Legal Question in Criminal Law in Utah

West Valley City, UT my son (caucasian) was extremely drunk and was coming home from a friends house (on foot--friend lived in same neighborhood) an officer stopped him, my son said the officer punched him when my son said "haha you can't arrest me, i don't have any warrants" (he had just got all his warrants cleared, normally he would have went straight to jail) my son then pushed past the officer, pushing him in the chest and ran. the officer tazered him. it parolyzed my son and he fell face first on the road, unable to protect his fall. the officer then brought my son home, saying the jail wouldn't take him unless he took him to hospital to get brain scan. my son was way drunk and loopy not even knowing where he was. the officer stated that he had the ambulance come and check him out at the scene and they said he was cleared to come home. I have now found out, that the officer did not put in his report that he tazered my son, nor did he ever call an ambulance. my sons face looked like someone took a cheese grater to it. it was horrific. and my son is in jail currently facing "assault on an officer: we have no money to pay for attorney and he needs help, he is 21 year old boy. what can I do, this is a serious charge?


Asked on 2/28/10, 8:35 pm

2 Answers from Attorneys
Kelly Ann Booth Bautista Booth Parkinson, PLLC

You should ask for a public defender. Alternatively, you need to find money for an attorney. No one likes to get a second or third mortgage, or a second or third job, but you are right, this is a serious charge.

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Answered on 3/05/10, 9:30 pm
Cory Wall Cory R. Wall, Attorney at Law, P.C.

In light of what you explained, I believe the officer was justified in his actions and the charges against your son are warranted. If he can't afford an attorney, the court will appoint one for him.

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Answered on 3/05/10, 9:31 pm


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