them to commit the crime in the first place.

Alibi: An excuse someone uses to prove that they were somewhere else when a crime happened.

Allegations: “Allegations” refer to claims or accusations made against a person, often relating to misconduct or illegal activity, which have not yet been proven in court.

Answer: A written statement made by a defendant in response to a legal complaint made against them by a plaintiff.

Appeal: After a final court decision has been reached in a trial, the person who lost may request that a higher court reverse the decision made by the lower court.

Arraignment: * *The initial court proceeding in which a judge states the charges against a defendant in a criminal case and the defendant is asked how he/she will plead in response to the charges.

Arson: The deliberate and malicious burning of a building or any other structure.

Assault Defense: “Assault Defense” refers to the strategies and arguments a lawyer uses to protect a client facing assault charges. This can involve challenging the evidence, questioning the credibility of witnesses, demonstrating self-defense, or discrediting the prosecution’s portrayal of the event.

Assault with a Deadly Weapon: An intentional or reckless physical attack against an unwilling victim carried out with a dangerous weapon.

Assault with Intent: When an assailant causes physical harm to a victim with the intention of committing a different crime. One example is death that might occur when someone intends to rob a victim’s house.

Assaulting: “Assaulting” is a term used in criminal law to describe an act that intentionally causes fear of physical harm or offensive contact, or intentional physical harm itself. It’s an offensive or threatening action that can sometimes involve bodily harm, and can lead to serious legal consequences, including jail time, fines, and a criminal record.

Attempted Assault: When someone tries to injure or harm someone else, but the actual harm done is minimal or not at all.

Attorney: An “Attorney” is a legal professional who represents and advises clients in both criminal and civil legal matters. Attorneys, also known as lawyers, interpret laws and regulations, present facts in court, and conduct legal research to support their clients’ cases.

Battery: Unwanted, deliberate, offensive and harmful touch by someone else. This can include touching of clothes, transmitting diseases, and spitting in someone’s face.

Bench Warrant: A written order from a judge calling for the arrest of someone charged with a crime or contempt of court.

Beyond a Reasonable Doubt: A standard of proof which confirms a defendant’s guilt based on the evidence provided.

Blizzard: A “Blizzard” is a severe snowstorm with high winds and low visibility. While blizzards are natural occurrences and not directly related to our legal services, they serve as a metaphor for the overwhelming and challenging circumstances our clients may face when dealing with criminal charges.

Board of Pardons: A board run by the executive part of the state which has the power to grant pardons to prisoners and other people convicted of a crime.

Brief: A document presented by a lawyer for a party in a lawsuit stating the reason for the lawsuit, the people involved, and which laws should be examined in favor of the presenting party.

Burden of proof: The obligation by one party in a lawsuit, usually the plaintiff, to present facts that prove his or her claim.

Capital offense: A crime serious enough to warrant capital punishment.

Case: A “Case” in legal terms refers to a dispute between opposing parties which is resolved by a court, or by some equivalent legal process. A case may be civil or criminal in nature and involves a detailed examination of the facts, evidence, and legal precedents related to the matter being adjudicated.

Chain of Custody: “Chain of custody” refers to the documented timeline showing the collection, control, transfer, analysis, and storage of evidence in a legal case.

Charges: “Charges” refers to formal accusations made against individuals alleging that they have committed a crime. Charges are the initial step in the legal process that can lead to a trial and possible penalties if a conviction is achieved.

Child Enticement: Trying to elicit a minor to sexually or physically harm them. This can include the production of child pornography, human trafficking, and kidnapping.

Child Exploitation: Taking advantage of a child in order to make money, receive free labor, or have sexual relations with the child.

Child Procurement: Obtaining a child for prostitution or selling a child for prostitution. Selling a child for cash, as in an illegal adoption. Trying to meet with a child to perform a sexual act.

Child Support: “Child Support” refers to an ongoing, periodic payment made by one parent for the financial assistance of a child following the termination of a marriage or other relationship. This concept, rooted in family law and public policy, implies payments made directly or indirectly by the paying parent (the obligor), to the receiving party (the obligee), for the children’s care and support. The obligee typically is a custodial parent, caregiver, guardian, or even the state.

Clemency: The act of reducing the punishment for a certain crime without actually clearing that crime from the criminal records.

Collective: “Collective” refers to a group of entities working together towards a shared goal. In the context of our firm, Wasatch Defense Lawyers, it refers to our team of skilled attorneys cooperating and pooling their expertise to provide the best defense for our clients.

Communication: “Communication” refers to the process of exchanging information, ideas, or feelings. In a legal context, it covers various forms of interaction between parties, including verbal, written, or digital communication.

Commutation: Exchanging one penalty for a different one, generally from a more severe punishment to a lighter one.

Competence Order: A statement regarding whether a person has the mental capacity to take part in legal proceedings.

Concurrent sentence: If someone is convicted of more than one crime, a judge may give separate lengths of time for each crime. With a concurrent sentencing, the judge can authorize that all the sentences be served at the same time, and shorten the whole length of the term served.

Consecutive Sentence: When someone has been convicted of more than one crime, they serve one penalty right after the other penalties have been completed.

Consent: “Consent” in a legal context, particularly in relation to sexual activity, refers to the voluntary agreement by a person in the sound state of mind to engage in a specific sexual act. The concept of consent is a critical element in many criminal cases, especially those involving sexual offenses.

Conviction: A “Conviction” is a formal declaration by a court that an individual is guilty of the criminal charges leveled against them following a trial or a guilty plea. Convictions often result in penalties such as fines, imprisonment, community service, or probation, and can have lasting impacts on individuals’ lives, including potential limitations on employment and civil liberties.

Court: A “Court” is a governmental institution where disputes are resolved in accordance with the law. It’s the forum where legal cases are heard and decided, often presided over by a judge or a panel of judges. Courts play a crucial role in the criminal justice system, holding trials, delivering verdicts, and determining sentences.

Credibility: “Credibility” refers to the trustworthiness or believability of a source or statement. In a legal context, the credibility of a witness, an accused person, or even evidence can dramatically influence the outcome of a case.

Crime: “Crime” generally indicates an act that violates a law and for which a punishment can be imposed by the government.

Criminal Defense: “Criminal Defense” is a strategic argument and representation presented by a lawyer to defend and protect their client, who is accused of a crime. The defense attorney uses their expertise to challenge the prosecution’s case, protect the defendant’s rights, and strive for reduction or dismissal of the charges.

Cybercrime:: **A crime that occurred via the use of the internet, a computer, or a computer network.

Decision: “Legislation” refers to the process of making or enacting laws, or the laws themselves. In the context of legal practice, understanding current legislation is crucial to effectively represent a client and navigate the legal system.

Default judgment: A judgment made in favor of the plaintiff when the defendant does not show up.

Defendant: The person accused of a crime.

Defense: At Wasatch Defense Lawyers, we recognize that “defense” is more than just a legal term—it’s a fundamental right and a powerful shield against injustice. In the context of criminal law, defense refers to the strategies, arguments, and actions taken to protect an individual accused of a crime.

Degree: A “degree” in legal terms refers to the severity level of a crime, such as a first-degree felony or a second-degree misdemeanor. The degree of a crime impacts the potential penalties if convicted and dictates the defense strategy.

Deposition: Pre-trial testimony taken under oath.

Domestic Violence: Acts of physical violence carried out against family or household members.

Double Jeopardy: Charging someone for the same crime more than once or having more than one punishment for the same crime.

Driving Under the Influence: Driving a motorized vehicle while having a blood-alcohol level above the legal limit.

Due Process of Law: A legal principle that someone cannot be killed, imprisoned or have their possessions taken away without legal recourse.

DUI: “DUI” stands for “Driving Under the Influence,” a criminal offense typically associated with operating a vehicle while impaired by alcohol or drugs. DUI charges can lead to severe penalties, including license suspension, fines, and potential jail time.

Electronic: “Electronic” refers to devices, systems, or methods that operate or are facilitated by the use of electrical signals or computer technology. In the legal world, it can pertain to digital communication, electronic evidence, cybercrimes, or other law areas influenced by electronic technology.

Embezzlement: Stealing money from an employer, another company or a government entity.

Enticement: “Enticement” involves the act of attracting or leading someone astray, typically with a wrongful or deceptive intention. In a legal context, enticement often refers to crimes involving luring or persuading a person, especially a minor, towards an illicit act like sexual activity.

Enticing: “Enticing” refers to the act of attracting or tempting someone, often with the intention to lead them into a particular action or location. In a legal context, enticing can be considered a criminal act, especially when it involves minors or is done with illicit intent.

Entrapment: When a law enforcement agent induces a person to commit a crime they would not have otherwise been willing to do.

Evidence: Proof used in a trial to prove or disprove the facts in an argument.

Exclusionary rule: A rules that states evidence which was collected in an illegal manner may not be used against a person in a court of law.

Exculpatory evidence: Evidence which takes away the guilt of the defendant.

Expungement: The legal obliteration of previous criminal records.

Extrinsic Fraud: A fraudulent activity that keeps someone from being able to fully exercise his or her legal rights.

Failure to Register: What a sex offender is charged with after he or she has failed to register with law enforcement after being sentenced.

Family Law: “Family Law”, also referred to as matrimonial law, is a branch of the law addressing family matters and domestic relations. This area comprises a diverse range of subjects, including but not limited to marriage, civil unions, domestic partnerships; adoption and surrogacy; child abuse and child abduction; and termination of relationships and associated matters, like divorce, annulment, property settlements, alimony, child custody and visitation rights, child support, and alimony awards.

Fathers: A “Father” (or dad) represents a male parent who has reared a child, contributed to the child’s conception through sexual intercourse or sperm donation, or donated a body cell resulting in a clone. The term “paternal” corresponds to a father, in contrast to “maternal” for a mother.

Fee: A “Fee” refers to the payment made to professionals, such as lawyers, for their services. In legal practice, fees can vary widely based on factors like the nature of the case, the lawyer’s experience, and geographical location.

Felony: A crime of a more extreme nature or degree than less serious crimes (misdemeanors) and punishable with more severe penalties.

Forgery: Falsification of a document and presenting it as an authentic document.

Fraud: Intentionally lying to another person in order to deceive the victim and cause the victim to take action which will be harmful to them.

Habeas corpus: A document that states an incarcerated person must be brought before a judge, and it should be determined whether there is a sufficient reason to keep him incarcerated or not. Habeas corpus also applies to child custody, and mentally or physically ill prisoners.

Hearsay: A statement made out of the vicinity of the court that is offered as evidence in a court trial.

Indictment: A legal process where a defendant is brought to court and informed of the charges made against him or her, so that the defendant can then prepare a legal defense.

Intentionally: “Intentionally” refers to an action undertaken deliberately or on purpose. In legal terms, it often pertains to the intent behind a criminal act, a crucial factor in many crimes that can significantly impact the case’s outcome.

Investigations: “Investigations” refer to systematic, detailed examinations or inquiries into incidents or allegations to gather facts and evidence. In criminal law, investigations are typically carried out by law enforcement agencies to gather evidence for prosecuting potential crimes.

Jail: “Jail” refers to a place where individuals are held in custody while awaiting trial or serving a sentence for a criminal offense. The prospect of jail can be daunting and underscores the importance of expert legal representation.

Jurisdiction: The power that legal authority has to exercise over a geographical area or to hear certain types of legal cases.

Law Enforcement: At Wasatch Defense Lawyers, we recognize that law enforcement plays a crucial role in our society. Law enforcement refers to the system of agencies and individuals responsible for maintaining public order, preventing and detecting crime, and enforcing laws. This includes police officers, detectives, federal agents, and other officials tasked with upholding the law and ensuring public safety.

Law Firm: A “law firm” is an organization where lawyers collaborate to provide legal services. In the context of Wasatch Defense Lawyers, we are a law firm specializing in criminal defense, offering comprehensive legal services to clients in Utah.

Laws: “Laws” are a set of rules established and enforced by a governing authority to regulate conduct within a community, society, or country. These laws form the foundation of the legal system and guide how justice is administered.

Lawsuit: A legal action filed with the civil court by a plaintiff asserting a complaint that the defendant did not fulfill his/her legal duty in some respect and that that failure caused the plaintiff harm.

Lawyer: A “Lawyer” is a professional who practices and applies law in various capacities such as an attorney, counselor, or solicitor. Law itself is a system of rules established by governing bodies of a society, aimed at rectifying wrongs, sustaining political and social stability, and delivering justice.

Legal Advice: “Legal Advice” refers to the formal provision of a professional opinion surrounding the intricacies or processes of the law. It is often sought from criminal defense lawyers, like those at Wasatch Defense Lawyers, and is typically exchanged for monetary or other tangible compensation.

Legal Aid: “Legal Aid” refers to professional legal services offered either free of charge or at a reduced cost to individuals who can’t afford them. These services, often provided by non-profit organizations, government agencies, or pro bono efforts by law firms or individual lawyers, aim to ensure equal access to justice for all, regardless of financial status.

Legal Document: A legal document is any written instrument that defines, declares, limits, or expands the rights and responsibilities of individuals or entities under the law. These documents can range from contracts and wills to court filings and official records.

Legal Process: The “legal process” represents the series of procedures and steps involved in the judicial system from the initiation of a legal case to its resolution. This includes elements like investigation, prosecution, defense, trial, and potentially sentencing.

Legal Professionals: “Legal Professionals” encompasses a wide range of individuals who work in the field of law, providing various legal services. This includes lawyers, paralegals, legal secretaries, court reporters, and others who play vital roles in ensuring the smooth operation of the legal system.

Legal Separation: “Legal Separation” represents a legal process where a married couple can formalize a de facto separation while still being legally married. It’s sometimes referred to as “judicial separation”, “separate maintenance”, “divorce a mensa et thoro”, or “divorce from bed-and-board”.

Legal Support: “Legal Support” refers to a range of services provided by legal professionals to aid individuals in navigating the legal system. This can include offering advice on legal matters, preparing and filing legal documents, representing clients in court, and more.

Legal System: The “Legal System” refers to the structured set of legal statutes, rules, and procedures established by a country or state to regulate the actions of its citizens and enforce justice. This system includes lawmaking, interpretation, and enforcement bodies like courts and law enforcement agencies.

Legislation: “Legislation” refers to the process of making or enacting laws, or the laws themselves. In the context of legal practice, understanding current legislation is crucial to effectively represent a client and navigate the legal system.

Lewdness: Inappropriate and disturbing displays of sexual acts that are deemed unacceptable by societal standards.

Lien: A legal instrument of financial liability placed with the relevant government department to secure collection of a debt or fulfillment of other legal obligations.

Litigation: The act of bringing a lawsuit against a defendant from the initial complaint to the final decision of the court.

Magistrate: A magistrate is a civil officer or official with judicial authority, typically appointed to administer the law in a specific area or jurisdiction. In the United States, magistrates often serve as judicial officers in federal district courts, handling a variety of preliminary matters in both criminal and civil cases.

Mayhem: The criminal act of removing, disfiguring, or disabling a victim’s external body parts, usually the leg, arm, hand, foot, or eye. This is done in a malicious manner with full intent or reckless behavior.

Mediation: “Mediation” represents a form of alternative dispute resolution (ADR) used within the legal system. It is a process where a neutral third-party, the mediator, assists two or more disputing parties in negotiating a settlement.

Minor: A “Minor” refers to an individual who is under the age of legal adulthood, typically 18 years old in most jurisdictions. In the context of our law firm, Wasatch Defense Lawyers, it pertains to cases involving crimes committed by or against minors.

Miranda Rights: A legal requirement that before police can arrest or interrogate someone they must be reminded that they have “the right to remain silent, the right to legal counsel, and the right to be told that anything he/she says can be used in court against” them.

Misdemeanor: A less serious offense than a felony crime and typically punishable with less severe sentences.

Mistaken Identity: “Mistaken identity” occurs when an individual is erroneously identified as someone else, often leading to false criminal charges.

Mistrial: A trial deemed by a judge to be invalid due to an error that has potentially adversely impacted the essentials necessary for a fair legal process. A new trial may be started with a new jury.

Molestation: Includes the touching of private parts, exposure of sexual organs, production of child pornography, rape and other forced sexual acts with a molester, among other crimes.

Money Laundering: The criminal act of procuring funds from illegal activities and making the funds appear as if they came from a legitimate business activity.

Moot: A controversial issue not considered by the court for a ruling because it has not actually become a matter for the court’s involvement or it has already been concluded.

Motion: A civil or criminal litigant’s formal request to a judge to hand down a decision on an issue pertaining to the case.

Motion to Lift the Automatic Stay: A formal request filed with a civil court by a creditor to permit a type of action against a debtor or a debtor’s relevant property otherwise protected by the automatic stay per U.S. bankruptcy law.

Negligent Homicide: A criminal charge that is caused by carelessness or inattention to important matters that results in the death of an innocent victim.

No-Fault Divorce: A “No-Fault Divorce” refers to a type of divorce that doesn’t necessitate proof of wrongdoing by either spouse for the dissolution of the marriage. Laws surrounding no-fault divorce enable a family court to grant a divorce in reaction to a petition by either party involved in the marriage, without compelling the petitioner to deliver evidence of a breach of the marital contract by the defendant.

Nolo Contendere: Latin phrase translated as “I do not wish to contend” and short-formed in the formal plea by a defendant as “no contest” in response to charges. It has the effect of a guilty plea on sentencing but cannot be treated as an admission of guilt for other legal purposes.

Offenses: “Offenses” refer to violations of legal rules, laws, or statutes, which can lead to criminal charges and potential penalties. Offenses can range in severity from minor infractions to serious felonies.

Pandering: The act of luring victims into prostitution activities through force, coercion, enticement, or trickery. Garnering clients and collecting money from prostitution activities is also considered pandering.

Parental Rights: “Parental Rights” encompass the rights and privileges that underline the relationship between a child and their parents or any adults who significantly influence the child’s life. These rights exist not only in the European Union but worldwide, contributing to the legal framework that guides familial relationships and obligations.

Parole: A parole board’s release of a state or federal inmate back into the community, under supervision by a parole officer, after partially serving the prison sentence.

Perjury: Promising to tell the whole truth in a court of law, and then lying under oath.

Petition: The official document filed with the court to initiate a legal proceeding. It states the name, address, requests action by the court, and states the petitioner’s cause for the request.

Physically: The term “Physically” in a legal context often pertains to acts involving physical force or bodily contact, which can be central to various criminal cases such as assault, battery, or other violent crimes.

Plea: The formal statement by a defendant to the court in a criminal case asserting his or her guilt or innocence of the charges against him/her.

Pleadings: The written statements filed by the parties to a legal action asserting their versions of the facts of the case.

Post-Conviction Relief: After a convicted person loses an appeal, the next step is to apply for post-conviction relief.  The petitioner must prove that his or her constitutional rights were somehow violated during the court trial.

Pre-Trial Services: Pretrial services are duties performed by a federal court before sending someone to trial. They often include screening services and exploratory investigation which may lead to community supervision that takes place after a person has been charged and arrested with a crime.

Prescription Fraud: The acquisition of prescription medication via fraudulent methods either for personal use or monetary gain.

Primary Objective: The “Primary Objective” is the main goal or aim in a specific context. For a defense attorney, the primary objective is often to provide the best possible legal representation to protect their client’s rights and achieve the most favorable outcome in their case.

Probable Cause: Probable cause is a fundamental legal concept that plays a crucial role in the American justice system. At its core, probable cause refers to the reasonable belief, based on facts and circumstances, that a crime has been, is being, or will be committed.

Probation: A sentence ordered by a judge in lieu of jail time. The court releases the person to the community under the supervision of a probation officer from the court’s probation office.

Probation Officer: Officer of the court’s probation office who supervises the convicted person’s compliance with the court’s probation requirements handed down by the judge in lieu of jail time.

Proof of Claim: A creditor’s formal written statement to the court explaining the amount of money a debtor owes to the creditor and the reason the debtor owes the money.

Prosecution: “Prosecution” refers to the legal proceedings in which a person accused of a crime is tried in court.

Psychologists: “Psychologists” are professionals who study human behavior and mental processes and apply this knowledge to help individuals, groups, or organizations. In the context of legal cases, psychologists can play an essential role in providing assessments, expert testimony, or treatment recommendations.

Punishment: “Punishment” refers to the sanctions or penalties imposed by a court upon a person found guilty of a crime. The severity of this punishment can vary widely, from fines to imprisonment, depending on the nature of the offense.

Rape: The entering of the vagina or anus with a body part or object, or the insertion of genitalia into the victim’s mouth, against the will of the victim.

Reaffirmation Agreement: A debtor’s formal agreement to continue paying a debt after a bankruptcy is finalized, though the debt could have been discharged. This is often used to enable the debtor to maintain accounts with some creditors.

Record: The court’s complete formal documented account of a legal case, including all evidence, exhibits, pleadings, etc., filed throughout the court process.

Round: “Decision” refers to a choice or judgment made by an individual or a governing body. In a legal context, a decision could refer to the resolution of a case by a judge or jury, or the strategic choices made by an attorney during the course of a case.

Salt Lake: “Salt Lake” commonly refers to Salt Lake City, the capital and most populous city of the U.S. state of Utah. In the context of our company, “Salt Lake” refers to the primary area where Wasatch Defense Lawyers operates and provides legal services.

Salt Lake City, Utah: “Salt Lake City, Utah”, often abbreviated as Salt Lake or SLC, is the capital and the most populous city in the state of Utah. With a metropolitan area population of over 1.1 million as of 2013, Salt Lake City lies at the core of a larger urban region known as the Salt Lake City-Provo-Ogden, UT Combined Statistical Area.

Search Warrants: A search warrant is a court order signed by a judge that authorizes law enforcement to search a specific location for evidence of a crime. This legal document serves as a safeguard, balancing the needs of law enforcement with the constitutional rights of individuals.

Second-degree murder: A crime in which a person dies as the result of an assault. The death was not planned in advance, but the suspect knew it could happen as a result of the assault.

Seducing: “Seducing” involves enticing or leading someone astray, typically with the intention of sexual involvement. In the context of criminal law, seducing can form part of charges like enticement or sexual misconduct, especially when minors are involved.

Seized: When property or a person is “seized” by law enforcement, it means they have been taken into custody or control by legal authority. This action, while sometimes necessary for law enforcement, can have profound implications for individual rights and freedoms.

Sentence: The specific form and amount of punishment ordered by a court to be imposed upon a person convicted of a crime.

Severity: “Severity” in a legal context often refers to the seriousness of a crime or the harshness of the potential consequences or penalties associated with a conviction.

Sex Crime: A “Sex Crime” refers to a class of criminal offenses involving unlawful sexual conduct. Depending on jurisdiction, sex crimes can include offenses such as rape, sexual assault, sexual abuse, and other types of sexual misconduct. The repercussions of facing such charges can be severe and life-altering.

Sex Offender: A “Sex Offender” is an individual who has been convicted of a crime involving sexual conduct, ranging from sexual assault and rape to possession of child pornography and indecent exposure. Convicted sex offenders are often required by law to register with a public database, with potential long-term implications for housing, employment, and personal relationships.

Sexual Abuse: Causing a child to engage in sexual behavior by either coercing, taking advantage of, persuading, using authoritative powers** **or luring the child victim. This includes the creation of child pornography, molestation by relatives or caretakers, statutory rape,  and prostitution.

Sexual Assault: “Sexual Assault” is a broad term that encompasses a variety of actions where one individual engages in a sexual activity with another individual without their consent. It can include everything from unwanted touching to more severe forms of assault. Sexual assault is a serious crime with potentially severe penalties.

Sexual Battery: “Sexual Battery” refers to any form of non-consensual touching or sexual contact without the explicit consent of the recipient. This crime carries serious legal consequences, such as imprisonment, fines, and the potential requirement to register as a sex offender.

Sodomy: Sexual activity that involves one person’s genitals being inserted into the anus or mouth of another.

Spousal Abuse: Any abusive behavior between people who are married, dating, or living in the same property.

Standard: “Standard” generally refers to a level of quality, achievement, or norm that is considered acceptable or desirable. In a legal context, it may refer to the standards of evidence, ethical standards, or standards of practice in the profession.

Tests: “Tests” in the legal context often refer to various processes or procedures used to gather evidence in a case, such as breathalyzer tests in DUI cases or DNA tests in certain criminal cases.

The Right: “The Right” typically refers to a legal entitlement or freedom granted by a legal system or society. In the context of criminal defense, it can refer to various rights protected under law, such as the right to a fair trial, the right to remain silent, or the right to legal representation.

Theft: The removal of an object without the agreement of the original owner with the intention of never returning the item.

Theft by Deception: Inducing someone through fraudulent means to turn over their property to someone who is not the rightful owner.

Understand: “Understand” refers to comprehending or grasping the meaning, significance, or nature of something. In the context of legal services, understand could refer to understanding the intricacies of the legal system, the specific circumstances of a case, or the needs and expectations of a client.

Unfounded: The outcome of a case where it was determined that no crime was discovered or revealed.

Utah: “Utah” is a state located in the Western United States. Known for its diverse landscapes, outdoor recreational activities, and a strong sense of community, it’s home to a population that values law, order, and justice. Utah is also where Wasatch Defense Lawyers, a highly respected criminal defense law firm, operates.

Violation: A “Violation” in legal terms refers to the act of breaking or disobeying a law, agreement, or code of conduct. In the context of criminal law, a violation can range from minor offenses, such as traffic infractions, to more serious acts, like probation violations, which can result in substantial penalties.

Violence: “Violence” typically refers to actions involving physical force intended to harm, damage, or kill someone or something. Violence can take many forms and is a central factor in various forms of criminal behavior, including assault, domestic violence, violent crimes, and more.

Wasatch: “Wasatch” in the context of our company refers to Wasatch Defense Lawyers, a premier legal firm specializing in defending clients against a wide range of criminal charges. Named after the scenic Wasatch Mountain Range, our firm embodies strength, resilience, and steadfastness, much like the mountains themselves.

Will: A “Will” is a legal document that expresses an individual’s wishes regarding the distribution of their assets after their death. It is a critical element of estate planning that can help ensure a person’s final wishes are respected and that loved ones are taken care of.