Utah County Public Defender Association

03/27/2025

Big News! Our growing office has moved to the Riverwoods! Thanks for your patience over the next few days as we get all settled in!

03/18/2025

It’s Public Defender Day!

Did you know that UCPDA is appointed on approximately 80% of the felony cases filed in Utah County, year after year?

On 3/18/1963, the US Supreme Court, in Gideon v. Wainwright, held that the 6th Amendment guarantees the right to counsel in all criminal cases, even for indigent defendants. UCPD’s lawyers are passionate advocates and we proudly fight to protect our clients’ rights.

So, say something nice to a public defender today! And make sure to tell your state and local elected officials that you support a robust and well-funded public defender office! 💪

02/10/2022

2/10/2022 - Clean Slate Law starts today!

“In 2019, Utah passed a new law that requires the government to automatically expunge certain types of misdemeanor criminal records. This means that if you have not been convicted of a crime in the last 5 to 7 years, all or part of your criminal record might be automatically expunged.”

Click the link for more information, or visit www.cleanslateutah.org for more information!

https://www.cleanslateutah.org/about

If you have a criminal record, you're not alone. It is estimated that 1 in 4 Utahns have some type of criminal record, preventing them from accessing jobs, housing, education, loans, and other opportunities.In 2019, Utah passed a new law that requires the government to automatically expunge certain....

07/29/2021

FYI - with the rise in Covid-19 cases, all court patrons and employees need to wear masks when inside court buildings. For now, most hearings will still be held via WebEx. Updates will be posted at www.Utcourts.gov

03/18/2021

Say something nice to your public defenders today! ⚖️💛

“The fundamental principles of equality and fairness cannot be fully realized under our justice systems without a well-resourced public defense system and prompt access to effective assistance of counsel,” Gov. Spencer J. Cox’s declaration states.

In Utah, over 80% of adult criminal defendants and 100% of minors facing juvenile court proceedings are eligible for court-appointed public defenders.

SALT LAKE CITY (March 18, 2021) — Gov. Spencer Cox’s commitment to ensure that “all Utahns have equal access to justice,” is reflected in his declaration of March 18th as Public Defense Day. This is a tribute to the momentous 1963 U.S. Supreme Court ruling in Gideon v. Wainwright, holding th...

02/26/2021

This expungement clinic is available to all Utah residents!

12/02/2020

Click here to see the Judges Lists of “Justice Certified” treatment providers in Utah.

If you are doing treatment for a court case, your provider should be “justice certified” by Utah to provide care to clients involved with the courts.

Justice Certification As a part of Utah’s Justice Reinvestment Initiative, the Department of Human Services/Division of Substance Abuse and Mental Health (DHS/DSAMH) is responsible for providing certification of behavioral health treatment programs in the state of Utah. The standards are mandatory...

11/06/2020

Utah’s next Expungement Day is coming up! If it’s been awhile and you’ve closed all your cases, you may qualify. Sign up here (by 11/8):

https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSdcQNVqZNdR2XJUlvzRAsXcl4pT1IjQeQmfjMK50Kr9ObgZ-g/viewform

10/29/2020

Clients - need help with Webex before your next online court hearing? Call our Webex Coordinator! 801-852-1070