AGENCY: Weber County (Utah). Probate Court

SERIES: 1593
TITLE: Civil and criminal case files
DATES: 1852-1887.
ARRANGEMENT: Chronological by filing date through 1879, thereafter numerical by case number.

DESCRIPTION: In 1852 the Utah Territorial Legislature provided that the Probate Court should have jurisdiction not only in estate and guardianship matters, but original jurisdiction in civil, criminal, and chancery cases. The Probate Court could act as an appellant court to the Justice of the Peace Courts in the County, and decisions made in the Probate Court could be appealed to the District Court. This series includes those cases handled by the Probate Court which are not probate or estate cases. Civil cases include primarily divorce, debt, and damages cases. Criminal cases include larceny, assault, and disturbing the peace charges. Other case types include appeals and habeas corpus hearings. In 1874 the federal Poland Act revoked the jurisdiction of the Probate Court over all but divorce and probate cases. In 1887, the federal Edmunds-Tucker act revoked Probate Court jurisdiction in divorce cases, and with that Act, the creation of this series ended.

RETENTION

DISPOSITION

RETENTION AND DISPOSITION AUTHORIZATION

These records are in Archives' permanent custody.

FORMAT MANAGEMENT

Paper: Retain in State Archives permanently after microfilming.

Microfilm master: For records beginning in 1852 through 1887. Retain in State Archives permanently with authority to weed.

Microfilm duplicate: For records beginning in 1852 through 1887. Retain in State Archives permanently with authority to weed.

APPRAISAL

Historical

This series documents early divorces, civil, and criminal court proceedings in Weber County.

PRIMARY DESIGNATION

Public

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