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State of Utah v. Matthew Elton
Date: 01-29-2026
Case Number: 211600367
Judge: Mandy Larsen
Court: Sixth District court, Sanpete County, Utah
Plaintiff's Attorney: Sanpete County, Utah, District Attorney's Office
Defendant's Attorney: Trevor J. Lee
Description:
Manti, Utah, criminal defense lawyer represented the Defendant charged with child abuse with serious physical injury.
¶1 Matthew Elton was charged with child abuse with serious physical injury, aggravated assault, burglary, robbery, and violating a protective order. Elton pleaded guilty to those charges and was sentenced to prison. While those charges had been pending, the court had issued a no-contact order that prohibited him from contacting his ex-wife and their children. While incarcerated, however, Elton continued to contact them. Based on these communications, he was later charged with fifteen counts of violating a protective order. At trial, the jury convicted Elton on six counts and acquitted him of nine.
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To prevail on a claim of ineffective assistance of counsel, a defendant must satisfy the two-prong test articulated in Strickland v. Washington, 466 U.S. 668 (1984), which requires the defendant to show (1) "that counsel's performance was deficient" and (2) "that the deficient performance prejudiced the defense." Id. at 687.
¶1 Matthew Elton was charged with child abuse with serious physical injury, aggravated assault, burglary, robbery, and violating a protective order. Elton pleaded guilty to those charges and was sentenced to prison. While those charges had been pending, the court had issued a no-contact order that prohibited him from contacting his ex-wife and their children. While incarcerated, however, Elton continued to contact them. Based on these communications, he was later charged with fifteen counts of violating a protective order. At trial, the jury convicted Elton on six counts and acquitted him of nine.
* * *
To prevail on a claim of ineffective assistance of counsel, a defendant must satisfy the two-prong test articulated in Strickland v. Washington, 466 U.S. 668 (1984), which requires the defendant to show (1) "that counsel's performance was deficient" and (2) "that the deficient performance prejudiced the defense." Id. at 687.
Outcome:
Affirmed
Plaintiff's Experts:
Defendant's Experts:
Comments:
About This Case
What was the outcome of State of Utah v. Matthew Elton?
The outcome was: Affirmed
Which court heard State of Utah v. Matthew Elton?
This case was heard in Sixth District court, Sanpete County, Utah, UT. The presiding judge was Mandy Larsen.
Who were the attorneys in State of Utah v. Matthew Elton?
Plaintiff's attorney: Sanpete County, Utah, District Attorney's Office. Defendant's attorney: Trevor J. Lee.
When was State of Utah v. Matthew Elton decided?
This case was decided on January 29, 2026.