Judge appoints public defender, sets Dec. 1 hearing in Utah stalking case; no-contact order entered

On Nov. 3, during a virtual arraignment in a State of Utah criminal case, Judge Ludden appointed the Utah County public defender's office to represent defendant Mark Stewart Allen on a charge of stalking, a third-degree felony with a maximum penalty the court stated as up to 0 to 5 years in state prison and a $5,000 fine.

The court confirmed the case number as 211401656 and asked screening questions about Allen's finances and living situation before appointing counsel. Allen told the court, “I’ve spent $40,000. I’ve lost my job,” and said he could not afford to hire a private attorney. The judge said counsel would be from the Utah County public defenders and asked one of their attorneys to step in; the court identified “Mister Jacobson” as available online and provided the public-defender office number, (801) 852-1070, for Allen to schedule an appointment.

The defendant supplied contact information for the record, confirming an address at 1672 West 630 North and giving an email (markstewartallen@gmail.com) and a cell number ((801) 462-6700). The court reset the matter for the next appearance on Dec. 1 at 1:00 p.m. and instructed Allen to contact the public-defender's office in the interim.

During the arraignment the state told the court it had filed and was asking the court to enter a no-contact order. The judge explained the order to Allen, telling him he is not allowed to contact the alleged victim “in any form or fashion,” including by phone, email or through a third party; Allen said he understood and told the court he had “no desire to contact her” and asked for reciprocal noncontact because, he said, the woman had been "meddling in the lives of my children."

A representative for the alleged victim, Laurie Hobbs, appeared briefly and, together with a Miss Johnson, confirmed on the record that the no-contact order was in place and that required filings had been completed. The court stated the no-contact restriction had been taken care of.

The hearing concluded with the court confirming the Dec. 1 status date and reminding Allen to contact the assigned public defender. The defendant thanked the court and was excused.