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))
