{"id":376735,"date":"2023-10-11T10:24:51","date_gmt":"2023-10-11T15:24:51","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/content.findlaw-admin.com\/ability-law\/state\/utah-law\/utah-district-attorneys.html"},"modified":"2023-10-11T10:24:51","modified_gmt":"2023-10-11T15:24:51","slug":"utah-district-attorneys","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/state\/utah-law\/utah-district-attorneys.html","title":{"rendered":"Utah District Attorneys"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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Utah District Attorneys<\/h1>\n
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\n By Eric Harvey, J.D.<\/a> | Legally reviewed by Melissa Bender, Esq.<\/a>\n | Last updated\n
\n \n <\/i>\n Legally Reviewed\n <\/summary>\n\n
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This article has been written and reviewed for legal accuracy, clarity, and style by FindLaw\u2019s team of legal writers and attorneys<\/a> and in accordance with our editorial standards<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n <\/details>\n\n

\n \n <\/i>\n Fact-Checked\n <\/summary>\n\n
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The last updated date refers to the last time this article was reviewed by FindLaw or one of our contributing authors<\/a>. We make every effort to keep our articles updated. For information regarding a specific legal issue affecting you, please contact an attorney in your area<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n <\/details>\n<\/section>\n

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The official who files formal criminal charges against suspects at the district or county level is the district attorney (D.A.). Depending on the state, each D.A. office covers one or more counties. When the D.A. files the information, the criminal case officially begins. <\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n\n

It might also start when a grand jury<\/a> decides to indict. In Utah, the D.A.s are county attorneys.<\/p>\r\n

There are times when it makes sense to communicate with the county attorney. An example is negotiating a plea bargain<\/a>. But it’s essential to get the legal representation you need. It’s important to work with a criminal defense attorney. An attorney will know how to correspond in a way that doesn’t expose your legal defense strategy. Remember that the county attorney is trying to get a conviction against you. So, they won’t hesitate to use anything you say or reveal against you.<\/p>\r\n

This article gives more information about the role of Utah County Attorneys, the Utah Attorney General, and more.<\/p>\r\n

Utah Attorney General’s Office<\/h2>\r\n

The Utah Attorney General<\/a> (A.G.) is the state’s top prosecutorial and law enforcement official. The A.G. handles the administration of criminal law and the criminal justice system in the state. This official represents the state as a whole. They do so in matters of litigation. The A.G. also files lawsuits on behalf of Utah residents. They do so for consumer protection violations and other matters. By contrast, county attorneys file criminal charges within their respective districts.<\/p>\r\n

Several departments operate under the authority of the Utah Attorney General’s office. These include the following:<\/p>\r\n

SECURE Strike Force<\/b><\/a> \u2014 State Enforcement of Crimes Committed by Undocumented Residents.<\/p>\r\n

Special Investigations Division<\/b><\/a> \u2014 This division investigates complex white-collar crimes, public corruption, fraud, antitrust complaints, child abuse, etc.<\/p>\r\n

ICAC Task Force<\/b><\/a> \u2014 The Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force investigates and prosecutes people who use the internet to exploit children.<\/p>\r\n

Salt Lake Family Justice Center<\/b><\/a> \u2014 This organization provides resources to families victimized by crime. It provides legal assistance to such families as long as they qualify as low-income.<\/p>\r\n

County attorneys city prosecutors, and A.G.s handle the prosecution of all crimes. Examples of these include:<\/p>\r\n