Victim/Witness Resources

District Attorney's Office

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Criminal Justice Process: FAQs

How do I report a crime?
Contact your local law enforcement agency. They are responsible for investigating crimes—which they then bring to the DA’s Office for screening.

Can private citizens screen cases directly with the District Attorney’s Office?
No. All cases screened by the District Attorney’s Office must first be reported to the appropriate police agency. The police agency should conduct an investigation then bring the case to the District Attorney’s Office to be screened.

Where does my case go after it has been screened?
If the case is filed with the court then the case is transferred to the prosecution team assigned to prosecute the case. If you call the main phone number at the District Attorney’s Office they will be able to tell you where you case is in the system.

I have been told that my case is declined because it is civil and not criminal, what can I do?
You should contact a civil attorney for direction on how to proceed with your case. You may also wish to refer to the State web site for directions on how to file a small claims case.

Can the victim of a crime dismiss charges against a defendant?
No. A victim of a crime does not press charges in the State of Utah and, therefore, cannot dismiss criminal charges. Only the prosecuting agency or judge has the authority to dismiss a criminal case.

The defendant was ordered to pay restitution, how do I get my money?
The defendant does not pay restitution directly to the victim of a crime. The payment goes through either the court or the supervisory agency which then issues a check to the victim.

How can I get the defendant out of jail for a funeral or medical appointment?
The DA’s Office will not help family members get the defendant out of jail for a funeral or medical appointment. This is an issue for the judge who heard the defendant’s case. The defendant or family member needs to contact the defendant’s attorney to petition the court for these types of requests.

What do I need to do to get my record expunged?
The first step to getting your record expunged is contacting the Bureau of Criminal Identification (BCI). Once they do a records check, they will tell you what to do from there. Contact BCI between the hours of 8 AM to 5 PM, Monday through Friday, at (801) 965-4445.