Series 18219
District Court (Fifth District : Iron County) Criminal case files
Dates: 1896-
6.00 cubic feet and 9 microfilm reels
These records are housed in the Utah State Archives' permanent storage room.
Scope and Content
Case files are made up of the various documents filed with the Fifth District Court in Iron County pertaining to each specific case. The records usually contain information such as the case number, and the names of the defendants, counsel, jurors, and witnesses. The case file may include complaints, indictments, subpoenas, verdicts, warrants of arrest, execution or confinement, warrant returns, affidavits, orders, judgments, appeal notices. Files rarely include transcripts of testimony.
First, second, and third degree felony cases are the predominant case file type within this series (a major crime for which the maximum imprisonment is more than one year in a state correctional institution). This would include first degree offenses such as murder, rape, aggravated kidnapping, aggravated burglary and robbery, arson, and possession with intent to distribute drugs. Second degree offenses include: manslaughter, robbery, residential burglary, kidnapping, perjury, forgery, theft of propertyvalued over $1,000.00, forcible sexual abuse, and intentional child abuse. Third degree felonies include: burglary of non-dwellings, theft, aggravated assault, forgery, unlawful sexual intercourse, joyriding, possession with intent to distribute marijuana or cocaine, and false or forged prescriptions.
This series also contains misdemeanor cases which are punishable by a county jail term of up to one year and/or a fine. Misdemeanors include: negligent homicide, driving under the influence, theft, assault on a police officer, criminal mischief, resisting arrest, reckless driving, possession of marijuana, shoplifting, trespassing, and possession of a concealed weapon.
Juvenile cases tried prior to 1907 can also be found in this series. In 1907, a separate statewide juvenile court was established allowing juvenile court jurisdiction in all matters involving children 18 years of age and younger, including parents and guardians of juvenile delinquents.
Missing cases should not be foundin appellate court records since the Supreme Court is required by law [Rule 76 (d)] to remit their decision to the District Court "together with such papers transmitted to the Supreme Court on appeal." Furthermore, Rule 75 (n) states that after the appeal has been disposed of, any original papers should be returned to the custody of the district court. Cases which are appealed to the District Court from lower courts will be found in this series.
Gaps in Series
Cases 6, 15, 19, 23, 24, 26, 27, 28, 32, 33, 34, 35, 37, 39, 44, 47, 58, 59, 60, 61, 64, 67, 68, 73, 94, 99, 149, 175, and 211, are missing from the original arrangement kept between 1896 and 1932. Cases 78, 94, 161, and 172 are missing from the renumbered arrangement kept after 1932.
Research Note
The court began renumbering case files in 1932. Between 1896 and 1932 researchers can expect to find case files 1 to 294. After case 294 the new renumbering system was implemented beginning with a new case 1.
Research Note
The court began renumbering case files in 1932. Between 1896 and 1932 researchers can expect to find case files 1 to 294. After case 294 the new renumbering system was implemented beginning with a new case 1.
Access Restrictions
This series is designated as Public.
Reproduction and Use
These records are available for reproduction and use.
Related Records
Minute books from the District Court (Fifth District : Iron County), Series 1390, contains brief minute book entries for court proceedings on any given day.
Criminal registers of actions from the District Court (Fifth District : Iron County), Series 26629, contain register entries and alphabetical indices which can be used to identify the case file numbers needed to access this series for criminal cases between 1896 and 1990.
Indexing Terms
Court records--Utah--Iron County
| REEL | BOX | DATE | DESCRIPTION |
| 1 | 1 | 1896 - 1912 | 1-59 |
| 1 | 2 | 1896 - 1912 | 60-65 |
| 2 | 2 | 1912 - 1921 | 66-140 |
| 3 | 2 | 1921 - 1926 | 141-183 |
| 3 | 3 | 1921 - 1926 | 184-209 |
| 4 | 3 | 1926 - 1930 | 210-264 |
| 5 | 3 | 1930 - 1932 | 265-294 |
| 5 | 4 | 1932 - 1937 | 1-43 |
| 6 | 4 | 1937 - 1945 | 44-100 |
| 6 | 5 | 1937 - 1945 | 101-112 |
| 7 | 5 | 1945 - 1949 | 113-170 |
| 8 | 5 | 1949 - 1953 | 171-177 |
| 8 | 6 | 1949 - 1953 | 178-214 |
| 9 | 6 | 1953 - 1956 | 215-263 |