Salt Lake County Criminal Court handles all criminal cases that are filed in Salt Lake County. See below for more information about criminal cases in Salt Lake County.
What is the Burden of Proof?
The term “Burden of Proof” means that the prosecutor is required to prove the guilt of the defendant beyond a reasonable doubt. If the prosecutor cannot provide proof of the defendants guilt, then the judge or jury in a trial must find the defendant not guilty. In the United States the principle innocent until proven guilty derives from this that the defendant is assumed innocent and the prosecution has the burden of proving beyond a reasonable doubt that the defendant is guilty.
Who is the prosecutor for Salt Lake County?
Depending upon the case, the prosecutor for Salt Lake County criminal cases will either be a representative of Salt Lake County or a representative from Utah. After reviewing evidence it is the prosecutor’s decision whether to file charges or drop a case. Most prosecutors have the ability to negotiate plea bargains, and determine how the case will be prosecuted.
Salt Lake County Criminal Court
What is a Plea Agreement?
A plea agreement is a deal made between the prosecution and the defendant in a case, where the defendant agrees to plea guilty to a particular charge in exchange for some concession from the prosecutor. In practice, more than 90% of criminal cases end with a plea agreement.
I need help for my Salt Lake County criminal case
The best place to get information about your criminal case is from an attorney. If you cannot afford an attorney, the court will appoint one to represent you which will assist in your case. For general information about your case the Salt Lake County court clerk is able to provide general information about your specific case (e.g. date/time hearings, mandatory appearance, what will take place and what you will be required to do). The court clerk for Salt Lake County will NOT be able to provide legal advice for your case, only an attorney can provide legal advice. The court clerk can provide legal information (like the information found on this website) about your case but cannot provide advice about what you should do in your legal manner.
Arraignments in Salt Lake County
During an arraignment in Salt Lake County, a defendant appears before the court and the judge reads the charges that have been filed against the accused and also informs the defendant of his/her rights. During the arraignment in Salt Lake County, the defendant can choose to plead one of the following 1) Guilty 2) Not Guilty or 3) No Contest. If the defendant enters a plea of Not Guilty, a date for trial is set. In the event of a Guilty or No Contest Plea in Salt Lake County the defendant may be sentenced at that time or the sentencing may take place at a later date.
The Right to Counsel
The Fifth and Sixth Amendments to the U.s. Constitution give defendants in criminal cases the right to counsel/attorney. If you cannot afford an attorney one will be appointed to represent you. Like other rights a defendant has, this one can be waived as well and alternatively you can choose to represent yourself.
Salt Lake County Criminal Court hearings
Criminal hearings in Salt Lake County will take place at the Salt Lake County Criminal Courts. Please see here for a list of the Salt Lake County Criminal Court Locations.
Appealing a guilty verdict
A defendant may appeal a guilty verdict to an appellate court. This is not a request to have another trial, but a request for an appellate court to review the case and determine that it was handled in a correct legal manner. There are a number of outcomes in an appeal including an upholding of the conviction, a finding that errors were made resulting in a retrial or resentencing or possibly a complete disimissal of all charges.
If guilty, who sentences the defendant?
If the defendant is found guilty after the trial, the defendent will be sentenced. In some cases, this can occur at the same hearing the defendant is found guilty in court, in other cases a separate hearing will be required. Often the prosecution will request a particular sentence for the defendant and the judge will determine whether to enforce this sentence or impose a different sentence for the defendant.
Right to Jury Trial
For “Serious Crimes”, those that can have a potential penalty of 6 months in jail OR a minimum $500 penalty, the US Constitution guarantees a right to trial by jury. This is guaranteed by Article III of the Constitution and the 6th Amendment. The accused has the ability to waive their right to trial by jury.
Jury Deliberation
In a jury trial in Salt Lake County, after both the prosecution and defense have rested, the judge will give instructions to the jury and jury deliberations will begin. The jury will convence in a private room to discuss and deliberate the innocence or guilt of the defendant. Once the jury arrives at a unimanous decision, they will inform the judge that they have reached a decision. They will return to the court and the verdict will be read aloud. If the jury cannot reach a unaminous decision, the jury is said to be deadlocked and a mistrial will be declared in the case.
Required Court Appearances in Salt Lake County
Any required court appearances in Salt Lake County Criminal Court must be attended by the defendant. Failure to appear in court at your required date and time may result in the judge issuing an arrest warrant.
Salt Lake County Criminal Court Locations
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3rd District Court – Salt Lake County (Salt Lake City)
Address: 450 South State Street, PO Box 1860, Salt Lake City, UT 84114
Phone: 801-238-7334 Fax: 801-238-7430 -
3rd District Court – Salt Lake County (West Jordan)
Address: 8080 South Redwood Road, Suite 1701, West Jordan, UT 84088
Phone: 801-233-9771 Fax: 801-233-9760 -
3rd District Juvenile Court – Salt Lake County (Matheson)
Address: 450 South State Street, PO Box 140431, Salt Lake City, UT 84114
Phone: 801-238-7700 Fax: 801-238-7767 -
3rd District Juvenile Court – Salt Lake County (West Jordan)
Address: 8080 South Redwood Road, West Jordan, UT 84088
Phone: 801-233-9600 Fax: 801-233-9620 -
Alta Justice Court
Address: PO Box 8016, Alta, UT 84092
Phone: 801-742-2407 Fax: 801-742-1006 -
Bluffdale Justice Court
Address: 14175 South Redwood Road, Bluffdale, UT 84065
Phone: 801-446-9219 Fax: 801-446-8642 -
Draper Justice Court
Address: 1020 East Pioneer Road, Draper, UT 84020
Phone: 801-576-6544 Fax: 801-576-6343 -
Herriman Justice Court
Address: 13011 South Pioneer Street, Herriman, UT 84096
Phone: 801-446-5323 Fax: 801-446-5324 -
Holladay Justice Court
Address: 4580 South 2300 East, Holladay, UT 84117
Phone: 801-273-9731 Fax: 801-527-2497 -
Midvale Justice Court
Address: 655 West Center Street, Midvale, UT 84047
Phone: 801-255-4234 Fax: 801-567-1696 -
Murray Justice Court
Address: 688 East Vine Street, PO Box 57520, Murray, UT 84157
Phone: 801-284-4280 Fax: 801-284-4285 -
Riverton City Justice Court
Address: 12830 South Redwood Road, Riverton, UT 84065
Phone: 801-208-3131 Fax: 801-446-4274 -
Salt Lake City Justice Court
Address: 333 South 200 East, Salt Lake City, UT 84111
Phone: 801-535-6300 Fax: 801-535-6302 -
Salt Lake County Justice Court
Address: 2001 South State Street S4200, Salt Lake City, UT 84190
Phone: 801-468-3430 Fax: 801-468-2171 -
Sandy Justice Court
Address: 210 West Sego Lily Drive, Sandy, UT 84070
Phone: 801-568-7160 Fax: 801-568-7166 -
South Jordan Justice Court
Address: 1600 West Town Center Drive, South Jordan, UT 84095
Phone: 801-254-6381 Fax: 801-253-5219 -
South Salt Lake Justice Court
Address: 220 East Morris Avenue, Salt Lake City, UT 84115
Phone: 801-483-6072 Fax: 801-464-6786 -
Taylorsville Justice Court
Address: 2600 West Taylorsville Boulevard, Taylorsville, UT 84118
Phone: 801-963-0268 Fax: 801-963-0576 -
West Jordan Justice Court
Address: 8040 South Redwood Road, West Jordan, UT 84084
Phone: 801-256-2290 Fax: 801-256-2283 -
West Valley Justice Court
Address: 3590 South Constitution Boulevard, West Valley, UT 84119
Phone: 801-963-3590 Fax: 801-963-3589