Tawni Bugden

Tawni Bugden is a Salt Lake City criminal defense attorney whose career has been dedicated to representing people accused of crimes. She has handled serious felony cases involving murder, sex offenses, child sex crimes, aggravated kidnapping, and aggravated assault. She also handles criminal matters requiring careful investigation, motion practice, negotiation, and courtroom advocacy. Her work centers on defending clients against serious charges and protecting their rights throughout Utah criminal proceedings.

Bugden earned a J.D. from the University of Utah S.J. Quinney College of Law in 1997. Her education preceded a career devoted to criminal defense and courtroom advocacy. That legal training supports her work reviewing evidence, evaluating charges, preparing motions, examining witness issues, and presenting defenses in complex criminal matters where the allegations and possible consequences can be substantial.

Bugden has defended challenging criminal cases that received significant public attention. She has secured dismissals and not-guilty verdicts in cases involving murder, sex offenses, child sex crimes, aggravated kidnapping, and aggravated assault. She has spent her career in criminal defense since graduating from law school, developing substantial experience with contested proceedings and high-stakes cases. That background informs her approach to evidence, legal motions, trial preparation, and defense strategy.

Tawni Bugden has served as president of the Utah Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers and has held other offices within the organization. Her professional work remains concentrated on criminal defense, with an emphasis on case preparation, advocacy, and protecting the rights of the accused. She brings experience from serious felony cases and other criminal proceedings to clients who need clear advice about evidence, procedure, possible defenses, and the decisions that arise throughout a criminal case.

Law Office Affiliations

• Attorney, Overson & Bugden, PLLC
• Member, Utah State Bar
• President, Utah Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers

Licensed State

• Utah

Awards & Badges