Utah Code Jud. Admin. 4-410

As amended through October 28, 2024

Rule 4-410 - Courthouse closure

Intent:

To establish protocols surrounding the closure of a court's physical building in the event that extreme weather or other emergency situation prevents the safe arrival to, or the ability to safely conduct business in, the courthouse.

Applicability:

This rule applies to courts of record and not of record.

Statement of the Rule:

(1) Definitions.

(1)(A) In courts of record:

(1)(A)(i) "Presiding judge" refers to the judge who presides over the district or court level.

(1)(A)(ii) "Court executive" refers to the trial court executive in the district and juvenile courts and the Appellate Court Administrator in the appellate courts.

(1)(B) In courts not of record:

(1)(B)(i) "Presiding judge" refers to the local justice court presiding judge, not the district level presiding judge.

(1)(B)(ii) "Court executive" refers to the local justice court administrator.

(2) In the event the presiding judge determines that a courthouse is not safe or is not capable of supporting the core mission of the court due to extreme weather conditions or other emergency situation, the presiding judge has the discretion to determine, in consultation with the court executive, court security, and authority responsible for the building's operation and maintenance, how to continue supporting the core mission of the court.

(3) The presiding judge(s) may order:

(3)(A) the time-limited partial closure of the courthouse;

(3)(B) the time-limited complete closure of the courthouse; or

(3)(C) the indefinite complete closure of the courthouse.

(4) If the presiding judge orders a complete or partial building closure that in any way affects the public's ability to conduct court business in that location,

(4)(A) the presiding judge may order that operations resume in an alternate location; and

(4)(B) the presiding judge shall ensure that notice is posted in at least two conspicuous places informing the public of:

(4)(B)(i) the building's physical closure;

(4)(B)(ii) the anticipated length of time the building will be closed; and

(4)(B)(iii) the procedures for conducting court business, including where cases will be heard and how to file court documents.

(5) Communication of decision to close the courthouse.

(5)(A) In courts of record, the presiding judge shall as soon as possible inform the State Court Administrator, the Chief Justice, the Court Communications Director, the Court Security Director, the Court Facilities Director, the Sheriff whose jurisdiction covers the affected courthouse, and the other organizations or lessees occupying the building of the presiding judge's decision to close the courthouse.

(5)(B) In courts not of record, the presiding judge shall as soon as possible inform the court executive, the Justice Court Administrator, the Court Communications Director, the Court Security Director, the law enforcement agency whose jurisdiction covers the affected courthouse, and the other building occupants of the presiding judge's decision to close the courthouse.

(6) The Court Communications Director shall immediately inform the media and public of the closure.

(7) If the presiding judge determines that there is a need to extend a court closure order, the presiding judge shall so order and the steps of paragraphs (1) through (4) shall repeat.

(8) For all courthouses that house more than one level of court, the presiding judges of each court level shall confer and come to a consensus decision regarding action pursuant to subsection (3) above.

(8)(A) In the event that a closure is ordered by consensus, the presiding judges of the closed courthouse shall all sign the closure order.

(8)(B) In the event there is not consensus among the presiding judges, the Chief Justice shall determine whether to issue and sign the closure order.

(9) Each presiding judge and the Administrative Office of the Courts shall retain a copy of the order.

Utah Code Jud. Admin. 4-410

Adopted effective 1/27/2020.