Taylor Frankie Paul’s 2023 plea deal might be in jeopardy now that there are fresh domestic assault allegations against her.
“When someone is on probation for a violent offense, few things are worse than picking up another arrest for a crime of violence — especially when both cases involve allegations of domestic abuse,” criminal defense attorney R.J. Dreiling, a former Los Angeles County prosecutor in the family violence unit, exclusively tells Us Weekly. (Taylor has not been arrested, but the Draper Police Department in Utah confirmed there’s an open “domestic assault investigation” involving her and her ex Dakota Mortensen related to a February incident and that “allegations have been made in both directions.”
Dreiling spoke about Taylor’s future, which he claimed could include jail time.
“Even if there ultimately isn’t enough to formally charge her in the most recent case, the prosecutor could still treat it as a probation violation — potentially moving to revoke her prior deal and seek custody time,” he said.
Dakota Mortensen and Taylor Frankie Paul Disney/Fred HayesIn February 2023, the Secret Lives of Mormon Wives star was charged with aggravated assault, two counts of domestic violence in the presence of a child, child abuse and criminal mischief stemming from a physical altercation with Dakota.
On Thursday, March 19, TMZ published a video of the 2023 fight, in which Taylor was seen hurling metal chairs at Dakota, with one seemingly hitting her daughter, who was on the couch and witnessed the altercation.
Nearly three years ago, Taylor pleaded guilty to felony aggravated assault in exchange for dismissing the other charges against her. Per the plea deal, her aggravated assault charge would drop to a misdemeanor in August 2026, provided she followed the agreement’s conditions. One of those terms was not to violate any laws.
She was placed on 36-month probation, which is scheduled to end on August 24, 2026.
Two other experts explain how the latest incident could challenge Taylor’s plea agreement.
Footage Shows Mormon Wives' Taylor's Child Crying During Dakota Altercation
The latest allegations against Taylor “will likely affect her 2023 plea deal. She doesn’t even have to be convicted in the new case. Any arrest or charges can be the basis for a violation because the standard is usually the preponderance of the evidence, or slightly more likely than not,” former federal prosecutor Neama Rahmani, president of Los Angeles-based West Coast Trial Lawyers, told Us.
“The judge can hold a hearing and if a violation is found, Paul may lose the benefit or her plea agreement, and the felony charge may be reinstated. So essentially, the new arrest allows prosecutors to file new charges and to reopen the old case,” he added.
Criminal defense attorney Sam Bassett of Austin, Texas-based Minton, Bassett, Flores & Carsey agrees.
“It is possible the prior charges could be reinstated and her ‘deferral’ or probation could be revoked, at the court’s discretion,” Bassett shared to Us. “When you have a deferral or probation on a charge, it usually means that a court can review the agreement if you are charged with another crime and/or violate other terms and conditions. This could mean she may be sentenced to jail or prison, at the court’s discretion depending upon the strength of evidence from the February incident. It is a fact-driven analysis by a court.”
He explained what could happen next.
Taylor Frankie Paul and Dakota Mortensen's Ex-Neighbor Details Living Nearby
“In this situation a report is generated if a new charge is filed and is provided to the court and prosecution. They then decide if they are going to file a motion to revoke the prior plea deferral and, if so, the old case is set for hearings to determine outcome. Sometimes, the court waits to see if charges are actually filed on the new investigation before taking any steps toward revocation,” Bassett said.
When Us reached out to the Salt Lake City District Attorney’s Office on Wednesday, March 18, to question whether the latest allegations put Taylor’s 2023 plea deal at risk, a spokesperson exclusively shared, “There is an active police investigation confirmed by the Draper Police Department. Our office has not been sent materials to conduct a formal screening. We are unable to comment on what impact this case may have on an individual’s probation status at this time.”
The current investigation against Taylor and Dakota is ongoing.
Filming for season five of Mormon Wives has been paused in light of the accusations. Taylor is also gearing up for her debut as the Bachelorette. Season 22 of the ABC dating show is set to air on Sunday, March 22.
Taylor addressed the scandal in an exclusive interview with Us on Tuesday, March 17.
“There’s more to the context to everything and it’s unfortunate,” she said at a New York City press dinner. “It’s been hard. And it sucks to be in this position. And the mother that I am, that is something I will always stand my ground on. I believe that I am a good mother and I have always treated my kids very well.”
A rep for Dakota, meanwhile, said in a statement to Entertainment Weekly that “his number one priority here is protecting their son, Ever.” (Taylor shares one child with Dakota and two other kids with her ex-husband, Tate Paul.)
“He knew there was a possibility it could come out, but he was not going to be the one to proactively do that because he has always wanted a decent relationship with Taylor,” the rep continued on Wednesday, March 18.
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