Emery County Criminal Records and Felony Cases
Emery County felony records are maintained by the 7th District Court and county offices in Castle Dale, Utah. Anyone can search Emery County felony cases through the Utah Courts XChange system or by submitting a GRAMA request to the county. Emery County is a rural county in central Utah, and its felony records date back many years. This guide explains how to access Emery County criminal records, what those records contain, and what rights you have under Utah law when requesting them.
Emery County Quick Facts
7th District Court and Emery County Felony Records
The 7th Judicial District Court handles all felony cases for Emery County. The court operates from Castle Dale, the county seat in central Utah. All felony charges, plea agreements, sentencing orders, and conviction records from Emery County are filed and kept here. The 7th District also serves Carbon, Duchesne, Grand, San Juan, and Uintah counties across eastern Utah.
The fastest way to search Emery County felony records is through Utah Courts XChange. Guest access is $5 per session with an additional $0.20 per search. A monthly subscription costs $40 for unlimited use. Free public access terminals are available at the Emery County courthouse during normal business hours. Court clerks can search by party name or case number at the counter for those who prefer to visit in person.
Emery County felony records in the court system include all documents filed from arraignment through sentencing. They are public records under Utah law and available to anyone who requests them. Under Utah Code § 63G-2-201, you may inspect these records at no charge during business hours.
Searching Emery County Felony Cases Online
The Utah Courts website at utcourts.gov/xchange is the primary online tool for searching Emery County felony records. You can look up cases by name, case number, or other identifiers to find Emery County criminal history.
The XChange system covers all Utah district courts, including Emery County. Results show case status, charge details, and hearing dates for felony cases filed in the county.
Note: When using XChange to find Emery County felony records, filter by county to make sure you are viewing cases from Emery and not another 7th District county.
Emery County Sheriff Arrest Records
The Emery County Sheriff's Office is the primary law enforcement agency for the county. The Sheriff maintains arrest records, booking information, and incident reports for felony activity in Emery County. These records are separate from court conviction records and provide information about who was arrested and booked on felony charges.
To request arrest records from the Emery County Sheriff, submit a GRAMA request to the Sheriff's Office. Include a clear description of the records you want, along with your name and contact information. The Sheriff must respond within 10 business days. Copies are subject to GRAMA fees. The county jail in Emery County houses inmates charged with or convicted of felonies pending court proceedings or serving short terms.
Felony arrest records from the Emery County Sheriff are not the same as conviction records. An arrest does not mean a conviction. Always check both the Sheriff's records and the 7th District Court records to get a complete picture of any Emery County felony case.
GRAMA Records Requests in Emery County
Utah's GRAMA law applies to all Emery County government records, including felony case files and arrest records. GRAMA gives every person the right to inspect or copy public records held by Emery County agencies. You do not need to give a reason for your request. Under Utah Code § 63G-2-201, public records are open to inspection free of charge during normal business hours.
The Emery County Clerk/Auditor processes GRAMA requests for most county records. When making a request, describe the records with as much detail as you can. Include names, dates, case numbers, or any other identifying details. The county has 10 business days to respond. If they need more time, they must notify you in writing. The first 30 minutes of staff time is free. After that, the county may charge $25 per hour. Copies cost $0.50 per page. If your request is denied, you may appeal to the Utah State Records Committee.
For broader statewide criminal history on any individual, contact the Utah Bureau of Criminal Identification at (801) 965-4445. BCI provides name-based checks for $15 and fingerprint checks for $33.25. These reports include felony records from all Utah counties, not just Emery County.
Note: GRAMA requests to different Emery County offices must be submitted separately. The Sheriff's Office, Clerk, and Court Clerk are each their own custodian of records.
Open Records and Public Access in Emery County
Utah's open records laws guarantee public access to Emery County felony records. The state's official open records portal at openrecords.utah.gov provides guidance on how to submit records requests to any Utah agency, including Emery County offices.
This state resource outlines your rights under GRAMA and provides tools for submitting open records requests to Emery County and other Utah government agencies that hold criminal history and felony records.
What Emery County Felony Records Contain
Emery County felony records from the 7th District Court include a full case history from the first filing through final disposition. The case file typically contains the information or indictment, bail orders, preliminary hearing records, any suppression motions, plea or trial documents, the judgment of conviction, and the sentencing order. Probation conditions and restitution orders are also included when ordered by the court.
Felony conviction records in Emery County are permanent. They do not disappear over time unless a court grants an expungement. When you request a record, you receive the documents as filed with the court. Some items in a case file may be sealed if the court ordered it, but the existence of the case and its basic details are public. The Utah corrections department at corrections.utah.gov tracks current and former inmates serving sentences from Emery County felony convictions.
Utah Felony Classes in Emery County Cases
Emery County courts apply Utah's felony classification system to every criminal case. The class of the felony determines the range of punishment the judge may impose. All felony sentences in Utah are served in state prison, not a county jail, under Utah Code § 76-3-201.
Capital felonies are the most serious and can result in death or life in prison without parole. First degree felonies carry five years to life in prison plus fines up to $10,000. Second degree felonies are punishable by one to fifteen years in prison and the same fine cap. Third degree felonies can result in up to five years in prison and fines up to $5,000. Courts have discretion to impose probation or suspended sentences in appropriate cases, especially for third degree felonies. The full list of felony offenses and their classes is found in Utah Code Title 76.
Emery County felony records will always state the degree of felony for each charge. This tells you the seriousness of the offense at the time of conviction. If charges were reduced through a plea, the record shows the amended charge, not the original one.
Note: Emery County sits in a remote area of central Utah, and many felony cases there involve property crimes, drug offenses, or offenses tied to the agricultural and mining sectors of the local economy.
Expungement of Emery County Felony Records
Utah law provides a path to expunge some Emery County felony records. Expungement seals a conviction from public view. The process starts with the Utah Bureau of Criminal Identification, which issues a Certificate of Eligibility if you qualify. You then file a petition for expungement with the 7th District Court in Emery County.
Capital and first degree felony convictions cannot be expunged under Utah law. Violent crimes and sex offenses are also generally excluded. For eligible offenses, you must wait a set number of years after completing your sentence before you can apply. Visit bci.utah.gov/expungements to review eligibility requirements and start the Certificate of Eligibility application. You can call the BCI at (801) 965-4445 with questions about Emery County felony record expungement.
Emery County Courthouse and Communities
Emery County's county seat is Castle Dale, where the main county offices and courthouse are located. All Emery County felony cases are filed at the 7th District Court in Castle Dale. Other communities in Emery County include Ferron, Huntington, Cleveland, and Green River. Each of these communities is served by the same Emery County court system, and all felony records for the county are centralized in Castle Dale.
The Emery County Clerk/Auditor in Castle Dale handles GRAMA requests and county administrative records. For court records specifically, contact the 7th District Court clerk or use the XChange system online.
Nearby Counties
Emery County shares borders with four other Utah counties. Each county has its own court system and maintains separate felony records. If a crime crossed county lines, records may exist in more than one county.