Stephen McCaughey began his career with the Salt Lake Public Defenders Office, and was in that office between the years of 1974 and 1976.

Since that time, Mr. McCaughey has been counsel in over 25 capital homicide cases and in over 100 homicide cases in total. His practice concentration is in drug offenses, violent crimes and white collar offenses in both Federal and State courts.

In August, 2012, McCaughey got a not guilty verdict in a capital homicide case involving a confession and the killing of a female deputy sheriff. It was the first not guilty involving the slaying of a police officer in Utah in 40 years.

Mr. McCaughey has represented individuals in the State and Federal Courts in Utah, Nebraska, South Dakota, Idaho, Wyoming, Nevada, Arizona, New Mexico, Wisconsin, Oregon, Washington, California, Colorado, and Kansas.