FAQ

Civil cases and criminal cases serve very different purposes within the legal system. A civil case typically involves a dispute between individuals, businesses, or organizations where one party claims to have suffered a loss or injury due to another’s actions. The goal of a civil lawsuit is usually financial compensation or another remedy, such as enforcing a contract or protecting a property right. Civil cases are about resolving private disputes and compensating the injured party, not punishing wrongdoing.

Criminal cases, on the other hand, involve actions that society deems harmful enough to be considered offenses against the public, even if an individual was the immediate victim. In a criminal case, the government—either the state or federal authority—brings formal charges against an individual accused of violating the law. Unlike civil cases, criminal proceedings focus on punishing the offender and deterring future crimes, with potential outcomes like jail time, probation, or fines.

One of the most important differences between civil and criminal cases is the burden of proof. In civil cases, the standard is a “preponderance of the evidence,” meaning it must be more likely than not that the defendant caused harm. In criminal cases, the government must prove the defendant’s guilt “beyond a reasonable doubt,” which is a much higher standard. This heavier burden exists because the stakes are so much greater — a person’s freedom is on the line.

Another critical difference lies in the parties involved. In a civil case, private individuals, companies, or organizations initiate the lawsuit. The dispute is between private parties, and the government usually has no direct role. In a criminal case, however, the government prosecutes the alleged offender. Even if a crime directly affects an individual, such as in cases of assault or theft, the state acts as the prosecuting party because the offense is seen as a violation against society as a whole.

The penalties also differ significantly between civil and criminal cases. In civil matters, the typical outcome is a monetary award to compensate the injured party or an injunction ordering a party to do (or stop doing) something. Jail time is never a penalty in civil court. In criminal cases, punishments can include incarceration, probation, mandatory counseling or rehabilitation, community service, and monetary fines paid to the government. The consequences of a criminal conviction can be far more severe and life-altering.

Civil cases in Utah cover a broad range of disputes. Common examples include personal injury lawsuits where someone seeks compensation for injuries caused by another’s negligence, such as car accidents or slip-and-fall incidents. Contract disputes are also prevalent, involving disagreements over the terms of business or personal agreements. Family law issues like divorce, child custody, and adoption are part of civil litigation, as are property disputes involving real estate ownership or lease agreements. Each of these cases seeks to resolve private conflicts without punishing the other party criminally.

Criminal cases in Utah deal with conduct considered offensive to public safety and order. Examples of criminal offenses include driving under the influence (DUI), assault and battery, possession or distribution of illegal drugs, theft, burglary, and white-collar crimes like fraud and embezzlement. In these cases, it’s the state of Utah, through the district attorney’s office, that prosecutes the accused. Convictions can lead to jail or prison time, probation, fines, or other penalties designed to hold the offender accountable and protect the public.

If you are interested in getting an expungement, you must first obtain a certificate of eligibility in accordance with the standards provided by the Utah BCI. The first part of answering this question is answering a more general question: what does “expunged” mean? The basic answer to this is getting a record cleared off to the point where seeking employment can be easier for a convicted individual. If your record is expunged, when a potential employer asks you if you have ever been convicted of a crime you can say “no.” The employer could go to the BCI (Bureau of Criminal Identification) and run a background check on you and the results would come back as a clean record. However, getting an expungement does not mean it is forever off your criminal record. If you are subsequently charged with another crime, the judge will see your previous conviction(s) even if they have been expunged and they will be used against you.

No. In fact, a convicted felon not only can not own a gun but also can not possess a gun or weapon of any kind. The answer to “Can a felon own a gun?” No. In fact, a convicted felon not only can not own a gun but also can not possess a gun or weapon of any kind. This includes hunting guns, bow and arrows, kitchen knives and heirloom items. Even if your great-grandfather passed on to you a gun that has been in the family for years, if you are a convicted felon you cannot ever possess it. The consequences can mean additional felony charges, significant fines and jail time. There are other individuals who are restricted from possessing a weapon or firearm, including: The criminally insane Illegal immigrants Anyone dishonorably discharged by the military Those convicted of certain misdemeanors (i.e., domestic violence) Those convicted of certain crimes of violence (i.e., rape, murder, manslaughter, kidnapping, child abuse) Those who are caught in possession of illegal drugs If you fall into any of these classes of individuals who are prohibited from owning a weapon, discuss your rights with a knowledgeable criminal defense lawyer. My name is Catherine Cleveland. With more than a decade of criminal defense experience, I can discuss the specifics of your case and how to avoid such violations.

The answer shockingly enough is yes. This actually occurs more often than people may think. If your child is accused of sexually abusing another child, seek legal representation as soon as possible. Can children be tried as adults? The answer is yes. There are those circumstances in which an alleged crime is so serious that a minor can be tried in adult court. These are usually cases of minors who are closer to the age of majority (i.e., 16 or 17 years of age). The prosecutor from the District Attorney’s Office will request a diversion to adult court. When a case gets moved from juvenile court to adult court, the situation is entirely changed and the consequences are even more serious. This is because juvenile court is more focused on rehabilitation rather than punishment, while adult court is harsher. Charges that are usually brought to adult court are very serious and include: Murder Aggravated murder Rape Rape of another child Sexual assault Aggravated sexual assault Aggravated kidnapping If your child is facing a serious charge, there is a great potential the prosecution will want to move the case to adult court. Seek the help of an attorney highly skilled and experienced in both juvenile court and adult court. My name is Catherine Cleveland. With more than a decade of experience, I have handled thousands of criminal defense cases in Utah both in juvenile and adult court. Let me help you seek a better future for your child by providing aggressive criminal defense.

The answer is no. Only the State of Utah can file charges against individuals for crimes as it represents the state and interest of its citizens. The District Attorney (D.A.) will be the one to determine whether charges should be filed and the merits of a criminal case. If you feel someone has violated your rights or has broken the law and you (as the plaintiff) want to press criminal charges, you must seek assistance from the District Attorney’s Office. However, if you are actually facing a criminal charge yourself, that is a different story. Individuals who are being investigated for, charged with or have already been arrested for a crime in the state of Utah should seek Criminal Defense Overview representation immediately. My name is Catherine Cleveland, and I have more than 20 years of experience to represent people charged with crimes in Utah Courts. If you need criminal defense representation, seek my help today. Time is of the essence when it comes to criminal charges. The sooner you can contact me, the sooner I can start working on your case. In some situations, I can stop charges from being filed altogether. The decision ultimately lies with you as to how fast you can start defending your rights.

If you are convicted of a drug crime, you are ineligible for federal student loans anywhere from one to two years from the date of the conviction. If you are convicted a third time, you are indefinitely ineligible. As you can see, being convicted of a drug crime has serious and even permanent implications on your federal student loans. If you already have federal student loans and are convicted of a drug crime, you must immediately provide notice to your financial aid department. Your loan will be taken away, and you will be responsible for paying back any money already received since the date of conviction. Federal student loans include: Pell Grants Stafford Loans Federal PLUS Loans Work Study Loans Perkins Loans Any student who has been convicted of a drug crime or is facing drug charges needs to seek criminal defense representation immediately. The implications on your federal student loans are serious. As a criminal defense attorney with more than 20 years of experience, I can help you avoid a conviction and the loss of your federal student aid. In some cases, rehabilitation programs can be completed to help you gain eligibility.

Many people are completely unaware they have a bench warrant out for their arrest. But how do I find out if I have a warrant? You should contact your local clerk of court (in any relevant counties you may believe there is a warrant out for your arrest). You can also look at the Utah.gov website and search under your name. You can also call the Utah BIC (Bureau of Criminal Investigation) 24 hours a day, seven days a week at 801-965-4445. It is critical you find out this information if there is a warrant out for your arrest. This is because every warrant has an underlying charge or charges that must be defended. For assistance with finding out if you have a warrant and handling any criminal charges as a result of the warrant, seek my legal representation as soon as possible. My name is Catherine Cleveland. With more than 20 years of experience, I provide my clients with the aggressive criminal defense representation they need. Contact me to schedule your free phone consultation. Recalling A Warrant Once you find out you have a warrant, you must pay the bail amount in full in order to get it recalled. Once your warrant is recalled, the underlying criminal issue must be addressed. I represent my clients in all types of criminal matters, including: Juvenile offenses — theft, assault, sex crimes and delinquency Violent crime charges — murder, assault, domestic violence and gun charges Sex offenses — rape, assault of a child, illegal pornography and Internet offenses Theft and fraud — shoplifting, fraud and white collar crimes Federal offenses — drug charges, white collar crimes and more

The answer is forever unless you can get it expunged. However, many felonies are not even eligible for expungement, including first-degree felonies, violent felonies, and felony DUIs. If you have been convicted of more than two felonies (each on separate criminal episodes) you are ineligible for expungement. This just shows the seriousness of a felony conviction. If you have been convicted of a felony that is not excluded from eligibility, you still have to wait seven years before you can seek a certificate of eligibility for expungement by the Utah BCI. I can help you seek an expungement once you are eligible and offer a flat fee of $1,000. The benefits of a successful expungement are great as this can help with employment opportunities. Any potential employer could run a BCI background check on you and the results would come back clean. In addition, if directly asked if you have ever been convicted of a crime, you can answer “no.” Contact me at Catherine Cleveland, P.C., for more information about expungements. If you have been charged with a felony in Utah, as you can see the consequences are very serious. You have even more reason to seek my experienced criminal defense representation immediately. The sooner we can start working on your case the more likely you can have a successful outcome.

Here is a general rule to follow: If it has to do with life or liberty, it is criminal. If it has to do with money, it is civil. Criminal cases are those where your life or liberty is in jeopardy. In other words, your freedom is at stake. These are cases where the state of Utah is involved and has pressed charges against you. The District Attorney’s Office represents the citizens of Utah. Anytime they believe the criminal code has been violated, they press charges against the alleged defendant. The consequence can be fines, probation, and incarceration — all having to do with your life or liberty. Do not confuse having to pay a fine as meaning it is a civil case. Civil cases are those that do not involve the government acting on behalf of its citizens. An individual can make a civil claim against another citizen, corporation, business entity or even the government itself. These types of claims are seeking compensation (money) for alleged damages due to a breached duty. Examples of civil suits include personal injury, wrongful death, medical malpractice, business torts, and employment law actions. Burden Of Proof The burden of proof is always higher in criminal cases. The state always has the burden of proving that beyond a reasonable doubt, a crime was committed. The standard of proof is higher because someone’s life or liberty is at stake. Essentially, if you have been charged with a crime by the state of Utah, your case is a criminal case and requires experienced criminal defense representation. My name is Catherine Cleveland and I can provide just that using my more than 20 years of experience.

This is a very complicated matter that involves constitutional issues. Some charges can be brought in state court, federal court or in both court systems. However, the bottom line is that in general, only circumstances involving “interstate commerce” are considered federal charges. Interstate commerce is the trade, traffic, or transportation between states. For example, if a felon was in possession of a gun and crossed state lines from Utah into Nevada to buy the gun, this involved interstate commerce. The charge of felon in possession of a firearm in this case could be brought in federal court. Keep in mind this is a simplified example and some situations can become very complex, as there are years of Supreme Court authority that determine this often debated issue. Federal Sentencing Guidelines The main concern with federal vs. state charges is the very stringent Federal Sentencing Guidelines. Unlike in state court where there is often more room for discretion by judges, federal sentencing guidelines are strict. In fact, federal judges, for the most part, do not deviate from them. In addition, there are no federal prisons in Utah. That means that if you are convicted of a federal crime in Utah, you will not be able to stay in Utah. You will be transferred to a federal penitentiary outside of Utah away from your family. The consequences of a federal crime are very serious and require expert criminal defense. I can provide just that. Let me discuss with you your particular crime and whether it will be tried in state or federal court. If possible, I will seek to have the charges filed in state court rather than federal court.

Juvenile courts in Utah have jurisdiction over all minors under the age of 18 who have committed a crime. Juvenile courts are very different from adult courts. In fact, juvenile court in Utah is based on a civil system instead of a criminal system. Rather than having the purpose of punishment, the focus is on rehabilitation. There are other differences between adult court and juvenile court, including Most hearings are closed to the public in order to respect the privacy of the minor. There is no right to request a jury trial. There is no option to post bail to leave detention. Probation officers and intake employees are considered judicial branch employees. For more information, visit the Utah State Court’s website on juvenile court. Rights In Juvenile Court According to the Utah State Court’s website, juvenile rights in court are The right to appear in person to defend yourself. The right to a lawyer to represent you. If you cannot afford a lawyer, the court will give you a free lawyer. The right to know the state’s accusations against you. The right against self-incrimination. The right to a speedy trial and for time to prepare a defense. The court has to tell you about any court hearings that involve you. The right for you and any witness to tell your side of the story. The right to ask questions of the people accusing you. The right to an appeal — to ask a higher court to decide whether or not your judge was right if he or she found you guilty.

Juvenile delinquency is when a minor has committed an act that is a crime. They are almost always tried in juvenile court, although in cases of extreme crimes, they can be tried as an adult. If your minor child is a juvenile delinquent, you want to start being proactive and help prevent him or her from being charged in the future. When a juvenile delinquent has a record with multiple crimes, the juvenile court judge will not be as lenient. The judge may come down much harder on sentencing. That is why you need my legal representation. My name is Catherine Cleveland. As an attorney with more than 20 years of experience, I have represented many juveniles in the juvenile court systems here in Utah. I believe in compassionate representation as these are still children. They deserve to be helped not just within the legal system but also given all the necessary counseling and rehabilitation they need. I will see to it that your child gets on the right path. This starts with successful defense representation. Delinquency Cases Common juvenile delinquency charges involve: Class A misdemeanors and felonies Class B or Class C misdemeanors and infractions Alcohol and tobacco violations Violations of curfew laws Class B misdemeanors or lesser traffic violations (minors under 16) For more information, visit the Utah State Court’s website on juvenile court.

According to Utah Cod. Ann. § 77-27-21.5, and the Utah Department of Corrections’ website, the following offenses are subject to sex offender registration (including attempt, solicitation or conspiracy of any of the felonies listed below): Kidnapping Child kidnapping Aggravated kidnapping A felony or class A misdemeanor violation of enticing a minor A felony violation of unlawful sexual activity with a minor Sexual abuse of a minor Unlawful sexual conduct with a 16 or 17-year old Rape Rape of a child Object rape Object rape of a child A felony violation of forcible sodomy Forcible sexual abuse Sexual abuse of a child or aggravated sexual abuse of a child Aggravated sexual assault Sexual exploitation of a minor Incest Lewdness (four convictions) Sexual battery (four convictions) Lewdness involving a child Aggravated exploitation of prostitution Aggravated human trafficking Sexual exploitation of a vulnerable adult Custodial sexual relations (under age of 18) A felony or class A misdemeanor violation of voyeurism Sodomy of a child If you are facing any of these charges, seek my experienced criminal defense representation immediately. You face the probability of 20 years or even a lifetime on the sex offender registry. You should also be aware of how stringent the laws have become. You must now report to the sex offender registry office twice a year (once on your birthday and six months after that). If you fail to do so, you will receive an automatic 90 days in jail and there is no possible waiver.

Mandatory minimum sentencing is described under Utah Cod. Ann. § 76-3-406 as crimes for which probation, suspension of sentence, lower category of offense, or hospitalization may not be granted. These crimes include (also non-sexual offenses): Aggravated murder Murder Child kidnapping Aggravated kidnapping Rape, if caused serious bodily injury or defendant previously convicted of a grievous sexual offense Rape of a child Object rape of a child Sodomy on a child Forcible sexual abuse under certain circumstances, Aggravated sexual abuse of a child Aggravated sexual assault Attempt to commit rape of a child, object rape of a child or sodomy on a child The heightened penalties were enforced in 2007 by the Utah Legislature due to Jessica’s Law. This was a case involving a young girl in Florida sexually assaulted and murdered by a previously convicted sex offender. In response to public outrage, Florida legislatures passed stringent mandatory minimum sentencing for certain sex crimes. Many states have since followed, including Utah.

If you are being accused of child abuse or child molestation, it is absolutely critical that you not say anything to police or investigators. Many times a detective may call the alleged defendant and say they are simply “trying to get your side of the story.” What they are really doing is building a case against you. You may not think what you divulge to investigators is incriminating but it can be. The next best thing you can do for yourself is seek experienced legal counsel immediately. That way your criminal defense attorney can immediately start protecting your rights and advising you. My name is Catherine Cleveland. As a criminal defense attorney with more than a decade of experience, I have extensive knowledge and skills when it comes to child abuse cases. If you have been accused of child abuse or child molestation, please contact me as soon as possible. I offer free phone consultations. Schedule yours today. Parental Alienation Even if you are not facing charges, it is extremely important you not speak to investigators and seek my counsel. You should also avoid being alone with any child at this point. This means any child and most certainly your accuser. This is to avoid any other accusations as a child may be convinced to make false allegations against you. If you are the parent of the accuser, you may feel you are being alienated from your child. The other party may try to “brainwash” your child into thinking things about you that are not true. Even if this is the case, do not give them anymore room to make false accusations against you. Stay the course and seek legal defense now.