Salt Lake County District Attorney's Office

As a public office, the Salt Lake County District Attorney’s Office (DA’s Office) must diligently facilitate the public’s right to know concerning our county’s criminal justice system. Accordingly, the DA’s Office will cooperate openly and candidly with the public and media to provide them with timely, accurate, and appropriate information whenever sought. However, that welcome cooperation must be balanced by a prosecutor’s obligation to act within established laws and ethical guidelines to protect vulnerable victims and witnesses.

The following information is intended to help members of the media understand what they can expect when dealing with the DA’s Office:

If you are a member of the media and have a request or question for the Salt Lake County DA’s Office, please contact Alicia Cook at (801) 363-7900.

Criminal Case Guidelines

When an inquiry is made regarding a pending criminal case, the DA’s Office is restricted to commenting only on information already in the public record. When a case is initially filed, public information generally includes: the defendant’s name; the charges filed (except when prohibited by law); the fact, time, and place of arrest; the scheduling of any step of litigation; the identity of arresting officers; and the length of investigation.  Additional information may be shared if the DA’s Office feels it will aid in the apprehension of an at-large accused.

The DA’s Office absolutely will not comment on: the character, credibility, or reputation of a suspect or witness; the identity of a witness; the existence of any statement or admission of guilt from a suspect (except when already entered into public record); the performance or result of any test or examination; any opinion concerning the guilt or innocence of a suspect; or any evidence that is likely inadmissible at trial or that may impair the right of an accused to a fair trial.  

Civil Matters Dealing With Salt Lake County

In addition to handling the criminal prosecution of crimes committed in Salt Lake County, the DA’s Office also represents a number of County entities in civil matters. Any media request regarding the representation of another county entity will be considered according to the specific circumstances of the matter in question. Records that are requested and released will be released by the agency that maintains that record. Accordingly, only public records maintained by the DA’s Office will be released.

GRAMA (Government Records Access and Management) Requests

If you wish to submit a GRAMA request to the DA’s Office please click here for for more information.