Mental Health Court
While crime in Utah has dropped over the last decade,our jail populations have risen due to increasing prison sentences for repeat offenders. In order to combat this growing expense, the State Government has decided to increase the role of mental health services in the justice system.
As a result, if you’ve been accused of a nonviolent crime and you suffer from a mental illness, you can avoid a criminal sentence by instead enrolling in a state-sponsored treatment program.
We go the extra mile to help. Call Wasatch Defense Lawyers today for a free consultation at (801) 459-8909.
We know what it takes to turn experience into results. Our attorneys understand how prosecutors think, how to challenge the evidence, and when to negotiate or take your case to trial. Every strategy is built around putting you in the strongest possible position.
But we don’t just know how to win—we have a track record that proves it. With more than 30 years of experience and thousands of clients represented, our results speak for themselves.
Proven Results. Relentless Defense.
A History of Successful Defenses
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Not Guilty State v. A - Not Guilty on Attempted Rape, Forcible Sex Abuse, Kidnapping, Assault
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Not Guilty State v. A - Not Guilty on Attempted Rape, Kidnapping & Assault
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Dismissed State v. F - Aggravated Sexual Assault, Aggravated Kidnapping Dismissed
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Dismissed State v. F - DV & Aggravated Assault Charges Dismissed
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Dismissed State v. F - Protective Order Violation Charges Dismissed
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Dismissed State v. F - Violation of Protective Order Dismissed
What is Mental Health Court?
Mental health court is part of Utah’s effort to improve its mental health services. Specifically, the mental health court’s purpose is to aid mentally ill people who would usually face a prison sentence by instead placing them in long-term community treatment programs. This not only keeps them out of jail in the present, but also reduces the chances they’ll ever go back to jail in the future.
Goals for Mental Health
Like other problem-solving courts, Utah’s mental health courts work to solve the cause of criminal behavior. They do this by focusing their efforts into achieving six goals:
- Divert participants from incarceration
- Protect the community
- Avoid the revolving door at inpatient facilities and jails
- Better the participant’s quality of life
- Be effective in use of limited available funds
- Increase treatment compliance with difficult patients
Keeping these goals in mind ensures that offenders with serious mental illnesses receive the treatment they need instead of a jail sentence. It also ensures if you are someone that needs it, you get help.
Why Choose Wasatch Defense Lawyers
Hire at Team You Can Count On
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Largest Criminal Defense Team in the History of the State
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100+ Years of Combined Criminal Defense Experience
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Fewer than 1% of its clients have been sent to prison
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Over 650 Trials Handled
our winning strategy
4 Steps to a Positive Outcome
Every case is different. At Wasatch Defense Lawyers, we thoroughly investigate the facts, examine the evidence, and identify weaknesses in the prosecution’s case. Our attorneys evaluate every available option, from challenging improper procedures and suppressing evidence to negotiating reduced charges or preparing for trial. With decades of combined experience and hundreds of trials, we approach each case strategically and aggressively. Whether pursuing dismissal, reduced charges, or a favorable trial outcome, we build a defense focused on protecting your rights, freedom, and future.
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1Laying the GroundworkWe prepare before the fight begins. Decades of experience, deep legal knowledge, and strong relationships with prosecutors and judges give us the foundation to build a smarter, more targeted defense.
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2Discussing The DetailsEvery detail matters. We dig deep into your case, examining reports, records, evidence, and your side of the story to uncover the facts that can shape your defense.
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3Building Your CaseWe challenge what the prosecution thinks it knows. We scrutinize the evidence, investigate police procedures, expose weaknesses, and develop a defense strategy built specifically for your case.
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4Obtaining Positive ResultsWe pursue the outcome that puts you in the strongest position. Whether through aggressive negotiation or a meticulously prepared trial defense, we fight to reduce charges, protect your future, and achieve the best result possible.