S.B. 219 Enrolled

AMENDMENTS TO JUSTICE COURT
OPERATIONS
2004 GENERAL SESSION
STATE OF UTAH
Sponsor: Ed P. Mayne

LONG TITLE
General Description:
This bill allows municipal and county justice courts to operate four days per week with
expanded hours.
Highlighted Provisions:
This bill:
. allows municipal and county justice courts to be open to transact judicial business
for no less than four days per week for at least 11 hours per day.
Monies Appropriated in this Bill:
None
Other Special Clauses:
None
Utah Code Sections Affected:
AMENDS:
78-5-108, as enacted by Chapter 157, Laws of Utah 1989

Be it enacted by the Legislature of the state of Utah:
Section 1. Section 78-5-108 is amended to read:
78-5-108. Trial facilities -- Hours of business.
(1) A justice court judge shall conduct all official court business in a courtroom or
office located in a public facility which is conducive and appropriate to the administration of
justice.
(2) Each county, city, or town shall provide adequate courtroom and auxiliary space for

the justice court. The facility need not be specifically constructed for or allocated solely for the
justice court if existing facilities adequately serve the purposes of the justice court.
(3) County and municipal justice courts shall be open and judicial business shall be
transacted [every day except as provided by law including the provisions of Section 78-3-24
regarding court administration.]:
(a) five days per week; or
(b) no less than four days per week for at least 11 hours per day.
(4) The legislative body of the county, city, or town shall establish operating hours for the
justice courts within the requirements of Subsection (3) and the code of judicial administration.
(5) The hours the courts are open shall be posted conspicuously at the courts and in local
public buildings. [The judges of county and municipal courts shall attend the court at regularly
scheduled times.]
(6) The clerk of the court and judges of county and municipal courts shall attend the
court at regularly scheduled times.

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