Salt Lake County District Attorney's Office

A person commits domestic violence (DV) if he or she commits or threatens to commit an act of violence against a cohabitant. In this instance, a cohabitant can be a spouse, former spouse, intimate partner, adult family member, someone that has a common child with the perpetrator, and a roommate. In the State of Utah, defendants convicted of crimes with a DV classification face more restrictions than those guilty of committing the same crime without the DV designation.

Domestic violence cases can either be felonies or misdemeanors. When deciding how to charge DV cases, the DV Team of the DA’s Office looks at a number of different factors including the nature and severity of the crime, the extent of injury to the victim, the involvement of any weapons, the criminal history of the people involved, the use of any drug or alcohol, and other aggravating and mitigating factors.

Reporting Domestic Violence

To file a police report, call your local law enforcement agency.

If you wish to contact the Salt Lake County District Attorney’s Domestic Violence Team, call (801) 363-7900.

Protective Orders

If a batterer is threatening you and/or your family, you may file for a protective order. For protective order assistance contact:

Legal Aid Society of Utah at (801) 328-8849
Utah State Courts self-help resources.
Third District Court Protective Order Clerk at (801) 238-7171

Helpful Resources for Victims Shelters

There are several shelters for victims of Domestic Violence found throughout our community. A few of those resources are listed below and more can be found in the Victim Resources section of this website. Additionally, there are a number of community shelters that can be found through local places of worship and community centers.

The Salt Lake Area Family Justice Center also provides victim-centered services.
The Center can be found at 344 East 300 South, lower level, Salt Lake City. Hours of operation are Monday through Friday from 9:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. This can aid victims in locating temporary housing, protective orders, employment, child care, and assistance throughout the criminal process.

Legal Services

Financial Assistance

There are a number of agencies that can assist a victim with financial concerns in order to locate temporary housing or help with crime scene clean-up costs, or other expenses related to domestic violence.

Frequently Asked Questions