Utah Arrest Records

Is Utah an Open Arrest Records State?

Utah is classified as an open arrest records state pursuant to the Government Records Access and Management Act (GRAMA), Utah Code § 63G-2-101 et seq. This designation signifies that arrest records maintained by government agencies are generally accessible to members of the public. The Utah Legislature has determined that transparency in governmental operations, including law enforcement activities, serves the public interest by promoting accountability and informed citizenship.

The Utah Division of Archives and Records Service maintains that public records accessibility is fundamental to governmental transparency. Arrest records, as public documents, provide citizens with information regarding individuals who have been taken into custody by law enforcement agencies. These records serve multiple public interests, including:

Enhancing community awareness of law enforcement activities
Facilitating public oversight of the criminal justice system
Enabling background checks for employment and housing purposes
Supporting journalistic reporting on matters of public concern

While Utah maintains an open records policy, certain limitations exist to protect privacy interests and ongoing investigations. Pursuant to Utah Code § 63G-2-305, specific information within arrest records may be classified as protected or private if disclosure would:

Interfere with an ongoing investigation
Reveal the identity of confidential sources
Endanger an individual's safety
Compromise intelligence information

The Utah Department of Public Safety oversees the implementation of policies regarding the dissemination of arrest information, balancing the public's right to access with privacy and security considerations.

How to Look Up Utah Arrest Records in 2025

Members of the public seeking arrest records in Utah may utilize several official channels to obtain this information. The state has established multiple access points to accommodate various needs and preferences. The following methods are available for conducting arrest record searches:

Online Resources

The Utah Bureau of Criminal Identification (BCI) maintains the state's central repository of criminal history information. Individuals may request criminal history records through the BCI's online portal. For a fee of $15.00, requestors can obtain arrest records that include booking information, charges, and disposition data.

The Utah State Courts provide access to court records through their XChange system, which contains information on criminal cases including arrest details. Subscription fees apply for regular users, while one-time searches can be conducted for $5.00 per name.

The Utah Statewide Warrants Search allows users to verify if an individual has outstanding warrants, which often includes information about previous arrests.

In-Person Requests

Records may be obtained directly from the arresting agency. Major agencies include:

Utah Department of Public Safety - Bureau of Criminal Identification
3888 West 5400 South
Taylorsville, UT 84129
(801) 965-4445
Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM

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

Utah County Sheriff's Office
3075 North Main Street
Spanish Fork, UT 84660
(801) 851-4000
Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM

Written Requests

Pursuant to GRAMA requirements, individuals may submit written requests to the records custodian of any law enforcement agency. Requests must include:

Requestor's name and contact information
A description of the records sought, including names and dates if available
A statement indicating whether the requestor is entitled to expedited response
Signature of the requestor

Agencies must respond to GRAMA requests within 10 business days, or 5 business days if the requestor demonstrates an urgent need for expedited processing.

Contents of a Utah Arrest Record

Utah arrest records contain standardized information as prescribed by the Utah Commission on Criminal and Juvenile Justice and the Department of Public Safety. A comprehensive arrest record typically includes the following components:

Biographical Information

Full legal name of the arrested individual
Date of birth and age at time of arrest
Physical description (height, weight, eye color, hair color)
Identifying marks such as tattoos or scars
Residential address
Booking photograph ("mugshot")

Arrest Details

Date and time of arrest
Location where the arrest occurred
Arresting agency and officer identification
Booking number and facility
Method of arrest (warrant, probable cause, etc.)
Use of force indicators, if applicable

Criminal Charges

Statute citations for alleged violations
Classification of offenses (felony or misdemeanor)
Degree of charges (1st degree, 2nd degree, etc.)
Brief description of alleged criminal activity
Weapon involvement, if applicable

Case Processing Information

Court case number
Assigned judge
Bail or bond amount
Pre-trial release conditions
Court appearance dates
Case disposition (if resolved)

Additional Elements

Prior booking history
Known aliases
Gang affiliation, if documented
Probation/parole status
Protective orders or restraining orders

The Utah Code of Criminal Procedure establishes requirements for documentation of arrests, ensuring consistency across jurisdictions within the state.

Understanding the Utah Open Records Act

The Government Records Access and Management Act (GRAMA), codified in Utah Code § 63G-2-101 et seq., establishes the framework for public access to government records in Utah. This comprehensive legislation, enacted in 1991 and subsequently amended, governs how arrest records and other government documents are classified, maintained, and disclosed.

GRAMA operates under the presumption that government records are public unless specifically classified otherwise. The act categorizes records into four classifications:

Public records - Available to anyone upon request
Private records - Available only to the subject of the record or authorized representatives
Protected records - Available only under specific circumstances to protect governmental interests
Controlled records - Medical, psychiatric, or psychological data requiring special handling

Arrest records generally fall under the public classification, though certain elements may be redacted if they contain private or protected information. The Utah Legislature has determined that the public interest in transparent law enforcement operations outweighs privacy concerns in most circumstances involving arrests.

GRAMA establishes procedural requirements for records requests, including:

Time frames for agency responses (10 business days for standard requests)
Fee structures for record reproduction and staff time
Appeal processes for denied requests
Penalties for agencies that willfully violate the act

The act also created the State Records Committee, which adjudicates disputes between requestors and agencies regarding record access. This administrative body provides an alternative to judicial review for contested records decisions.

Expungement of Arrest Records in Utah

The Utah expungement process provides a legal mechanism for eligible individuals to have arrest records removed from public access. Pursuant to Utah Code § 77-40-101 et seq., expungement effectively seals records from public view, though certain government entities may retain limited access for specific purposes.

Eligibility Requirements

Not all arrests qualify for expungement. The Utah Self-Help Center for Criminal Justice outlines the following general eligibility criteria:

For arrests without charges: Individuals may petition for expungement after 180 days if no charges were filed
For dismissed charges: Eligible for expungement upon dismissal with prejudice
For acquittals: Eligible immediately following a not guilty verdict
For convictions: Waiting periods vary by offense severity:
- Class C misdemeanors: 3 years after sentence completion
- Class B misdemeanors: 4 years after sentence completion
- Class A misdemeanors: 5 years after sentence completion
- Felonies (3rd degree): 7 years after sentence completion
- Felonies (2nd degree): 10 years after sentence completion

Certain offenses are categorically ineligible for expungement, including:

Registrable sex offenses
Vehicular homicide
Felony DUI offenses
Violent felonies as defined in Utah Code § 76-3-203.5

Application Process

The expungement procedure involves multiple steps:

Obtain a Certificate of Eligibility from the Bureau of Criminal Identification
File a Petition for Expungement with the appropriate district court
Serve the petition on the prosecuting agency
Attend a hearing if required by the court
Obtain an Expungement Order signed by a judge
Distribute the order to all agencies holding records

The Utah Office for Victims of Crime notes that victims have the right to be notified of expungement proceedings and may provide input to the court regarding the petition.

Legal Effect of Expungement

When an expungement order is granted, the individual may legally deny the occurrence of the arrest or conviction in most circumstances. Exceptions exist for certain professional licensing applications and law enforcement hiring processes.

Expunged records remain accessible to:

Law enforcement agencies for subsequent investigations
Prosecuting offices for charging decisions
Courts for sentencing purposes
Licensing boards for specific professions (healthcare, education, etc.)

How to Find Local Arrests in Utah?

Members of the public seeking information about recent local arrests in Utah may utilize various resources maintained by state and local agencies. These resources provide timely information about law enforcement activities within specific jurisdictions.

County Sheriff Booking Logs

Each county sheriff's office maintains booking logs that document recent arrests. The Utah County Sheriff's Office Inmate Search provides a representative example of these systems. Similar resources exist for other counties:

Salt Lake County Sheriff's Office
3415 South Main Street
Salt Lake City, UT 84115
(385) 468-8300
Hours: 24 hours daily

Davis County Sheriff's Office
800 West State Street
Farmington, UT 84025
(801) 451-4100
Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM

Weber County Sheriff's Office
721 West 12th Street
Ogden, UT 84404
(801) 778-6600
Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM

Municipal Police Department Records

City police departments maintain arrest logs that are typically available through records requests. Major departments include:

Salt Lake City Police Department Records Division
475 South 300 East
Salt Lake City, UT 84111
(801) 799-3000
Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM

West Valley City Police Department
3600 South Constitution Boulevard
West Valley City, UT 84119
(801) 840-4000
Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM

Court Calendars and Dockets

The Utah State Courts maintain public calendars that list upcoming court appearances, including initial appearances following arrests. These calendars are searchable by defendant name, case number, or hearing date.

Public Safety Alerts and Notifications

Many Utah law enforcement agencies utilize public notification systems that include information about significant arrests. These notifications may be accessed through agency websites or social media platforms.

Search Arrest Records in Utah

Counties

Beaver Box Elder Cache Carbon Davis Garfield Iron Kane Morgan Salt Lake Sanpete Tooele Uintah Utah Washington Weber