Being charged with a crime is a stressful and frightening experience. Adding to this is the complex set-up of Utah’s judicial system, which can create confusion for defendants and their loved ones. For example, what type of court will hear your case? Which court should you go to? And how can you contact the court if you have a question or need information?
These are all important questions to ask if you or a family member has been charged with a crime or arrested in Utah. This short informational guide for defendants and their loved ones will explain:
- What types of criminal cases the West Jordan District Court has jurisdiction over.
- Contact information for the West Jordan District Court.
- Where the court is located.
What Types of Criminal Cases Are Heard in District Court?
There are several different types of criminal courts with in Utah’s judicial system. Justice courts, for example, have jurisdiction over Class C misdemeanors and Class B misdemeanors. District courts have jurisdiction over Class A misdemeanors and all types of felonies, which are more serious charges than Class C or B misdemeanors. Justice courts vastly outnumber district courts. For example, Salt Lake County has over a dozen different justice courts, but only two district courts.
If you have been charged with a felony or Class A misdemeanor in West Jordan, your case will be heard in West Jordan District Court. If you were charged with a Class B or C misdemeanor in West Jordan, your case would be heard in the West Jordan Justice Court. For information about the West Jordan Justice Court, please refer to our informational guide on Salt Lake County justice courts.
Many criminal offenses can be classified in different ways, which can have an effect on where your case is heard. Assault, for instance, can be classified as a Class B misdemeanor or as a Class A misdemeanor, depending on the alleged circumstances. Your West Jordan criminal defense attorney will help you understand how the charges against you are categorized, where and when you need to attend court hearings, and how to prepare for each appearance.
Examples of Class A misdemeanors include, but are not limited to, the following offenses:
- Assault
- Carrying a Concealed Firearm
- Negligent Homicide
- Reckless Endangerment
- Sexual Abuse of a Minor
- Stalking
- Theft
- Trespassing (Criminal Trespass)
There are three main types of felonies in Utah, called third degree felonies, second degree felonies, and first degree felonies. District courts have the authority to hear all types of felony cases. Examples of felony charges in West Jordan include the following:
- Third Degree Felonies
- Aggravated Assault
- Sexual Abuse of a Minor
- Stalking
- Theft
- Second Degree Felonies
- Aggravated Assault
- Carrying a Concealed Firearm
- Kidnapping
- Manslaughter
- Robbery
- Stalking
- Theft
- First Degree Felonies
- Aggravated Burglary
- Aggravated Kidnapping
- Aggravated Robbery
- Aggravated Sexual Assault
- Murder
- Rape
West Jordan District Court Address and Contact Information
Utah’s criminal court system is divided into eight segments called “judicial districts.” As part of Salt Lake County, West Jordan is part of the Third Judicial District. The West Jordan District Court is located at the following address:
8080 South Redwood Road, Suite 1701
West Jordan, UT 84088
You will find the court just off the southeast corner of Veterans Memorial Park (near the West Jordan Library), about one block south of West Jordan City Hall.
To contact the court, you can send a fax to (801) 233-9760, or call one of the following phone numbers:
- Main Line — (801) 233-9700
- Protective Orders — (801) 233-9740
As of December 2016, the following judges serve in West Jordan District Court, listed alphabetically:
- Judge Heather Brereton
- Judge James Gardner
- Judge L. Douglas Hogan
- Judge William Kendall
- Judge Bruce C. Lubeck
Charged with a Felony or Class A Misdemeanor? Contact a Utah Defense Lawyer
Class A misdemeanors and, to an even greater extent, felonies, are very serious crimes to be accused of committing. A conviction of a Class A misdemeanor could result in up to a year of jail time, in addition to thousands of dollars in fines. The maximum sentences for felonies in Utah range anywhere from five years for a third degree felony to life in prison for a first degree felony. Further, there can be considerable damage to your relationships and reputation. You could also lose some of your most cherished rights, such as gun ownership.
If you or a loved one has been charged with a Class A misdemeanor or felony in West Jordan, or if a family member has been arrested and is now in custody at a county jail or holding center, it is critical that you seek legal assistance immediately. For a free legal consultation with a West Jordan defense lawyer possessing more than 16 years of experience working on thousands of cases, call the law offices of Overson Law at (801) 758-2287.
