Utah Code Jud. Admin. 6-301

As amended through October 28, 2024

Rule 6-301 - Authority of court commissioner as magistrate

Intent:

To identify, as required by Utah Code Section 78A-5-107, the types of cases and matter commissioners are authorized to hear, to identify the types of relief and orders commissioners may recommend, and to establish procedures for timely judicial review of recommendations and orders made by court commissioners.

Applicability:

This rule shall apply to court commissioners acting as magistrate judges in criminal cases in the district courts.

Statement of the Rule:

(1)Types of cases and matters. All felony and misdemeanor cases filed in the district court in counties where court commissioners are appointed and serving in accordance with Rule 3-201.

(2)Duties of court commissioner. Under the general supervision of the presiding judge, a commissioner has the following duties:

(2)(A) To handle procedural aspects of criminal cases up to and including bind over; and

(2)(B) To conduct initial appearances, preliminary hearings, and other hearings consistent with applicable statutes and rules.

(3)Authority of court commissioner. Subject to the limitations outlined in this rule, court commissioners shall have the following authority:

(3)(A) All duties and responsibilities conferred upon magistrates by statute, the Rules of Criminal Procedure, and this rule;

(3)(B) Upon notice, to require the personal appearance of parties and their counsel at hearings before the commissioner or district court;

(3)(C) To conduct initial appearances in accordance with Rule 7 of the Utah Rules of Criminal Procedure;

(3)(D) To require defendants to disclose information necessary to ensure notice, compliance with pretrial release conditions, and appearance at court hearings;

(3)(E) To require defendants to make financial disclosures and complete forms necessary to determine indigency and appoint counsel;

(3)(F) To reassign cases in accordance with written policies of the district court;

(3)(G) To modify the terms of a temporary pretrial status order, subject to de novo review by the district court;

(3)(H) To enter pretrial protective orders, no contact orders, temporary civil protective orders, and stalking injunctions, subject to de novo review by the district court;

(3)(I) To recommend the issuance of arrest warrants based on probable cause or failure to appear;

(3)(J) To recommend the issuance of material witness warrants in accordance with Rule 7C of the Utah Rules of Criminal Procedure;

(3)(K) To conduct preliminary hearings in accordance with Rule 7B of the Utah Rules of Criminal Procedure;

(3)(L) To impose sanctions for contempt of court, subject to de novo review by the district court;

(3)(M) To issue temporary or ex parte orders, subject to de novo review by the district court;

(3)(N) To issue warrants and summonses in traffic cases;

(3)(O) To set fines in traffic cases; and

(3)(P) To make recommendations to the district court regarding any issue, including a recommendation for entry of final judgment.

(4)Dismissals. If a court commissioner dismisses a case at a preliminary hearing or other proceeding prior to bindover, the dismissal shall be without prejudice.

(5)Prohibitions.

(5)(A) Commissioners shall not make final adjudications or enter final, appealable orders.

(5)(B) Commissioners shall not serve as pro tempore judges in any matter, except as provided by Rule of the Supreme Court.

(5)(C) Commissioners shall not conduct trials, accept guilty pleas, or impose sentences, even with consent of all parties.

(6)Judicial review.

(6)(A) All orders made by a commissioner are subject to review by the district court pursuant to this rule, applicable rules of criminal procedure, or local rules. Review by the district court is de novo, neither party is required to show a change in circumstances, and no deference may be given to the commissioner's decision. Countersigning a recommendation by a commissioner does not constitute de novo review.

(6)(B) A recommendation or order of a court commissioner is the order of the court until modified by the court. A party may make an oral objection or file a written objection to the recommendation within 14 days after the recommendation is made in open court or, if the court commissioner takes the matter under advisement, within 14 days after the minute entry of the recommendation is served. A judge's counter-signature on the commissioner's recommendation does not affect the review of an objection.

(6)(C) The objection must be made in accordance with Rule 12 of the Utah Rules of Criminal Procedure and must identify succinctly and with particularity the findings of fact, the conclusions of law, or the part of the recommendation or order to which the objection is made and state the relief sought.

Utah Code Jud. Admin. 6-301

Amended effective 5/12/2020; amended effective 5/12/2020; amended November 20, 2023, effective 1/1/2024.