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Salt Lake Arrest Records

Are Arrest Records Public in Salt Lake, Utah?

Arrest records are public in Salt Lake, Utah, pursuant to the Utah Government Records Access and Management Act (GRAMA), Utah Code § 63G-2-101 et seq. This comprehensive legislation establishes that arrest records, as government documents, must be accessible to members of the public. The statute serves to promote governmental transparency and accountability within Utah's judicial and law enforcement systems. Citizens may access these records to remain informed about law enforcement activities, monitor the criminal justice system, and verify information about individuals who have been arrested within Salt Lake jurisdiction.

The public nature of these records is consistent with Utah's commitment to open government, though certain exceptions may apply in cases involving ongoing investigations, juvenile records, or where disclosure would constitute an unwarranted invasion of personal privacy under Utah Code § 63G-2-302. Law enforcement agencies maintain these records in accordance with state retention schedules established by the Utah Division of Archives and Records Service.

How to Look Up Salt Lake Arrest Records in 2025

Members of the public seeking Salt Lake arrest records may utilize several official channels to obtain this information. The Salt Lake City Police Department and Salt Lake County Sheriff's Office maintain systems for public access to arrest documentation through the following methods:

Online Public Access Services: The Salt Lake City Police Department provides digital access to arrest records through their GRAMA request portal. Users may search by name, date of arrest, or case number. The Salt Lake County Sheriff's Office also maintains an online database of current jail rosters and recent arrests.
In-Person Requests: Citizens may visit the Records Division of the Salt Lake City Police Department located at 475 South 300 East, Salt Lake City, UT 84111. Public counter hours are Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM. Similarly, the Salt Lake County Sheriff's Office Records Bureau at 3365 South 900 West, South Salt Lake, UT 84119 accepts in-person requests during business hours.
Mail Requests: Written GRAMA requests may be submitted to either agency's records division at the addresses listed above. Requests must include the requestor's contact information, specific information sought, and applicable fees as outlined in Utah Code § 63G-2-203.
Judicial System Records: The Utah State Courts maintain the Xchange database system, which contains court records related to arrests and subsequent proceedings. Access is available at public terminals at the Matheson Courthouse, 450 South State Street, Salt Lake City, UT 84111.

Pursuant to Utah Code § 63G-2-204, agencies must respond to records requests within 10 business days, or 5 business days if the requestor demonstrates an urgent need. Fees for record retrieval and copying are established by each agency in accordance with GRAMA provisions.

Contents of a Salt Lake Arrest Record

Salt Lake arrest records contain standardized information as mandated by Utah Code § 77-7-20 and departmental policies. These official documents typically include the following elements:

Full legal name and any known aliases of the arrested individual
Date, time, and specific location of the arrest
Detailed enumeration of criminal charges, including applicable Utah Code sections
Arresting agency and officer identification information
Booking photographs (mugshots) taken during processing
Fingerprint records collected at the time of booking
Demographic information including date of birth, gender, race, height, weight, and distinguishing physical characteristics
Last known address and contact information
Arrest circumstance narrative prepared by the arresting officer
Booking number and facility information
Bail or bond information, if applicable
Case disposition status

The Salt Lake County Sheriff's Office Corrections Bureau maintains comprehensive booking records that include this information. These records serve as official documentation of law enforcement actions and form the basis for subsequent judicial proceedings. Under Utah Code § 63G-2-201, certain sensitive information may be redacted from public copies, including Social Security numbers, medical information, and information that would compromise ongoing investigations.

Expungement of Arrest Records in Salt Lake

The expungement process in Salt Lake County provides a legal mechanism for eligible individuals to have arrest records sealed from public access. This procedure is governed by Utah Code § 77-40-101 et seq., the Utah Expungement Act. Individuals seeking expungement must apply through the Utah Bureau of Criminal Identification (BCI) located at 3888 West 5400 South, Taylorsville, UT 84129, telephone (801) 965-4445.

Eligibility criteria for expungement include:

Completion of waiting periods specified in Utah Code § 77-40-105, ranging from 1 to 10 years depending on offense severity
No pending criminal proceedings
Payment of all fines, fees, restitution, and interest
No convictions for other crimes during the applicable waiting period
Satisfaction of case-specific requirements based on disposition (dismissal, acquittal, or conviction)

The legal process requires applicants to:

Obtain a Certificate of Eligibility from the Utah Bureau of Criminal Identification
File a Petition for Expungement with the appropriate court, typically the Salt Lake City Justice Court for misdemeanors or the Third District Court for felonies
Serve the petition on prosecuting agencies
Attend any scheduled court hearings
Obtain a signed Expungement Order from the judge

Upon successful expungement, government agencies must seal the records and may not disclose their existence except under limited circumstances specified in Utah Code § 77-40-109. The Utah State Courts provide standardized forms and procedural guidance for individuals seeking expungement of Salt Lake arrest records.

Legal Restrictions on Arrest Record Access

While arrest records are generally public in Salt Lake, several important legal restrictions limit access to certain information. These limitations are established by both state statute and case law to balance transparency with privacy and due process concerns.

Utah Code § 63G-2-305 designates specific categories of records as protected, including:

Records that would interfere with ongoing investigations or prosecutions
Records that would jeopardize the life or safety of an individual
Records that would deprive a person of the right to a fair trial
Records containing information about confidential informants

Additionally, juvenile arrest records receive special protection under Utah Code § 78A-6-209, with limited access permitted only to authorized agencies and individuals. The Salt Lake County District Attorney's Office maintains guidelines on access restrictions for cases under prosecution.

Law enforcement agencies may temporarily restrict access to arrest records during active investigations pursuant to Utah Code § 63G-2-305(10). The Salt Lake City Police Department evaluates each records request to ensure compliance with these statutory exemptions.

Commercial use of arrest record information is subject to additional restrictions under Utah Code § 63G-2-206, which prohibits using public records for marketing or solicitation purposes. Violations may result in penalties as specified in Utah Code § 63G-2-801.

Using Salt Lake Arrest Records for Background Checks

Employers, landlords, and other entities in Salt Lake County frequently utilize arrest records as part of background screening processes. This practice is subject to specific legal parameters established by both state and federal law.

The Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA), 15 U.S.C. § 1681 et seq., governs the use of arrest records obtained through consumer reporting agencies. Under these provisions, employers and landlords must:

Provide written notice before obtaining records
Obtain written consent from the individual
Provide pre-adverse action notification if a negative decision may result
Allow opportunity to dispute inaccurate information
Provide final adverse action notice if a negative decision is made

Utah state law provides additional protections through the Employment Selection Procedures Act, Utah Code § 34-46-101 et seq., which restricts when employers may consider arrest records. Generally, employers may not consider arrests that did not result in convictions unless:

Charges are pending
The arrest occurred within the previous year
The nature of the alleged offense is directly related to the position sought

The Utah Antidiscrimination and Labor Division at 160 East 300 South, 3rd Floor, Salt Lake City, UT 84111, telephone (801) 530-6801, provides guidance on compliant use of arrest records in employment decisions.

Background check companies operating in Salt Lake must register with the Utah Department of Commerce and comply with both state and federal regulations when accessing and reporting arrest record information.