Salt Lake County Traffic Ticket Records
Salt Lake County traffic ticket records are spread across several courts serving Utah's most populous county. The Third District Court handles cases that move beyond the justice court level, while a network of city and county justice courts process the bulk of traffic citations throughout the Salt Lake Valley. This page explains where to search records, how each court handles traffic cases, and what options you have if you receive a citation in Salt Lake County.
Salt Lake County Quick Facts
Third District Court - Salt Lake County
The Third District Court serves Salt Lake County with multiple courthouse locations across the valley. The main courthouse is the Scott M. Matheson Courthouse in downtown Salt Lake City. This court handles felony cases, civil matters over $11,000, family law, and probate. Traffic cases that result in criminal charges at the Class A misdemeanor or felony level are heard here, as are appeals from justice court decisions.
The Third District operates branch locations in West Jordan and Sandy in addition to the Matheson Courthouse. Each location has its own clerk's office where you can request case records or make payments. When a traffic citation is elevated to a criminal matter, the case moves to district court and becomes part of the public court record maintained under the Utah Courts system. You can look up district court cases through MyCase on the Utah Courts website at no charge for basic case information.
| Court |
Third District Court Scott M. Matheson Courthouse 450 South State Street Salt Lake City, UT 84111 Phone: (801) 238-7300 |
|---|---|
| Hours | Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM |
| Branch Locations | West Jordan (8080 S Redwood Rd), Sandy, Tooele |
| Website | Third District Court |
The Third District Court page at utcourts.gov lists all courthouse addresses, phone numbers, and department information. If you are not sure which location handles your case, call the main number at (801) 238-7300 and staff can direct you.
The image below shows the Third District Court website, which lists court locations, filing hours, and case search options for Salt Lake County traffic cases that reach the district court level.
Visit the Third District Court site directly to confirm current hours and which branch handles your specific case type.
Salt Lake County Justice Court
The Salt Lake County Justice Court handles traffic infractions, Class B and C misdemeanors, and small claims cases up to $11,000 for unincorporated areas of the county and certain cities. The court is located at 2001 South State Street, Suite S1-300, Salt Lake City, UT 84190. Call them at (385) 468-8200. Office hours run Monday through Friday, 8 AM to 5 PM, though in-person payments are not accepted after 4:30 PM.
When you pay or submit documents to the Salt Lake County Justice Court, include your case number, a phone number, and an email address. This helps the court process your submission quickly. Payment methods include online, money orders, cashier's checks, and personal checks. You can also drop off documents at the court location.
If you need an audio recording of a court hearing, the fee is $15.00 and you must request it at least one week in advance. The court handles a large volume of traffic cases, so plan ahead if you need documentation for any purpose.
The image below shows the Salt Lake County Justice Court's public information page, where you can find contact details, payment options, and case lookup tools.
The Salt Lake County Justice Court website at slco.org/justice-court has information on how to respond to a citation, pay fines, and request records.
City Justice Courts in Salt Lake County
Salt Lake County has a large number of city-operated justice courts. Most traffic citations issued within a city are handled by that city's own court. Here is a summary of the major justice courts in the county.
Salt Lake City Justice Court is located at the John L. Baxter Courthouse, 333 S 200 E, Salt Lake City, UT 84111, phone (801) 535-6300. This court uses the Traffic Resolution Information Platform (TRIP), which lets you handle many citation issues online without appearing in court. Salt Lake City offers Deferred Prosecution and Plea in Abeyance programs for eligible traffic violations. Online traffic school options are also available. If you have a "fix it" violation, you must correct the issue within 14 days, get it inspected, and submit the signed citation to the court. The court provides interpreter services if you request them at least three days before your hearing.
West Valley City Justice Court, West Jordan Justice Court, Sandy Justice Court, Murray Justice Court, and Taylorsville Justice Court each serve residents of their respective cities. Herriman Justice Court is at 5355 W. Herriman Main Street, Herriman, UT 84096, phone (801) 446-5323. South Jordan, Draper, Riverton, Cottonwood Heights, Midvale, and South Salt Lake all operate their own justice courts as well.
South Salt Lake Justice Court is located at 220 E Morris Avenue, South Salt Lake, UT 84115, phone (801) 483-6072. This court accepts online payments as the preferred method. Cash is only accepted in person. Certification of records costs $4 per document plus $0.50 per printed page.
If you are not sure which court handles your citation, look at the citation itself. The issuing agency and court name should be printed on the ticket. You can also use MyCase to search by your name or citation number and find the correct court location.
How to Search Salt Lake County Traffic Ticket Records
The Utah Courts system makes it easy to look up traffic ticket records for Salt Lake County. The main tool is MyCase, which is a free public portal. You can search by name, case number, or citation number. MyCase shows case status, hearing dates, charges, and some financial information. It covers both justice court and district court cases.
For cases handled through XChange, court staff and authorized users can access more detailed records. The public XChange terminals located at courthouses are free to use in person. These terminals give you access to the same data available online, which is useful if you do not have internet access at home.
To search online, go to utcourts.gov/mycase and enter the full name of the person named on the citation. You can narrow results by date range or case type. Traffic cases are usually listed under the infraction or misdemeanor category depending on the violation. The search results show the court location, case number, and current status.
In-person records requests can be made at any Salt Lake County courthouse during business hours. Bring a photo ID and the case number if you have it. Copies of records cost $0.50 per page at most locations. If you need certified copies, ask the clerk for the current fee at the time of your visit.
Traffic Violations and Penalties in Salt Lake County
Utah classifies traffic violations under the Utah Traffic Code, Title 41 Chapter 6a. Most citations issued in Salt Lake County fall into one of two categories: infractions or misdemeanors. Infractions are non-criminal violations. They result in fines but no jail time and no criminal record. Common infractions include speeding, running a red light, and improper lane changes.
Misdemeanor traffic violations are more serious. Class B and C misdemeanors include reckless driving, driving on a suspended license, and some moving violations. These go through the justice court system. Class A misdemeanors and felony traffic charges, such as DUI causing injury or fleeing police, are heard at the Third District Court level. A conviction at either level creates a permanent court record that shows up in public searches.
Fines in Salt Lake County vary by violation and court. Each court sets its own fine schedule within state guidelines. Speeding fines increase based on how far over the limit you were driving. School zone and construction zone violations often carry doubled fines. Points are added to your driving record through the Utah Driver License Division, and enough points can lead to suspension. The Driver License Division maintains your driving record separately from the court records, so you may need to check both systems for a complete picture.
Deferred Prosecution and Traffic School Options
Several courts in Salt Lake County offer deferred prosecution for qualifying traffic violations. This program lets you avoid a conviction on your record if you meet certain conditions, which may include completing a defensive driving course, paying a fee, and staying violation-free for a set period. Not all violations qualify, and courts set their own eligibility rules.
The Utah Courts system runs a statewide deferred traffic prosecution program. You can find information and apply at utcourts.gov/deferredtraffic. Salt Lake City Justice Court also offers its own version through the TRIP system. If you are interested in a deferred outcome, check your citation and contact the issuing court as soon as possible. Most courts require you to request a deferral before your initial hearing date. Waiting too long can cost you the option.
Online traffic school is available for some violations in Salt Lake County. Completing an approved course can help reduce points on your license or satisfy court requirements. Ask the specific court on your citation whether traffic school applies to your case and which providers they accept.
Accessing Records Under GRAMA
Traffic ticket records in Salt Lake County are public records under Utah's Government Records Access and Management Act (GRAMA). You can request records from any justice court or district court clerk in the county. Submit your request in writing, include your name, contact information, and a description of the records you want. Courts typically respond within five business days.
Online payments for traffic fines in Salt Lake County can be made through the Utah Courts online payment system at utcourts.gov/epayments. This system works for most courts in the county. Have your case number ready when you access it. Some individual city courts also have their own payment portals linked from their city websites.
The Utah Bureau of Criminal Identification at bci.utah.gov handles background checks and criminal history records that may include traffic-related convictions. This is different from the court records system. If you need a certified driving record, contact the Utah Driver License Division directly.
Cities in Salt Lake County
Salt Lake County covers a large urban and suburban area with many incorporated cities, each operating its own justice court for traffic cases. Browse city pages for specific court details and local information.
Nearby Counties
Salt Lake County borders several Utah counties. If a citation was issued near a county line, check the ticket to confirm which court has jurisdiction over the case.