Garfield County Felony Records Search
Garfield County felony records are public documents held by the 6th District Court and the Garfield County Clerk/Auditor in Panguitch, Utah. Anyone can access Garfield County felony cases through the Utah Courts XChange system or by visiting the courthouse in person. Garfield County is a large, rural southern Utah county that includes parts of Bryce Canyon National Park. This page explains how to find Garfield County felony records, what they contain, and your rights under Utah law.
Garfield County Quick Facts
6th District Court and Garfield County Felony Cases
The 6th Judicial District Court in Panguitch handles all felony cases for Garfield County. This court is located at 55 South Main Street in Panguitch and can be reached at 435-676-1120. The 6th District also serves Kane, Piute, Sanpete, Sevier, and Wayne counties. All Garfield County felony conviction records, sentencing orders, and case files are maintained by the court clerk in Panguitch.
The court handles all felony classes, from third degree property crimes to capital cases. Felony charges are filed by the Garfield County Attorney. Court hours are Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM. Staff can search records by name or case number. You may also use the Utah Courts XChange system to look up Garfield County felony records from any computer. Guest access costs $5 per session plus $0.20 per search. A monthly subscription is $40 and allows unlimited searches. Free terminals are available at the Panguitch courthouse during business hours.
Garfield County felony records in the court system are public and open to inspection at no charge. Under Utah Code § 63G-2-201, every person has the right to inspect public records held by state and county agencies.
Note: The 6th District serves multiple counties. When using XChange, filter by Garfield County to avoid pulling records from other counties in the same district.
Utah State Law and Garfield County Felony Records
Utah's public records law governs all Garfield County felony records. The relevant statute is available at le.utah.gov, which provides the full text of the Government Records Access and Management Act that applies to Garfield County record requests.
This law outlines what records are public, how to request them from Garfield County offices, how long agencies have to respond, and how to appeal a denial.
Garfield County Sheriff and Arrest Records
The Garfield County Sheriff's Office at 55 South Main Street in Panguitch maintains arrest records, booking records, and incident reports for the county. The Sheriff's phone is 435-676-1120. Arrest records show who was taken into custody on felony charges in Garfield County, but they are separate from court conviction records and do not show the final case outcome.
Under Utah law, booking photos may not be released before a conviction in most cases. Utah HB 228 restricts the early release of booking photos to protect defendants who may not ultimately be convicted. This means some arrest records from the Garfield County Sheriff will not include a photo until after a guilty verdict or plea. Booking records for recent arrests are typically available within a few days of the arrest date.
To request arrest records from the Garfield County Sheriff, submit a GRAMA request to the Sheriff's Office directly. Describe the records with reasonable specificity, including names and dates where possible. The Sheriff must respond within 10 business days. Incident reports and booking information are among the most commonly requested Garfield County felony records from the Sheriff's Office.
GRAMA Requests for Garfield County Felony Records
GRAMA applies to all government records held by Garfield County. You can request Garfield County felony records from the Clerk/Auditor, the Sheriff's Office, or the court clerk. Each office is a separate custodian of records. Submit your request in writing to the right office for the records you need.
The Garfield County Clerk/Auditor at 55 South Main Street in Panguitch handles GRAMA requests for county administrative records. Phone: 435-676-1163. The clerk maintains county commission minutes, official records, and some historical records dating to the late 1800s. GRAMA requires agencies to respond within 10 business days. The first 30 minutes of staff time is free. After that, charges of $25 per hour may apply. Copies cost $0.50 per page. You may inspect records for free during business hours without paying copy fees.
If the Garfield County office denies your records request, you can appeal to the Utah State Records Committee. The Records Committee reviews denied requests and can order an agency to release records. For statewide criminal history, contact the Utah Bureau of Criminal Identification at (801) 965-4445 for name checks ($15) or fingerprint checks ($33.25).
Note: GRAMA requests for Garfield County felony records filed with the court must go to the 6th District Court clerk, not the County Clerk/Auditor. These are two separate offices.
Garfield County Felony Prosecution
Garfield County felony cases are prosecuted by the county attorney. In some cases, the Utah Attorney General's office may assist with complex felony matters. The Attorney General's office at attorneygeneral.utah.gov handles statewide criminal matters that may intersect with Garfield County felony records.
The Attorney General's office may be involved in serious felony matters where statewide resources are needed. Prosecution records and charging documents become part of the public court file once a case is filed in the 6th District Court in Panguitch.
What Garfield County Conviction Records Include
Garfield County felony records from the 6th District Court include the complete case history from arraignment to final disposition. A typical felony file includes the charging document, bond or bail orders, hearing records, any motions filed by either side, the plea agreement or trial transcript, the judgment of conviction, and the sentencing order.
Conviction records in Garfield County are permanent public records. They can be viewed by anyone. Sealed records are an exception and require a court order. Once you obtain a court record from Garfield County, you will see the charge, its felony class, the plea or verdict, and the sentence the judge imposed. Restitution orders and probation terms are included when applicable. The Utah Department of Corrections tracks offenders serving sentences from Garfield County felony convictions at state facilities.
Utah Felony Classifications Applied in Garfield County
Garfield County courts apply Utah's felony classification system to every case. The degree of felony determines the punishment range. Under Utah Code § 76-3-201, all felony sentences in Utah are served in state prison.
Capital felonies carry death or life without parole. First degree felonies are punishable by five years to life in prison and fines up to $10,000. Second degree felonies carry one to fifteen years in prison and the same fine maximum. Third degree felonies allow up to five years in prison and fines up to $5,000. Judges may impose suspended sentences with probation in appropriate cases. The Utah Criminal Code at Title 76 lists every felony offense and its classification.
Garfield County has a small population. Felony cases in this county often involve serious drug offenses, theft, or crimes that occur near the county's national park and highway areas. Felony records for all such cases are filed with the 6th District Court in Panguitch and are available to the public.
Note: Warrant information for Garfield County can be checked through the state warrant search at secure.utah.gov/warrants.
Expungement Options for Garfield County Felony Records
Some Garfield County felony convictions may be eligible for expungement under Utah law. Expungement seals the conviction from public view. First degree and capital felony convictions are not eligible. Certain violent offenses and sex crimes are also excluded. For other felony classes, you must wait a set number of years after completing your sentence before applying.
The process begins with the Utah Bureau of Criminal Identification. Apply for a Certificate of Eligibility at bci.utah.gov/expungements. The BCI reviews your full criminal history against eligibility rules. If approved, you receive a certificate that you then file with the 6th District Court in Panguitch along with a petition for expungement. The court schedules a hearing and issues an order if the petition is granted. All Garfield County agencies holding your felony records must then seal them. Call the BCI at (801) 965-4445 for questions about Garfield County expungements.
Garfield County Courthouse and Communities
The Garfield County courthouse is located at 55 South Main Street in Panguitch, the county seat. The 6th District Court and the Garfield County Clerk/Auditor both operate from this address. All Garfield County felony records and court filings are maintained here.
Garfield County is a large but sparsely populated county. Communities include Panguitch, Escalante, Boulder, Hatch, and Tropic. The county is best known for Bryce Canyon National Park and its scenic canyon lands. All felony cases from anywhere in Garfield County are processed through the courthouse in Panguitch. For court records access, use XChange online or visit the court clerk in person during business hours.
Nearby Counties
Garfield County borders four other Utah counties. Each county maintains its own court system and felony records. If a crime occurred near a county line, check both counties to be sure you have the right records.