UtahUtah city attorneys may use deputies, and courts may lower convictions for timely help
Since May 6, 2026, Utah city attorneys may use deputy lawyers, and a court may lower a conviction after timely help in another criminal case if the prosecutor joins the request.
What it does
City attorneys may employ deputies for prosecution or civil counsel work. They may also temporarily deputize a qualified Utah lawyer for a limited time or purpose.
A court may lower a conviction when a defendant gives substantial help in another person’s criminal case within one year after sentencing. The defendant and prosecutor must jointly ask, and the court must find the reduction serves justice and public safety.
Argument forA defendant who gives useful, reliable help in another criminal case could seek a lower conviction if the prosecutor joins the request and the court agrees.
Argument againstVictims might feel a lower conviction gives too little weight to the harm they suffered, even though the court must consider that harm and victim input.
More detail
A city attorney may employ a deputy attorney for public prosecutor or civil counsel duties. This applies in cities that have a city attorney. A city attorney may also deputize a lawyer licensed in Utah and in good standing with the Utah State Bar for a limited time or purpose. These provisions took effect May 6, 2026.
A court may enter a conviction for a lower degree of offense after a defendant provides substantial help in another person’s criminal case within one year after sentencing. The defendant must help with the criminal investigation, arrest, or prosecution of another person. The defendant and prosecuting attorney must jointly ask for the reduction. The court must find that the reduction serves justice and public safety. It considers the usefulness and reliability of the help, its extent and timing, any risks to the defendant or family, and other relevant factors. The moving party must provide evidence that the requirements are met. The other party must receive notice, prosecutors must make reasonable efforts to notify victims, and a hearing is held if either party requests one. The defendant must provide the help within one year after sentencing. This provision took effect May 6, 2026.
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Where it stands
- Introduced
- Passed Senate
- Passed House
- To Governor
- Became Law
Looking ahead
No hearings or votes scheduled.
History
- 2026
- Mar 24Governor Spencer Cox SignedBecame Law
- Mar 13Senate/ to GovernorTo Governor
- Mar 13Senate/ received enrolled bill from PrintingMinor
- Mar 12Senate/ enrolled bill to Printing
- Mar 12Enrolled Bill Returned to House or SenateMinor
- Mar 11Draft of Enrolled Bill Prepared
- Mar 11Bill Received from Senate for EnrollingMinor
- Mar 11Senate/ signed by President/ sent for enrollingMajor
- Mar 11Senate/ received from HouseMinor
- Mar 7House/ to Senate
- Vote recorded Senate/ concurs with House amendment. Result: pass.Upper
- Vote recorded House/ passed 3rd reading. Result: pass.Lower
- Mar 7House/ signed by Speaker/ returned to SenateMajor
- Mar 7House/ received from SenateMinor
- Mar 7Senate/ to House
- Mar 7Senate/ concurs with House amendmentMajor
- Mar 7Senate/ placed on Concurrence Calendar
- Mar 7Senate/ received from HouseMinor
- Mar 7House/ to Senate
- Mar 7House/ passed 3rd readingPassed House
- Mar 7House/ substituted
- Mar 7House/ 3rd readingMinor
- Mar 7LFA/ fiscal note publicly available for SB0184S02
- Mar 7LFA/ fiscal note sent to sponsor for SB0184S02
- Mar 7LFA/ bill sent to agencies for fiscal input for SB0184S02
- Mar 7LFA/ bill assigned to staff for fiscal analysis for SB0184S02
- Mar 6House/ Rules to 3rd Reading Calendar
- Mar 4House/ 3rd Reading Calendar to Rules [House Rules Committee]Minor
- Mar 4House/ 2nd readingMinor
- Mar 4House/ comm rpt/ amended [House Judiciary Committee]Major
- Mar 3House Comm - Favorable Recommendation [House Judiciary Committee]Minor
- Mar 3House Comm - Amendment Recommendation [House Judiciary Committee]Minor
- Mar 3House Comm - Amendment Recommendation [House Judiciary Committee]Minor
- Mar 2House Comm - Held [House Judiciary Committee]
- Feb 24House/ to standing committee [House Judiciary Committee]Minor
- Feb 23House/ 1st reading (Introduced)Minor
- Vote recorded Senate/ passed 3rd reading. Result: pass.Upper
- Feb 23House/ received from SenateMinor
- Feb 23Senate/ to House
- Feb 23Senate/ passed 3rd readingPassed Senate
- Feb 23Senate/ 3rd readingMinor
- Feb 20Senate/ passed 2nd readingMinor
- Vote recorded Senate/ passed 2nd reading. Result: pass.Upper
- Feb 20Senate/ substituted
- Feb 20Senate/ 2nd readingMinor
- Feb 5LFA/ fiscal note publicly available for SB0184S01
- Feb 2Senate/ placed on 2nd Reading Calendar
- Feb 2Senate/ committee report favorable [Senate Judiciary, Law Enforcement, and Criminal Justice Committee]Minor
- Feb 1LFA/ fiscal note sent to sponsor for SB0184S01
- Jan 30Senate Comm - Favorable Recommendation [Senate Judiciary, Law Enforcement, and Criminal Justice Committee]Minor
- Jan 30LFA/ bill sent to agencies for fiscal input for SB0184S01
- Jan 30LFA/ bill assigned to staff for fiscal analysis for SB0184S01
- Jan 29Senate/ received fiscal note from Fiscal AnalystMinor
- Jan 29LFA/ fiscal note publicly available for SB0184
- Jan 29LFA/ fiscal note publicly available for SB0184
- Jan 29LFA/ fiscal note sent to sponsor for SB0184
- Jan 27Senate/ to standing committee [Senate Judiciary, Law Enforcement, and Criminal Justice Committee]Minor
- Jan 23Senate/ 1st reading (Introduced)Minor
- Jan 23Senate/ received bill from Legislative ResearchMinor
- Jan 22LFA/ bill sent to agencies for fiscal input for SB0184
- Jan 22LFA/ bill assigned to staff for fiscal analysis for SB0184
- Jan 22Numbered Bill Publicly Distributed
- Jan 22Bill Numbered but not DistributedIntroduced
Criminal Justice