NCJ Number
55087
Date Published
1978
Length
85 pages
Annotation
THIS REPORT, ONE IN A SERIES CONTAINING PROFILES OF NONFEDERAL COURT SYSTEMS, DESCRIBES THE ORGANIZATION OF STATE COURTS IN UTAH.
Abstract
THE UTAH COURT SYSTEM CONSISTS OF A SUPREME COURT, A COURT OF GENERAL JURISDICTION (DISTRICT COURT), AND THREE COURTS OF LIMITED JURISDICTION (CITY, JUVENILE, AND JUSTICE OF THE PEACE COURTS). THE SUPREME COURT IS THE COURT OF LAST RESORT. IT HAS APPELLATE JURISDICTION OVER ANY FINAL JUDGMENT OF DISTRICT AND JUVENILE COURTS AND OVER CONSTITUTIONAL ISSUES FROM JUSTICE OF THE PEACE AND CITY COURTS. THE TRIAL COURT OF GENERAL JURISDICTION HAS ORIGINAL JURISDICTION IN ALL CIVIL AND CRIMINAL MATTERS, EXCEPT THOSE JURISDICTIONS PROHIBITED BY LAW SUCH AS JUVENILES AND MUNICIPAL ORDINANCE VIOLATIONS. THE CITY COURT HAS CONCURRENT CIVIL JURISDICTION WITH THE DISTRICT COURT IN CASES INVOLVING LESS THAN $2,500 AND CRIMINAL JURISDICTION CONCURRENT WITH THE JUSTICE OF THE PEACE COURT IN MUNICIPAL ORDINANCE VIOLATIONS. THE JUSTICE OF THE PEACE COURT HAS CIVIL JURISDICTION IN ACTIONS INVOLVING LESS THAN $750 AND CRIMINAL JURISDICTION IN PETIT LARCENY, NONFELONIOUS ASSAULT, AND BREACHES OF THE PEACE. THE CIRCUIT COURT ACT WAS PASSED BY THE STATE LEGISLATURE IN 1977 AND ABOLISHED THE CITY COURT AS OF JULY 1978. PROCEDURES PERTAINING TO THE FOLLOWING AREAS HAVE BEEN ESTABLISHED: THE QUALIFICATIONS, SELECTION, AND TERM OF THE JUDICIARY; THE DISCIPLINE AND REMOVAL OF JUDGES; COMPENSATION; RETIREMENT AGE AND ACTIVE SERVICE; CONTINUING EDUCATION; AND THE USE OF PARAJUDICIAL OFFICERS. GENERAL CONTROL OVER INFERIOR COURTS IS GIVEN TO THE DISTRICT COURT. THE CHIEF JUDGE OF THE SUPREME COURT, HOWEVER, EXERCISES GENERAL ADMINISTRATIVE AUTHORITY OVER ALL COURTS IN UTAH. THE DETAILED PROFILE OF THE COURT SYSTEM CONCERNS THE COURT OF LAST RESORT, INTERMEDIATE APPELLATE COURT, TRIAL COURT OF GENERAL JURISDICTION, TRIAL COURTS OF LIMITED JURISDICTION, JUDGES, PARAJUDICIAL OFFICERS, NONJUDICIAL PERSONNEL, JUDICIAL POLICYMAKING AND ADVISORY BODIES, COURT ADMINISTRATION, COURT FINANCING, AND COURT RECORDS AND STATISTICS. SOURCES OF INFORMATION USED TO PREPARE THE PROFILE ARE LISTED. ORGANIZATIONAL CHARTS OF THE COURT SYSTEM ARE INCLUDED. DATA ON SIMILARITIES BETWEEN THE UTAH COURT SYSTEM AND AMERICAN BAR ASSOCIATION STANDARDS RELATING TO COURT ORGANIZATION ARE PROVIDED. (DEP)