Search Salt Lake County Traffic Court Records
Salt Lake County traffic court records come from multiple courts spread across Utah's most populous county. With over 1.2 million residents, Salt Lake County has both the Salt Lake County Justice Court for unincorporated areas and the Salt Lake City Justice Court for citations issued within city limits. Multiple municipal justice courts also operate in cities like Sandy, West Valley City, West Jordan, South Jordan, and others. All of these courts process traffic cases that become part of the public record, searchable online through the Utah Courts systems or in person at each courthouse.
Salt Lake County Quick Facts
Salt Lake County Courts Handling Traffic Cases
Salt Lake County has several courts that handle traffic matters. Which court has your record depends on where in the county the citation was issued. Citations in unincorporated parts of the county go to the Salt Lake County Justice Court. Citations issued within Salt Lake City limits go to the Salt Lake City Justice Court. Other cities like Sandy, West Valley City, West Jordan, and South Jordan each run their own municipal justice courts. All handle Class B and C misdemeanor traffic violations and infractions under Utah Code § 78A-7-106.
The Third District Court at 450 South State Street handles felony criminal cases, civil matters over $11,000, domestic relations, and probate. If your traffic matter involves a felony charge such as automobile homicide or DUI causing serious injury, it would be heard at the Third District Court rather than a justice court. Most routine traffic citations, however, stay at the justice court level. The Third District Court is reachable at 801-238-7300, Monday through Friday, 8 AM to 5 PM.
The Salt Lake County Justice Court covers citations issued in unincorporated parts of the county. It sits at 2001 South State Street, S3700, Salt Lake City, UT 84190, and can be reached at 385-468-8600. Hours run Monday through Friday, 8 AM to 4:30 PM. This court handles Class B and C misdemeanors, traffic violations, and small claims up to $11,000 within the unincorporated county area.
Utah Courts XChange at utcourts.gov provides online access to Salt Lake County traffic court records from all courts within the county, going back to July 2011.
| Third District Court | 450 South State Street, Salt Lake City, UT 84111 Phone: 801-238-7300 Hours: Mon-Fri 8 AM - 5 PM Handles: Felony cases, civil over $11,000, domestic relations, probate |
|---|---|
| Salt Lake County Justice Court | 2001 South State Street, S3700, Salt Lake City, UT 84190 Phone: 385-468-8600 Hours: Mon-Fri 8 AM - 4:30 PM Handles: Traffic violations, Class B/C misdemeanors, small claims in unincorporated areas |
| Salt Lake City Justice Court | 333 South 200 East, Salt Lake City, UT 84111 Phone: 801-535-6300 Hours: Mon-Fri 8 AM - 5 PM Handles: Traffic violations, Class B/C misdemeanors, small claims within Salt Lake City limits |
| Municipal Justice Courts | Sandy, West Valley City, West Jordan, South Jordan, Riverton, Draper, Murray, Taylorsville, Herriman, Cottonwood Heights |
| Records Access | Utah Courts XChange, MyCase (online); in-person at each courthouse |
Salt Lake City Justice Court and TRIP
The Salt Lake City Justice Court at 333 South 200 East handles all traffic citations issued within Salt Lake City limits. You can search records by citation number, driver's license number, or case number through the court's online portal. Salt Lake City uses the Traffic Resolution Information Platform (TRIP) for citation resolution. TRIP lets drivers handle certain tickets online without appearing in court, provided all required steps are completed within 14 days of the citation date.
TRIP is available through the Salt Lake City courts website at slc.gov/courts/traffic/. If you received a citation in Salt Lake City and want to use TRIP, act quickly. The 14-day window moves fast. Not all violations qualify for TRIP resolution, so check the site to see if your citation is eligible. The Salt Lake City Justice Court can be reached at 801-535-6300 if you have questions about whether TRIP applies to your case.
The Salt Lake City Justice Court at slc.gov/courts/traffic handles traffic citations issued within city limits, including online TRIP resolution for qualifying violations.
Records from the Salt Lake City Justice Court are public under GRAMA, Utah Code § 63G-2-103. Anyone can request or view these records. The court maintains case files for traffic citations and misdemeanor matters handled within Salt Lake City. If you need to look up a specific case, have the citation number or case number ready before you call or go online.
How to Find Salt Lake County Traffic Court Records
Salt Lake County traffic court records are accessible online through two main Utah Courts systems. The first is MyCase, which is free. The second is XChange, which is a subscription service with more detailed access. Both systems cover cases from all courts in Salt Lake County going back to July 2011. For older records, contact the specific court that handled the case.
The MyCase portal at utcourts.gov requires no account for basic searches. Enter a name or case number to see case history, scheduled hearing dates, and public documents. MyCase works well on mobile and is available any time of day or night. It covers all Salt Lake County courts including the county justice court, the Salt Lake City justice court, and the municipal courts in Sandy, West Valley City, and other cities. Free and easy to use, MyCase is the right starting point for most people.
The XChange system costs $30 per month or $240 per year and provides expanded access to court records across all Utah courts. XChange lets you search by name, case number, or citation number and pull detailed docket information, documents, and case histories. Legal professionals, insurers, and researchers who frequently need court records often rely on XChange. It covers Salt Lake County and all other Utah counties in a single search interface.
The Utah Courts ePayment system allows online payment for Salt Lake County traffic fines without visiting a courthouse. Standard copies of court records cost $0.25 per page. You have the right to inspect records at no charge under Utah Code § 63G-2-201(1). Free inspection means you can review a file in person at the courthouse without paying; the copying fee applies only if you take physical copies with you.
Salt Lake City Police Department Records
Traffic accident reports and police records in Salt Lake City are separate from court records. The Salt Lake City Police Department maintains its own records at 475 South 300 East, Salt Lake City, UT 84111. Public records requests require a GRAMA request. The records window is open Monday through Friday, 12 PM to 4 PM.
Police report fees at the Salt Lake City Police Department are $15 per report for up to 50 pages, then $0.25 per page for anything beyond that. Traffic accident reports cost $15 per report. If you need a traffic accident report from a crash in Salt Lake City, this is where to get it. Accident reports statewide can also be accessed through the Utah accident report portal at secure.utah.gov.
Police records and court records are not the same thing. A police report covers what an officer documented at the scene. A court record covers what happened after the citation was filed with the court. You may need both depending on what you are looking for. Insurance claims, for example, often require the accident report. Court case status requires the court record from the relevant justice court or district court.
Salt Lake County Traffic Court Record Retention
Salt Lake County courts follow Utah's established record retention schedules. Traffic cases are kept for 3 to 6 years after final disposition. Criminal misdemeanor cases are kept for 10 to 20 years. Criminal felony cases are retained for 75 years. Civil cases stay in the record for 7 to 10 years after final disposition. These schedules apply to Salt Lake County courts and determine how far back a search through MyCase or XChange can go for different case types.
Cases within the retention window are generally accessible through MyCase and XChange back to July 2011 when the systems went live. Records before that date require contact with the specific court that handled the case. Older paper records may be archived or stored off-site, which can mean longer retrieval times. If you need a record from many years ago and don't find it through MyCase, call the court directly to ask about older file access.
For Salt Lake County traffic cases, the 3 to 6 year retention period means that old minor violations may no longer be in the active system. If you are trying to track down a very old case, in-person inquiry at the court where the case was filed gives you the best chance of locating it. Bring as much identifying information as possible, including the case number, citation number, and the full name of the person involved.
Salt Lake County Traffic Violations and Fines
Salt Lake County courts use Utah's standard statewide traffic fine schedule. Speeding fines increase based on how far you were over the limit. Going 1 to 10 mph over brings a fine around $120. From 11 to 15 mph over the limit it goes up to about $150. From 16 to 20 mph over it reaches around $200. At 21 to 25 mph over expect approximately $270. From 26 to 30 mph over the fine climbs to about $370. Speeds of 31 mph or more over the limit can result in fines starting at $470 and potentially higher.
Missing a court date in Salt Lake County results in a bench warrant for failure to appear. This applies whether your case is at the county justice court, the Salt Lake City justice court, or a municipal court. The warrant stays active until you address it. If you are not sure whether a warrant exists, check MyCase at utcourts.gov or contact the specific court that has your case. Dealing with it quickly gives you more options than waiting.
Some Salt Lake County traffic violations qualify for deferred prosecution. This option lets qualifying drivers have a case deferred so it doesn't appear on their driving record if they complete the required steps. CDL holders do not qualify for deferred prosecution in Utah. Visit the deferred traffic prosecution page at utcourts.gov to learn more about eligibility. The specific court handling your case will tell you whether deferral is available for your violation.
Legal Resources for Salt Lake County Traffic Cases
The Utah Courts forms library has downloadable forms for traffic and misdemeanor matters at no cost. If you plan to represent yourself in a Salt Lake County traffic case, this is a good place to find what you need before your court date. Forms are available for common filings at both the justice court and district court level.
Utah Legal Services provides free legal help to people with low income in Salt Lake County. Their offices serve the Salt Lake City area. Visit utahlegalservices.org to check eligibility and find contact information. The Utah State Bar's lawyer referral service can connect you with an attorney who handles traffic and misdemeanor cases in Salt Lake County. The State Bar can be reached at 801-531-9077.
Traffic convictions in Salt Lake County can affect your Utah driving record. The Utah Driver License Division tracks points and license status separately from the court record. Moving violation convictions can add points to your license and may affect insurance rates. If a violation results in license suspension or revocation, the DLD handles that process separately from the court proceeding. Contact the DLD directly for questions about your driving record.
The Utah Bureau of Criminal Investigation maintains statewide criminal history records that can include misdemeanor traffic convictions. Visit bci.utah.gov to review your own BCI record. Class B and C misdemeanor traffic convictions from any Salt Lake County justice court can appear in a BCI background check. Requesting your own BCI report tells you exactly what a background check would show.
Cities in Salt Lake County
Salt Lake County has more qualifying cities than any other county in Utah. Each of the cities below has a dedicated traffic court records page with local court information, contact details, and resources specific to that city.
Nearby Counties
Salt Lake County sits in the center of the Wasatch Front and borders several other Utah counties. If you are not certain which county holds a traffic court record, check where the citation was issued.