Learn Where to Find, Access and Research Utah Arrest Records

Utah offers an interesting way to access court proceedings that most other states do not offer. Since 2001, district and juvenile courts have been digitally storing and distributing verbatim records. These sound recordings are available to the general public. Visit http://www.utcourts.gov/records/digitalrecordings/ for more information on this innovative digital recording program.

Privacy of Records

In Utah, there are several kinds of criminal and arrest records which are not made available to the public, even by request. These include adoptions, conservatorships, and guardianship hearing and decisions. In addition, to protect the privacy of the individuals involved, custody evaluations, home studies, and medical records are not made available to the general public.

There are certain circumstances wherein addresses or other types of personally identifying information may be with held from the public by request. If a person’s safety is in danger, identifying information will not be revealed. Social Security numbers, driver’s license numbers, and children’s names and dates of birth are also held confidential.

Arrest Record Information

Records on Utah arrests can contain any or all of the following information, depending on individual history:

•    Legal names and known aliases
•    Known addresses
•    Sex offender information
•    Criminal convictions
•    Arrests for misdemeanors and felonies
•    Probation information, including fines paid

Expunging Records

If a search does not find a Utah criminal record for someone you know was arrested in Utah, it is possible the record was expunged. It is a long process to get criminal records sealed.

First, the person must get a Certificate of Eligibility and fill out a petition. Next, the petition is served to the prosecuting attorney in the case and the Utah Department of Corrections. They notify the victim of the crime, who also has the right to object to the record being sealed. The court may hold a hearing on the matter, at which time everyone gets to testify as to why or why not the record should be sealed. The court’s decision is final.

Arrest Records Online

A search of the Utah State Courts arrest records site available at http://www.utcourts.gov/records/ reveals current Utah court records and archived Utah court records. A fee-based subscription to the Utah XChange allows users to access all district court case information and some higher level justice court case information.

Public records are entered by court staffs in the courthouse where the case files are stored. Summary information includes names, addresses, judges and attorneys, documents and hearings, and outcomes of completed cases.

Information began to be entered in the XChange system in 1998, so prior cases will not be found through a general search. Setup fees to subscribe to the service are $25 up front and $30 per month.

Archived court records for the state of Utah may be accessed by visiting http://archives.utah.gov/research/guides/http://www.peoplepublicrecords.org/index.html. Here you will find family history information, divorce and adoption records, Utah land records, military information, mining claims, and detailed information on laws and legislation pertaining to the state of Utah. Historical documents date back more than 100 years and most information is digitized and easily searched.