Salt Lake County Public Records /Salt Lake County Criminal Records

Salt Lake County Criminal Records

What Is Salt Lake County Criminal Records

Criminal records in Salt Lake County encompass official documentation of an individual's interactions with the criminal justice system within the county's jurisdiction. These records are maintained pursuant to Utah Code § 63G-2, which establishes the Government Records Access and Management Act (GRAMA) framework for public records management.

Criminal records in Salt Lake County include several distinct categories:

Arrest Records: Documentation of when an individual is taken into custody by law enforcement, which may not necessarily result in charges or conviction
Charging Documents: Formal accusations filed by the Salt Lake County District Attorney's Office
Court Case Records: Official documentation of criminal proceedings in Salt Lake County courts
Conviction Records: Final judgments resulting from guilty pleas, trial verdicts, or other adjudications
Incarceration Records: Documentation of time served in Salt Lake County correctional facilities

It is important to distinguish between arrest records and conviction records. Arrest records document that an individual was taken into custody but do not indicate guilt, while conviction records confirm that a person was found guilty of a criminal offense through legal proceedings.

Criminal records also differentiate between felonies and misdemeanors. Felonies in Salt Lake County are more serious offenses potentially punishable by imprisonment in the Utah State Prison system, while misdemeanors typically result in county jail sentences of less than one year, probation, or fines.

Adult criminal records in Salt Lake County are generally accessible to the public, whereas juvenile records are typically sealed under Utah Code § 78A-6-1105 to protect minors' privacy and future opportunities.

Several agencies maintain criminal records in Salt Lake County:

Salt Lake County Sheriff's Office
3365 South 900 West
South Salt Lake, UT 84119
Phone: (385) 468-9800
Salt Lake County Sheriff's Office

Third District Court
450 South State Street
Salt Lake City, UT 84114
Phone: (801) 238-7300
Utah Courts

Utah Bureau of Criminal Identification
4315 South 2700 West, Suite 1300
Salt Lake City, UT 84129
Phone: (801) 965-4445
Utah Bureau of Criminal Identification

Salt Lake County District Attorney's Office
35 East 500 South
Salt Lake City, UT 84111
Phone: (385) 468-7600
Salt Lake County District Attorney

Are Criminal Records Public In Salt Lake County

Criminal records in Salt Lake County are generally considered public records under Utah's Government Records Access and Management Act (GRAMA), codified in Utah Code § 63G-2-201. This statute establishes the presumption that government records are public unless specifically classified otherwise by law.

The relevant provision states: "A record is public unless otherwise expressly provided by statute." This legal framework ensures transparency in government operations while balancing privacy concerns and other public interests.

While many criminal records are accessible to the public, certain categories have restricted access:

Active investigations: Records pertaining to ongoing criminal investigations are classified as protected under GRAMA to preserve the integrity of law enforcement activities
Sealed or expunged records: Court-ordered sealing or expungement removes records from public access
Juvenile records: Most juvenile court records are not publicly accessible unless the juvenile was tried as an adult for serious offenses
Victim information: Personal identifying information of crime victims may be redacted to protect privacy
Records containing sensitive personal information: Social security numbers, medical information, and other private data may be redacted

Adult conviction records are generally the most accessible type of criminal record. Court proceedings, including hearings, trials, and sentencing, are typically open to public observation in Salt Lake County courtrooms unless specifically closed by judicial order.

The Utah Department of Public Safety maintains the central repository of criminal history information for the state, including Salt Lake County. Access to comprehensive criminal history reports may require fingerprint submission and payment of associated fees.

Members of the public seeking criminal records should be aware that while the law provides for access, practical limitations such as search capabilities, record organization, and agency resources may affect the ease of obtaining specific information.

How To Look Up Criminal Records In Salt Lake County in 2026

Members of the public seeking criminal records in Salt Lake County may utilize several methods to access this information. The following procedures are currently in effect for obtaining criminal records:

Online Search Options:

Access the Utah Courts XChange system to search court cases by name or case number. This system requires registration and payment of search fees.
Visit the Salt Lake County Sheriff's Office Jail Information System to view current inmate information, including booking photos, charges, and bail information.
Utilize the Utah Department of Public Safety Criminal History Portal for statewide criminal history information. Note that this requires the subject's consent or proper legal authority.

In-Person Record Requests:

Visit the Third District Court clerk's office to request court records:

Third District Court
450 South State Street
Salt Lake City, UT 84114
Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Phone: (801) 238-7300

Submit requests for arrest records at the Salt Lake County Sheriff's Office:

Salt Lake County Sheriff's Office Records Division
3365 South 900 West
South Salt Lake, UT 84119
Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Phone: (385) 468-9800

Request criminal history information from the Utah Bureau of Criminal Identification:

Utah Bureau of Criminal Identification
4315 South 2700 West, Suite 1300
Salt Lake City, UT 84129
Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Phone: (801) 965-4445

Written Requests:

Submit a GRAMA request form to the appropriate agency. Forms are available on the Salt Lake County Government website or at agency offices. Include:

Full name of the subject (including aliases)
Date of birth (if known)
Approximate date of incident or case
Case number (if known)
Your contact information
Purpose of request
Signature and date

Pursuant to Utah Code § 63G-2-204, agencies must respond to records requests within 10 business days, or 5 business days if the requester demonstrates an urgent need.

Fees may apply for record searches and copies. Current fee schedules are available from each agency. Some agencies accept payment by credit card, while others require cash, check, or money order.

How To Find Criminal Records in Salt Lake County Online?

Salt Lake County residents and interested parties can access various criminal records through several online portals maintained by different government agencies. Each system contains specific types of information and has unique search capabilities.

The Utah Courts XChange system serves as the primary online portal for accessing court case information. This subscription-based service allows users to search for:

Criminal case filings
Case status and scheduled hearings
Judgment and sentencing information
Party information
Case documents (some may require in-person viewing)

Registration for XChange requires creating an account and paying applicable fees. Basic searches cost $5 per name, with additional charges for document views and downloads.

The Salt Lake County Sheriff's Office maintains an online inmate lookup system that provides:

Current jail population information
Booking photos
Charges
Bail amounts
Scheduled release dates (when available)
Court information

This system is updated regularly and is free to access without registration.

For historical criminal case information, the Utah State Archives provides an index to District Court criminal cases from Salt Lake County. This resource is particularly valuable for researching older cases that may not appear in current electronic systems.

The Salt Lake County District Attorney's Office provides information on how to track cases currently being prosecuted. Their website offers guidance on accessing case information and understanding the prosecution process.

For statewide criminal history information, the Utah Bureau of Criminal Identification offers an online portal for requesting criminal history reports. This service requires:

The subject's consent (for non-criminal justice purposes)
Payment of required fees
Proper identification
Fingerprint submission in some cases

Users should note that online systems may not contain complete criminal history information. Some records, particularly older cases or those with special privacy protections, may only be available through in-person requests at the appropriate agency.

Can You Search Salt Lake County Criminal Records for Free?

Salt Lake County residents and members of the public have several options for accessing criminal records without payment, though free access is limited in scope compared to fee-based services. Utah law, specifically Utah Code § 63G-2-201(1), establishes that "every person has the right to inspect a public record free of charge," though agencies may charge reasonable fees for searching, retrieving, and copying records.

Free inspection of criminal records is available at the following locations:

Third District Court
450 South State Street
Salt Lake City, UT 84114
Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Phone: (801) 238-7300

Salt Lake County Justice Court
2001 South State Street, S4200
Salt Lake City, UT 84190
Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Phone: (385) 468-8600

Salt Lake City Justice Court
333 South 200 East
Salt Lake City, UT 84111
Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Phone: (801) 535-6300

Several online resources provide free access to limited criminal record information:

The Salt Lake County Sheriff's Office Jail Information System offers free access to current inmate information, including booking details and charges.
The Salt Lake City Justice Court provides free case information lookup for cases within their jurisdiction.
The Utah State Courts Public Case Search offers limited free searches for basic case information, though detailed information requires subscription.
The Utah Department of Public Safety provides free access to the sex offender registry and certain statistical crime data.
The Utah State Archives maintains free indexes to historical court cases.

While these free resources provide valuable information, they have limitations:

Records may not be comprehensive or include all available information
Historical records may not be digitized or easily searchable
Some systems only provide basic case information without detailed documents
In-person inspection may require waiting periods or appointments
Staff assistance for complex searches may be limited

For comprehensive criminal background checks or certified copies of records, fees typically apply. These fees support the maintenance of record systems and staff time required for processing requests.

What's Included in a Salt Lake County Criminal Record?

Criminal records maintained by Salt Lake County agencies typically contain comprehensive information about an individual's interactions with the criminal justice system. The content of these records varies depending on the maintaining agency and the nature of the case.

Identifying Information:

Full legal name and known aliases
Date of birth
Physical description (height, weight, eye color, hair color)
Booking photograph ("mugshot")
Last known address
State Identification Number (SID)
FBI number (if applicable)
Fingerprint classification

Arrest Information:

Date and time of arrest
Arresting agency and officer
Booking number
Initial charges filed
Bail or bond amount
Detention facility location
Arrest circumstances summary
Property seized during arrest

Court Case Information:

Case number and filing date
Court of jurisdiction
Judge assigned
Formal charges filed by prosecutor
Statute citations and offense classifications (felony/misdemeanor)
Plea entered
Defense attorney information
Prosecutor information
Hearing dates and outcomes
Motion filings and rulings

Disposition Information:

Final verdict or plea
Conviction date (if applicable)
Sentencing details:
- Incarceration terms
- Probation conditions
- Fines and restitution ordered
- Community service requirements
- Treatment programs ordered
Appeal information (if applicable)
Probation/parole status and violations
Completion of sentence documentation

Additional Information:

Active warrants
Protective orders
Sex offender registration requirements
DUI/DWI history
Traffic violations connected to criminal cases
Pending charges in other jurisdictions
Prior criminal history references

The Utah Bureau of Criminal Identification maintains the official criminal history repository for the state, including Salt Lake County records. Their records contain arrest and disposition information reported by law enforcement agencies and courts throughout Utah.

Court records maintained by the Third District Court contain the most detailed information about case proceedings, including filed documents, hearing transcripts, and judicial orders.

The Salt Lake County Sheriff's Office maintains booking and incarceration records, including information about individuals currently or previously held in county detention facilities.

How Long Does Salt Lake County Keep Criminal Records?

Salt Lake County criminal records are subject to retention schedules established under Utah's Government Records Access and Management Act (GRAMA) and the Utah State Archives retention schedules. These schedules vary by record type and maintaining agency.

Court records for criminal cases in Salt Lake County are typically retained according to the following schedule:

Felony case files: Permanently maintained by the Third District Court
Class A misdemeanor case files: Retained for 10 years after case closure
Class B and C misdemeanor case files: Retained for 6 years after case closure
Infractions: Retained for 3 years after case closure
Expunged records: Physically destroyed or sealed from public access pursuant to court order under Utah Code § 77-40-102

Law enforcement records maintained by the Salt Lake County Sheriff's Office and local police departments follow these general retention periods:

Arrest records: 10 years from date of arrest
Investigation reports for felonies: 10 years from case closure
Investigation reports for misdemeanors: 5 years from case closure
Booking photographs: 10 years from booking date
Fingerprint cards: Permanently maintained
Jail records: 10 years from release date

The Utah Bureau of Criminal Identification maintains criminal history information according to the following schedule:

Criminal history records: Permanently maintained unless expunged by court order
Sex offender registry information: Maintained according to registration requirements, which vary by offense (10 years to lifetime)
Concealed firearm permit denials: 5 years from denial date

Digital court records in the Utah XChange system are currently maintained indefinitely, though access to older cases may require special requests.

Records that have met their retention period may be transferred to the Utah State Archives for historical preservation or properly destroyed according to established procedures. The destruction of records follows strict protocols to ensure confidentiality.

It is important to note that expungement orders do not necessarily result in the complete destruction of all records. Some non-public records may be maintained by law enforcement agencies for limited purposes as authorized by Utah Code § 77-40-109.