NCJ Number
76513
Date Published
1977
Length
87 pages
Annotation
Activities of Utah's Court Administrator's Office and the various courts throughout the State from July 1, 1976 through June 30, 1977 are described; extensive statistics are provided.
Abstract
The report period was a year of significant accomplishment by the Judicial Council and the Court Administrator Office. Adoption of the concept of the circuit court system by the Judicial Council and the approved legislation reducing the concept to law by the 1977 session is the most significant change in court structure in Utah since statehood. Also during the year, judicial salaries and the amount of witness compensation were increased, and a comprehensive program of judicial education was continued. The Utah supreme court disposed of 274 cases, 181 by opinion and 93 by dismissal. With regard to district court activity, 30,308 cases were filed, 26,121 cases were closed, and the disposition rate was 86 percent statewide. The 17 city courts closed 397,131 cases during the report period. Furthermore, jurisdiction of the 179 Justice of the Peace Courts is restricted to the precinct or city limits in civil cases and to the county boundaries in criminal cases. In civil cases, the claim at issue may not exceed $300; in criminal matters, jurisdiction is limited to misdemeanors punsihable by imprisonment not exceeding 6 months and/or a fine of $300. The total caseload for these courts was 90,512. Photographs and extensive tabular data are provided. Legislative bills considered by the Judicial council are outlined.