Series 26246
District Court (Fifth District : Washington County) Criminal case files
Dates: 1896-
6.00 cubic feet and 8 microfilm reels
These records are housed in the Utah State Archives' permanent storage room.
Historical Note
An agency history is available.
Scope and Content
Case files are made up of the various documents filed with the Fifth District Court in Washington 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 ofproperty valued 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 notbe found in 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 2, 3, 5, 23, 33, 38, 39, 54, 64, 69, 95, 99, 107, 160, 169, 170, 209, 264, 269, 288, 310, 324, 325, and 400 are missing.
Research Note
Formal jacketing of case files begins with case #76. Prior to that case files were housed in tri-fold jackets. These tri-fold jackets often contain the case file number, however many of the early cases are missing their jackets and will need to be identified by defendant name.
Research Note
In December 2009 additional case material for cases 100 and 101 were found in the court and mailed to the State Archives. The case files has been added to the physical holdings but has not been microfilmed.
Research Note
Formal jacketing of case files begins with case #76. Prior to that case files were housed in tri-fold jackets. These tri-fold jackets often contain the case file number, however many of the early cases are missing their jackets and will need to be identified by defendant name.
Research Note
In December 2009 additional case material for cases 100 and 101 were found in the court and mailed to the State Archives. The case files has been added to the physical holdings but has not been microfilmed.
Access Restrictions
This series is designated as Public.
Reproduction and Use
These records are available for reproduction and use.
Related Records
Register of actions from the District Court (Fifth District : Washington County), Series 23737, is a register for criminal and probate cases as well as civil cases from 1895-1899.
Criminal registers of actions from the District Court (Fifth District : Washington County), Series 25159, contain indexed register entries for criminal cases between 1896 and 1990.
Index to civil and criminal actions from the District Court (Fifth District : Washington County), Series 26247, is an index for civil and criminal cases from 1896-1937.
Indexing Terms
Court records--Utah--Washington County
| REEL | BOX | DATE | DESCRIPTION |
| 1 | 1 | 1896 - 1907 | 1-24 |
| 2 | 1 | 1907 - 1918 | 25-47 |
| 2 | 2 | 1907 - 1918 | 48-72 |
| 3 | 2 | 1918 - 1925 | 73-90 |
| 3 | 3 | 1918 - 1925 | 91-125 |
| 4 | 3 | 1925 - 1930 | 126-149 |
| 4 | 4 | 1925 - 1930 | 150-177 |
| 5 | 4 | 1930 - 1937 | 178-240 |
| 6 | 4 | 1937 - 1941 | 241-249 |
| 6 | 5 | 1937 - 1941 | 250-301 |
| 7 | 5 | 1941 - 1950 | 302-339 |
| 7 | 6 | 1941 - 1950 | 340-376 |
| 8 | 6 | 1950 - 1955 | 377-418 |