Let. The. Evidence. Point. The. Way.

A recent podcast clip I saw this week made a deliberately provocative claim: “A woman’s greatest strength is her ability to be a victim.” Taken literally, the statement is too…

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The Intersection of Federal Immigration Law and Utah Divorce

One of the most complex, high-stakes scenarios occurs when federal immigration policies collide head-on with state domestic relations law. Under the federal Violence Against Women Act (VAWA), a non-citizen spouse…

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The Obvious Variable No One Addresses: How Gender Distorts Protective Order Decisions

Protective orders are among the most powerful and disruptive tools Utah courts wield—all on an expedited timeline and often on a limited record. The law governing these orders is clearly…

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“When in Doubt, Grant the Protective Order” Is Not a Legal Principle

In discussions about protective orders and alleged domestic violence, I often hear a familiar refrain: “Protective orders should be granted liberally even when the question comes down to one person’s…

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