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Utah State Courts

Courts – State Courts – Utah

Highest Court

The highest court in Utah is the Supreme Court of Utah.  The Supreme Court consists of 5 justices. It has jurisdiction over (1) Appeals from District Court civil except domestic relations. (2) Appeals from capital and first degree felonies. (3) Review of administrative agencies. (4) Certiorari from Court of Appeals. (5) Automatic review of Judicial Conduct Commission. (6) Original Jurisdiction: Questions from federal courts.

Intermediate Courts

Court of  Appeals
The Court of Appeals consists of 7 judges and 3 member panels. It has jurisdiction over (1) Appeals from district court except small claims. (2) Appeals from juvenile court. (3)Appeals from domestic relations. (4) Appeals from criminal except first degree and capital felonies. (5) Review of administrative agencies. (6) Appeals transferred from Supreme Court (civil or criminal, except capital cases).

General Courts

District Court
The District Court consists of 70 judges.  It has jurisdiction over (1) Criminal felonies, and misdemeanors and infractions. (2) All civil. (3) Review of administrative agencies. (4) Small Claims. (5) Small Claims appeals.

Limited Courts

Juvenile Court
The Juvenile Court consists of 25 judges. It has jurisdiction over (1) Violation of criminal statute by minor (18). (2) Child abuse and dependency. (3) Termination of parental rights. (4) Limited traffic violations.

Justice Courts
The Justice Court consists of 109 judges. It has jurisdiction over (1) Small claims ($5,500). (2) Class B & C misdemeanors, infractions, and traffic. (3) Some felony preliminary hearings.

Additional Information

Term of judges — Vacancy.
The term of office for judges of the district courts is six years, and commences on the first Monday in
January, next following the date of election. A judge whose term expires may serve, upon request of the Judicial Council, until a successor is appointed and qualified.(Utah Code  78-3-3)

Judicial Administration Act
The purpose of this act is to create an administrative system is created for all courts of this state, subject to central direction by the Judicial Council, to enable these courts to provide uniformity and coordination in the administration of justice.(Utah Code 78-3-19. Purpose of act.

Sessions of juvenile court.
Regular juvenile court sessions shall be held at the designated place chosen by the judge(s) of the juvenile court district.  Sessions will be held as the said judge directs, except other times when sessions will be held by the urgency of the case. (Utah Code 78-3a-108)

Reporting of prohibited acts affecting a school —Confidentiality.
The identity person who makes a reasonable notice to a to the appropriate persons concerning aa prohibited act affecting a school will be be kept confidential.(Utah Code 78-3e-2)

Oaths — Who may administer.
Every court, every judge, clerk and deputy clerk of any court, every justice, every notary public, and every officer or person authorized to take testimony in any action or proceeding, or to decide upon evidence, has power to administer oaths or affirmations.(Utah Code   78-24-16)

Affirmation or declaration instead of oath allowed.
A person that options not to take an oath may make a solemn affirmation by declaring instead: “You do solemnly affirm (or declare) that . . . .” etc., as in Section 78-24-17.(Utah Code 78-24-18)

Online court assistance program — Purpose of program — User’s fee.
The online court assistance program provides the public information regarding: (a)  uncontested divorces;   (b)  enforcement of orders in the divorce decree;   (c)  landlord and tenant actions; and  (d)  other types of proceedings approved by the Online Court Assistance Program Policy Board.  The purpose of the program is to:     (a)  minimize the costs of civil litigation;  (b)  improve access to the courts; and  (c)  provide for informed use of the courts and the law by pro se litigants.(Utah Code 78-28-1(1)(2))


Inside Utah State Courts