Salt Lake County Felony Records
Salt Lake County felony records are maintained by the 3rd Judicial District Court and the Salt Lake County Sheriff's Office. Salt Lake County is the most populous county in Utah, with over 1.2 million residents across cities including Salt Lake City, West Valley City, West Jordan, Sandy, and more than a dozen other communities. Searching Salt Lake County felony records online or in person gives you access to conviction histories, arrest records, and full case files from the Third District Court, located at 450 South State Street in Salt Lake City.
Salt Lake County Quick Facts
How to Access Salt Lake County Felony Records
Salt Lake County felony records are available through several channels. The fastest online method is the Utah Courts XChange portal. Guest access costs $5 per session plus $0.20 per search. A monthly subscription is $40 for frequent users. XChange gives you case numbers, charges, hearing dates, dispositions, and sentencing information for Third District Court felony cases in Salt Lake County.
Free public terminals are available at the Third District Courthouse at 450 South State Street, Salt Lake City, UT 84114. Court staff are available Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM at (801) 238-7330. In-person visits let you review full case files and request certified copies of documents. Bring a government-issued photo ID when visiting the courthouse to request Salt Lake County felony records.
The Salt Lake County website at saltlakecounty.gov also provides access to Records Management services. Salt Lake County Records Management follows GRAMA rules for responding to public record requests. Staff time is charged after the first 15 minutes at $25 per hour. Certified copies cost $10 per document. Paper copies run $0.50 per page. Responses are required within 10 business days.
Note: The 3rd Judicial District covers Salt Lake, Summit, and Tooele counties. Be sure you are searching the right county when looking for a specific Salt Lake County felony case.
Salt Lake County Government and Records
The Salt Lake County government oversees multiple departments that handle felony records and related public documents.
The Salt Lake County website is the central hub for accessing sheriff services, records management, the district attorney, and other offices relevant to Salt Lake County felony records searches.
Salt Lake County Sheriff Arrest Records
The Salt Lake County Sheriff's Office operates the Metro Jail at 3365 South 900 West, Salt Lake City, UT 84119. The Sheriff's phone number is (385) 468-9300. Office hours are Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM, excluding holidays. The Sheriff's Office maintains arrest records, incident reports, and booking information for people taken into custody in Salt Lake County on felony charges.
To request Salt Lake County arrest records, submit a GRAMA request form to the Sheriff's Office. You will need to provide the subject's full name, date of birth, date of arrest, and case number if available. A valid government-issued photo ID is required for in-person requests. The Sheriff's Office has 10 business days to respond. Prepayment is required if the estimated cost exceeds $50.
The Salt Lake County Sheriff also maintains an online inmate lookup tool for the Metro Jail. This shows current detainees and can help confirm whether a person is in custody on Salt Lake County felony charges. Arrest records from the Sheriff are separate from court conviction records. Both types of records may be needed to get a complete picture of a Salt Lake County felony case.
Salt Lake County Records Management
Salt Lake County operates a dedicated Records Management office that processes public records requests under GRAMA for county government documents.
The Salt Lake County Records Management office handles requests for county records that are separate from court case files. For court-specific felony records, direct your request to the Third District Court clerk at the Scott M. Matheson Courthouse.
Salt Lake County District Attorney
The Salt Lake County District Attorney's Office prosecutes felony cases throughout the county. When police make a felony arrest in Salt Lake County, the DA reviews the case and decides whether to file formal charges. The DA's office handles cases from filing through trial and sentencing at the Third District Court.
The District Attorney's Office maintains case records as part of the prosecution. Defendants can access case documents through the discovery process. Victim services are available through the DA's office for people affected by Salt Lake County felony crimes. For case status information, the DA's office can direct you to the right contact depending on the stage of the case.
The DA coordinates closely with Salt Lake County law enforcement agencies including the Sheriff's Office, the Salt Lake City Police Department, and the Unified Police Department. Each of these agencies creates arrest records when felony arrests occur in their jurisdiction within Salt Lake County. All felony charges ultimately go through the Third District Court and the District Attorney's Office.
Note: The District Attorney's internal case files are not public in the same way as court records. Contact the DA at the Salt Lake County government main number or visit saltlakecounty.gov for current contact information.
What Salt Lake County Felony Records Contain
Salt Lake County felony court records include the criminal information or indictment that formally charges a person, all motions filed by the prosecution and defense, hearing transcripts and minute entries, plea agreements, trial records, jury verdicts, and sentencing orders. These documents form the complete case file kept by the Third District Court clerk. Each document in the file is part of the public record under GRAMA unless sealed by court order.
The case record shows the defendant's full name, date of birth, the specific Utah Code section violated, the class of felony charged, and the final disposition. If the case went to trial, the verdict is recorded. If the person pleaded guilty, the plea agreement and the factual basis for the plea are part of the file. Sentencing orders show the prison term imposed and any conditions of parole or probation.
Arrest records from the Salt Lake County Sheriff or city police departments show the date of arrest, location, arresting officer, initial charges, and booking information. These are maintained by the arresting agency rather than the court. Together, arrest records and court records create a full picture of a Salt Lake County felony case from initial arrest through final sentencing.
Utah Felony Classes in Salt Lake County
Salt Lake County felony records identify the class of felony for each charge. Utah law under Utah Code Title 76 establishes four felony classes. Capital felonies carry the most severe penalties including death or life without parole. First degree felonies carry five years to life in state prison and a fine up to $10,000. Second degree felonies carry one to fifteen years in state prison and up to $10,000 in fines. Third degree felonies carry up to five years in state prison and fines up to $5,000.
All felony sentences in Utah are served in a state prison facility managed by the Utah Department of Corrections. The Department of Corrections operates the inmate lookup tool online for tracking the status of people convicted of Salt Lake County felony offenses. Under Utah Code § 76-3-201, imprisonment for a felony means state prison, not the Salt Lake County jail.
GRAMA Requests in Salt Lake County
Under Utah Code § 63G-2-201, you have the right to inspect public records at no cost. This means you can view Salt Lake County felony records without paying a fee simply to look at them. Fees may apply when requesting copies. Salt Lake County Records Management charges $0.50 per page for paper copies and $10 per certified document. Staff time is billed at $25 per hour after the first 15 minutes.
To submit a GRAMA request in Salt Lake County, contact the correct agency. Court records go to the Third District Court clerk. Sheriff arrest records go to the Salt Lake County Sheriff's Office. Records Management handles county government documents. Each agency has its own GRAMA records officer. All must respond within 10 business days. If your request is denied, you can appeal to the agency head and then to the State Records Committee. The Utah Open Records Portal provides forms and guidance.
Note: Prepayment is required in Salt Lake County when the estimated cost of fulfilling a records request exceeds $50. Submit the most specific request possible to reduce search time and cost.
Expungement of Salt Lake County Felony Records
Some Salt Lake County felony convictions may be expunged under Utah law. An expungement seals the record from public view. Capital felonies and first degree felonies are not eligible. Most second and third degree felony convictions can be considered for expungement after a waiting period has passed and all sentence conditions have been met. Drug-related felonies may have different eligibility rules than violent offenses.
The process starts at the Utah Bureau of Criminal Identification. Visit bci.utah.gov/expungements for eligibility information and the petition forms. The BCI issues a certificate of eligibility before the court hearing. The petition is then filed with the Third District Court in Salt Lake County. A hearing may be scheduled, and the prosecution has the right to object. Once the court grants expungement, the Salt Lake County felony record is sealed from public searches.
If you want to check your own criminal history before pursuing expungement, contact the BCI at (801) 965-4445. A name-based check costs $15 and returns all criminal convictions on file for Salt Lake County and other Utah counties. This helps you understand exactly what records exist before filing a petition.
Cities in Salt Lake County
Salt Lake County includes many of Utah's most populous cities. Felony cases from all of these cities are filed with the Third District Court in Salt Lake County. Arrest records for felony charges in each city are held by that city's police department or the Unified Police Department, depending on jurisdiction.
All cities listed above are located within Salt Lake County. Felony cases arising from any of these communities are handled by the Third District Court and the Salt Lake County District Attorney's Office.
Nearby Counties
Salt Lake County borders several other Utah counties. Cases that occur near county lines may be filed in a neighboring county. If you are not finding a record in Salt Lake County, check the counties below as well.