Title 78A - Judiciary and Judicial Administration
- Chapter 01 - Judiciary
- 78A-1-101 - Courts of justice enumerated -- Courts of record enumerated.
- 78A-1-102 - Trial courts of record -- Divisions.
- 78A-1-103 - Number of district judges.
- 78A-1-104 - Number of juvenile judges and jurisdictions.
- 78A-1-105 - Merger of district court and circuit court.
- 78A-1-106 - Transition clause -- Recodification of Title 78.
- 78A-1-107 - Savings clause -- Recodification of Title 78.
- Chapter 02 - Judicial Administration
- 78A-2-101 - Title.
- 78A-2-102 - Purpose.
- 78A-2-103 - Definitions.
- 78A-2-104 (Superseded 01/01/12) - Judicial Council -- Creation -- Members -- Terms and election -- Responsibilities -- Reports -- Guardian Ad Litem Oversight Committee.
- 78A-2-105 - Administrator of the courts -- Appointment -- Qualifications -- Salary.
- 78A-2-106 - Presiding officer -- Compensation -- Duties.
- 78A-2-107 - Court administrator -- Powers, duties, and responsibilities.
- 78A-2-108 - Assistants for administrator of the courts -- Appointment of trial court executives.
- 78A-2-109 - Courts to provide information and statistical data to administrator of the courts.
- 78A-2-110 - Data bases for judicial boards.
- 78A-2-111 - Annual judicial conference.
- 78A-2-112 - Grants to nonprofit legal assistance organization.
- 78A-2-113 - Judicial hiring freeze authorized.
- 78A-2-201 - Powers of every court.
- 78A-2-202 - Courts of justice -- Authority.
- 78A-2-203 - Rules -- Right to make -- Limitation -- Security.
- 78A-2-204 - Judicial Council to approve court seals.
- 78A-2-205 - When seal is affixed.
- 78A-2-206 - English language for proceedings.
- 78A-2-207 - Domestic relations cases -- Party designation.
- 78A-2-208 - Sittings of courts -- To be public -- Right to exclude in certain cases.
- 78A-2-209 - Sheriff to supply court rooms when the county legislative body neglects.
- 78A-2-210 - Change of place of trial because of calamity.
- 78A-2-211 - Court days.
- 78A-2-212 - Days on which court closed -- Exceptions.
- 78A-2-213 - Proceedings unaffected by vacancy in office of judge.
- 78A-2-214 - Collection of accounts receivable.
- 78A-2-215 - Abbreviations and numerals.
- 78A-2-216 - Fees for writ of garnishment -- Single or continuing.
- 78A-2-217 - Electronic writing.
- 78A-2-218 - Powers of every judicial officer -- Contempt.
- 78A-2-219 - Powers of judge contradistinguished from court.
- 78A-2-220 - Authority of magistrate.
- 78A-2-221 - Justices and judges -- Limitations during terms.
- 78A-2-222 - Disqualification for interest or relation to parties.
- 78A-2-223 - Decisions to be rendered within two months -- Procedures for decisions not rendered.
- 78A-2-224 - Bases for certain decisions limited.
- 78A-2-225 - Judge of court of record -- Service in other division or court.
- 78A-2-226 - Repeated application for orders forbidden -- Disobedience -- Contempt.
- 78A-2-227 - Appointment of attorney guardian ad litem in child abuse and neglect proceedings.
- 78A-2-228 - Private attorney guardian ad litem -- Appointment -- Costs and fees -- Duties -- Conflicts of interest -- Pro bono obligation -- Indemnification -- Minimum qualifications.
- 78A-2-229 - Documents provided to pro se litigants.
- 78A-2-230 - References to court pleadings and other papers.
- 78A-2-301 - Civil fees of the courts of record -- Courts complex design.
- 78A-2-302 - Impecunious litigants -- Affidavit.
- 78A-2-303 - False affidavit -- Penalty.
- 78A-2-304 - Effect of filing affidavit -- Nonprisoner.
- 78A-2-305 - Effect of filing affidavit -- Procedure for review and collection.
- 78A-2-306 - Notice of filing fee -- Consequence of nonpayment.
- 78A-2-307 - Filing fee challenge -- Court powers.
- 78A-2-308 - Failure to serve papers -- Penalty.
- 78A-2-309 - Liability for fees if successful in litigation.
- 78A-2-401 - Title.
- 78A-2-402 - Definitions.
- 78A-2-403 - Appointment of reporters -- Eligibility -- Oath -- Bond -- Action on bond.
- 78A-2-404 - Contract restrictions.
- 78A-2-405 - Record of court proceedings.
- 78A-2-408 - Transcripts and copies -- Fees.
- 78A-2-409 - Certified transcripts prima facie correct.
- 78A-2-410 - Transcripts taxed as costs.
- 78A-2-411 - Crimes.
- 78A-2-501 - Online court assistance program -- Purpose of program -- User's fee.
- 78A-2-502 - Creation of policy board -- Membership -- Terms -- Chair -- Quorum -- Expenses.
- 78A-2-601 - Security surcharge -- Application and exemptions -- Deposit in restricted account.
- 78A-2-602 - Court Security Account established -- Funding -- Uses.
- Chapter 03 - Supreme Court
- 78A-3-101 - Number of justices -- Terms -- Chief justice and associate chief justice -- Selection and functions.
- 78A-3-102 - Supreme Court jurisdiction.
- 78A-3-103 - Supreme Court -- Rulemaking, judges pro tempore, and practice of law.
- 78A-3-104 - Appellate court administrator.
- 78A-3-105 - Service of sheriff to court.
- Chapter 04 - Court of Appeals
- 78A-4-101 - Creation -- Seal.
- 78A-4-102 - Number of judges -- Terms -- Functions -- Filing fees.
- 78A-4-103 - Court of Appeals jurisdiction.
- 78A-4-104 - Location of Court of Appeals.
- 78A-4-105 - Review of actions by Supreme Court.
- 78A-4-106 - Appellate Mediation Office -- Protected records and information -- Governmental immunity.
- Chapter 05 - District Court
- 78A-5-101 - State District Court Administrative System.
- 78A-5-102 - Jurisdiction -- Appeals.
- 78A-5-103 - District court case management.
- 78A-5-104 - Terms -- Minimum of once quarterly.
- 78A-5-105 - Term of judges -- Vacancy.
- 78A-5-106 - Presiding judge -- Associate presiding judge -- Election -- Term -- Compensation -- Powers -- Duties.
- 78A-5-107 - Court commissioners -- Qualifications -- Appointment -- Functions governed by rule.
- 78A-5-108 - Duties of the clerk of the district court.
- 78A-5-109 - Costs of system.
- 78A-5-110 - Allocation of district court fees and forfeitures.
- 78A-5-111 - Transfer of court operating responsibilities -- Facilities -- Staff -- Budget.
- 78A-5-201 - Creation and expansion of existing drug court programs -- Definition of drug court program -- Criteria for participation in drug court programs -- Reporting requirements.
- 78A-5-202 - Creation of Drug Board Pilot Project -- Definition of Drug Board Pilot Project -- Criteria for parolee participation in the Drug Board Pilot Project -- Reporting requirements.
- Chapter 06 - Juvenile Court Act of 1996
- 78A-6-1001 (Superseded 07/01/11) - Jurisdiction over adults for offenses against minors -- Proof of delinquency not required for conviction.
- 78A-6-1002 - Practice and procedure -- Jury trial.
- 78A-6-1003 - Costs and expenses of trial.
- 78A-6-101 - Title.
- 78A-6-102 - Establishment of juvenile court -- Organization and status of court -- Purpose.
- 78A-6-103 - Jurisdiction of juvenile court -- Original -- Exclusive.
- 78A-6-104 - Concurrent jurisdiction -- District court and juvenile court.
- 78A-6-105 - Definitions.
- 78A-6-106 - Search warrants and subpoenas -- Authority to issue -- Protective custody -- Expedited hearing.
- 78A-6-107 - Expedited filing of petition -- Expedited hearings.
- 78A-6-108 - Title of petition and other court documents -- Form and contents of petition -- Order for temporary custody or protective services -- Physical or psychological examination of minor, parent
- 78A-6-109 - Summons -- Service and process -- Issuance and contents -- Notice to absent parent or guardian -- Emergency medical or surgical treatment -- Compulsory process for attendance of witnesses
- 78A-6-110 - Venue -- Transfer or certification to other districts -- Dismissal without adjudication on merits.
- 78A-6-1101 - Violation of order of court -- Contempt -- Penalty.
- 78A-6-1102 - Amendment of petition -- When authorized -- Continuance of proceedings.
- 78A-6-1103 - Modification or termination of custody order or decree -- Grounds -- Procedure.
- 78A-6-1104 - When photographs, fingerprints, or HIV infection tests may be taken -- Distribution -- Expungement.
- 78A-6-1105 - Expungement of juvenile court record -- Petition -- Procedure.
- 78A-6-1106 - Child support obligation when custody of a child is vested in an individual or institution.
- 78A-6-1107 - Transfer of continuing jurisdiction to other district.
- 78A-6-1108 - New hearings authorized -- Grounds and procedure.
- 78A-6-1109 - Appeals.
- 78A-6-111 - Appearances -- Parents, guardian, or legal custodian to appear with minor or child -- Failure to appear -- Contempt -- Warrant of arrest, when authorized -- Parent's employer to grant
- 78A-6-1110 - Cooperation of political subdivisions and public or private agencies and organizations.
- 78A-6-1111 - Right to counsel -- Appointment of counsel for indigent -- Cost -- Court hearing to determine compelling reason to appoint a noncontracting attorney -- Rate of pay.
- 78A-6-1112 - Exchange of information with agency or institution having legal custody -- Transfer of minor to state prison or other adult facility prohibited.
- 78A-6-1113 - Property damage caused by a minor -- Liability of parent or legal guardian -- Criminal conviction or adjudication for criminal mischief or criminal trespass not a prerequisite for civil a
- 78A-6-112 - Minor taken into custody by peace officer, private citizen, or probation officer -- Grounds -- Notice requirements -- Release or detention -- Grounds for peace officer to take adult into c
- 78A-6-113 - Placement of minor in detention or shelter facility -- Grounds -- Detention hearings -- Period of detention -- Notice -- Confinement for criminal proceedings -- Bail laws inapplicable -- E
- 78A-6-114 - Hearings -- Public excluded, exceptions -- Victims admitted -- Minor's cases heard separately from adult cases -- Minor or parents or custodian heard separately -- Continuance of heari
- 78A-6-115 - Hearings -- Record -- County attorney or district attorney responsibilities -- Attorney general responsibilities -- Disclosure -- Admissibility of evidence.
- 78A-6-116 - Minor's cases considered civil proceedings -- Adjudication of jurisdiction by juvenile court not conviction of crime -- Exceptions -- Minor not to be charged with crime -- Exception --
- 78A-6-117 (Superseded 07/01/11) - Adjudication of jurisdiction of juvenile court -- Disposition of cases -- Enumeration of possible court orders -- Considerations of court -- Obtaining DNA sample.
- 78A-6-118 - Period of operation of judgment, decree, or order -- Rights and responsibilities of agency or individual granted legal custody.
- 78A-6-119 - Modification of order or decree -- Requirements for changing or terminating custody, probation, or protective supervision.
- 78A-6-120 - Continuing jurisdiction of juvenile court -- Period of and termination of jurisdiction -- Notice of discharge from custody of local mental health authority or Utah State Developmental Cent
- 78A-6-1201 - Title.
- 78A-6-1202 (Superseded 07/01/11) - Definitions.
- 78A-6-1203 - Youth Court -- Authorization -- Referral.
- 78A-6-1204 - Parental involvement -- Victims -- Restitution.
- 78A-6-1205 - Dispositions.
- 78A-6-1206 - Liability.
- 78A-6-1207 - Fees.
- 78A-6-1208 - Youth Court Board -- Membership -- Responsibilities.
- 78A-6-1209 - Establishing a Youth Court -- Sponsoring entity responsibilities.
- 78A-6-121 - Entry of judgment for fine or restitution -- Transfer for collection.
- 78A-6-1210 - School credit.
- 78A-6-201 - Judges of juvenile court -- Appointments -- Terms.
- 78A-6-202 - Sessions of juvenile court.
- 78A-6-203 - Board of Juvenile Court Judges -- Composition -- Purpose.
- 78A-6-204 - Administrator of the juvenile court -- Appointment -- Qualifications -- Powers and duties.
- 78A-6-205 - District court executives -- Selection -- Duties.
- 78A-6-206 - Juvenile court employees -- Salaries -- State courts personnel system -- Exemptions and discharge.
- 78A-6-207 - Volunteers.
- 78A-6-208 - Mental health evaluations -- Duty of administrator.
- 78A-6-209 - Court records -- Inspection.
- 78A-6-210 - Fines -- Fees -- Deposit with state treasurer -- Restricted account.
- 78A-6-211 - Courtrooms -- Physical facilities.
- 78A-6-301 - Definitions.
- 78A-6-302 - Court-ordered protective custody of a child following petition filing -- Grounds.
- 78A-6-303 - Rules of procedure -- Ex parte communications.
- 78A-6-304 - Petition filed.
- 78A-6-305 - Opportunity for a child to testify or address the court.
- 78A-6-306 - Shelter hearing.
- 78A-6-307 - Shelter hearing -- Placement -- DCFS custody.
- 78A-6-307.5 - Post-shelter hearing placement of a child who is in division custody.
- 78A-6-308 - Criminal background checks necessary prior to out-of-home placement.
- 78A-6-309 - Pretrial and adjudication hearing -- Time deadlines.
- 78A-6-310 - Notice of adjudication hearing.
- 78A-6-311 - Adjudication -- Dispositional hearing -- Time deadlines.
- 78A-6-312 - Dispositional hearing -- Reunification services -- Exceptions.
- 78A-6-313 - Six-month review hearing -- Court determination regarding reasonable efforts by the Division of Child and Family Services and parental compliance with child and family plan requirements.
- 78A-6-314 - Permanency hearing -- Final plan -- Petition for termination of parental rights filed -- Hearing on termination of parental rights.
- 78A-6-315 - Periodic review hearings.
- 78A-6-316 - Mandatory petition for termination of parental rights.
- 78A-6-317 - All proceedings -- Persons entitled to be present.
- 78A-6-318 - Review of foster care removal -- Foster parent's standing.
- 78A-6-319 - Educational neglect of a child -- Procedures -- Defenses.
- 78A-6-320 - Proceedings arising from failure to attend public school.
- 78A-6-321 - Treatment for offender and victim -- Costs.
- 78A-6-322 - Abuse, neglect, or dependency of child -- Coordination of proceedings.
- 78A-6-323 - Additional finding at adjudication hearing -- Petition -- Court records.
- 78A-6-324 - Mental health therapists.
- 78A-6-401 - Separate procedures for minors committed to the Division of Child and Family Services on grounds other than abuse or neglect -- Attorney general responsibility.
- 78A-6-501 - Title.
- 78A-6-502 - Definitions.
- 78A-6-503 - Judicial process for termination -- Parent unfit or incompetent -- Best interest of child.
- 78A-6-504 - Petition -- Who may file.
- 78A-6-505 - Contents of petition.
- 78A-6-506 - Notice -- Nature of proceedings.
- 78A-6-507 - Grounds for termination of parental rights -- Findings regarding reasonable efforts.
- 78A-6-508 - Evidence of grounds for termination.
- 78A-6-509 - Specific considerations where child is not in physical custody of parent.
- 78A-6-510 - Specific considerations where a child has been placed in foster home.
- 78A-6-511 - Court disposition of child upon termination.
- 78A-6-512 - Review following termination.
- 78A-6-513 - Effect of decree.
- 78A-6-514 - Voluntary relinquishment -- Irrevocable.
- 78A-6-515 - Mental health therapist.
- 78A-6-601 - Criminal proceedings involving minors -- Transfer to juvenile court -- Exception.
- 78A-6-602 - Petition -- Preliminary inquiry -- Nonjudicial adjustments -- Formal referral -- Citation -- Failure to appear.
- 78A-6-603 - Citation procedure -- Citation -- Offenses -- Time limits -- Failure to appear.
- 78A-6-604 - Minor held in detention -- Credit for good behavior.
- 78A-6-605 - Dispositional report required in minor's cases -- Exceptions.
- 78A-6-606 (Superseded 07/01/11) - Suspension of license for certain offenses.
- 78A-6-701 - Jurisdiction of district court.
- 78A-6-702 - Serious youth offender -- Procedure.
- 78A-6-703 (Superseded 11/01/10) - Certification hearings -- Juvenile court to hold preliminary hearing -- Factors considered by juvenile court for waiver of jurisdiction to district court.
- 78A-6-704 - Appeals from serious youth offender and certification proceedings.
- 78A-6-801 - Purpose.
- 78A-6-802 - Definitions.
- 78A-6-803 - Petition for emancipation.
- 78A-6-804 - Court procedure.
- 78A-6-805 - Emancipation.
- 78A-6-901 - Office of Guardian Ad Litem -- Appointment of director -- Duties of director -- Contracts in second, third, and fourth districts.
- 78A-6-902 - Appointment of attorney guardian ad litem -- Duties and responsibilities -- Training -- Trained staff and court-appointed special advocate volunteers -- Costs -- Immunity -- Annual report.
- Chapter 07 - Justice Court
- 78A-7-101 - Creation of justice court -- Not of record.
- 78A-7-102 - Creation of justice courts -- Classes of justice courts.
- 78A-7-103 - Requirements by Judicial Council for creating and certifying justice courts.
- 78A-7-104 - Justice court judge authority.
- 78A-7-105 - Territorial jurisdiction -- Voting.
- 78A-7-106 - Jurisdiction.
- 78A-7-108 - Justice court judge to collect fees before filing action -- Penalty.
- 78A-7-109 - Process to any part of the state -- Service.
- 78A-7-110 - Docket to be kept -- Enumeration of entries required.
- 78A-7-111 - Docket entries -- Prima facie evidence.
- 78A-7-112 - Docket index.
- 78A-7-113 - Delivery of docket and papers to successor.
- 78A-7-114 - Filing and docketing of abstract.
- 78A-7-115 - All papers issued, except subpoenas, to be filled out without blanks.
- 78A-7-116 - Execution on judgment.
- 78A-7-117 - Judgment not a lien unless so recorded.
- 78A-7-118 - Appeals from justice court -- Trial or hearing de novo in district court.
- 78A-7-119 - Disposition of money received.
- 78A-7-120 - Disposition of fines.
- 78A-7-121 - Funds collected -- Deposits and reports -- Special account -- Accounting.
- 78A-7-122 - Security surcharge -- Application -- Deposit in restricted accounts.
- 78A-7-123 - Dissolution of justice courts.
- 78A-7-201 - Justice court judge eligibility -- Mandatory retirement -- Service after retirement.
- 78A-7-202 - Justice court judges to be appointed -- Procedure -- Retention.
- 78A-7-203 - Term of office for justice court judge.
- 78A-7-204 - Offices of justice court judges.
- 78A-7-205 - Required annual training -- Expenses -- Failure to attend.
- 78A-7-206 - Determination of compensation and limits -- Salary survey -- Limits on secondary employment.
- 78A-7-207 - Compensation -- Annual review and adjustment.
- 78A-7-208 - Temporary justice court judge.
- 78A-7-209 - Justice court staff to be provided.
- 78A-7-210 - Justice court judge administrative responsibilities.
- 78A-7-211 - Compensation and expenses -- Clerical personnel.
- 78A-7-212 - Place of holding court.
- 78A-7-213 - Trial facilities -- Hours of business.
- 78A-7-214 - Laws, ordinances, and reference materials provided by counties, cities, and towns.
- 78A-7-215 - Monthly reports to court administrator and governing body.
- 78A-7-301 - Justice Court Technology, Security, and Training Account established -- Funding -- Uses.
- Chapter 08 - Small Claims Courts
- 78A-8-101 - Creation.
- 78A-8-102 - Small claims -- Defined -- Counsel not necessary -- Deferring multiple claims of one plaintiff -- Supreme Court to govern procedures.
- 78A-8-103 - Assignee may not file claim.
- 78A-8-104 - Object of small claims -- Attachment, garnishment, and execution.
- 78A-8-105 - Civil filing fees.
- 78A-8-106 - Appeals -- Who may take and jurisdiction.
- 78A-8-107 - Costs.
- 78A-8-108 - Evening hours -- Judges pro tempore.
- 78A-8-109 - Report to Judiciary Interim Committee.
- Chapter 09 - Attorneys
- Chapter 10 - Judicial Selection Act
- 78A-10-101 - Title.
- 78A-10-102 - Nomination, appointment, and confirmation of judges.
- 78A-10-103 - Procedures governing meetings of judicial nominating commissions.
- 78A-10-104 - Convening of judicial nominating commissions -- Certification to governor of nominees -- Meetings to investigate prospective candidates.
- 78A-10-105 - Senate confirmation of judicial appointments -- Courts of record.
- 78A-10-201 - Creation.
- 78A-10-202 - Membership.
- 78A-10-203 - Procedure.
- 78A-10-204 - Vacancies.
- 78A-10-205 - Expenses -- Per diem and travel.
- 78A-10-301 - Creation.
- 78A-10-302 - Membership.
- 78A-10-303 - Procedure.
- 78A-10-304 - Vacancies.
- 78A-10-305 - Expenses -- Per diem and travel.
- Chapter 11 - Judicial Conduct Commission
- 78A-11-101 - Creation.
- 78A-11-102 - Definitions.
- 78A-11-103 - Judicial Conduct Commission -- Members -- Terms -- Vacancies -- Voting -- Power of chair.
- 78A-11-104 - Expenses -- Per diem and travel.
- 78A-11-105 - Grounds for reprimand, censure, suspension, removal, or involuntary retirement of justice, judge, or justice court judge -- Suspension.
- 78A-11-106 - Criminal investigation of a judge -- Administrative leave.
- 78A-11-107 - Referral of attorney misconduct.
- 78A-11-108 - Involuntary disability retirement or removal of a judge.
- 78A-11-109 - Receipt of complaints.
- 78A-11-110 - Hearing.
- 78A-11-111 - Supreme Court action.
- 78A-11-112 - Confidentiality.
- 78A-11-113 - Subpoena power of the commission -- Testimony -- Contempt.
- Chapter 12 - Judicial Performance Evaluation Commission Act
- 78A-12-101 - Title.
- 78A-12-102 - Definitions.
- 78A-12-201 - Judicial Performance Evaluation Commission -- Creation -- Membership -- Salary -- Staff.
- 78A-12-202 - Salary and expenses -- Staff.
- 78A-12-203 - Judicial performance evaluations.
- 78A-12-204 - Judicial performance survey.
- 78A-12-205 - Minimum performance standards.
- 78A-12-206 - Publication of the judicial performance evaluation.