The Appellate Group

State v. Jennings

State v. Jennings, 2025 UT 1 (Petersen, J.)

Criminal Law

The Utah Supreme Court held

  • The Court of Appeals correctly determined that the State presented substantial evidence of first-degree murder at Defendant’s bail hearing. 
  • Even assuming the State must also disprove self-defense at a bail hearing, the Court of Appeals correctly concluded that the State presented substantial evidence that Defendant did not act in self-defense. 
  • Practice tip: The substantial evidence standard is met when the facts adduced by the State, notwithstanding contradiction by the defense, warrant the conclusion that if believed by a jury, they furnish a reasonable basis for a verdict of guilty. 

Read the full court opinion