Utah Courts
URCRP Rule 7A (Rules of Criminal Procedure)
URCRP Rule 7A (Rules of Criminal Procedure)
Rule 7A. Procedures for arraignment on class B or C misdemeanors, or infractions.
(a) Initial appearance. At the defendant’s initial appearance, the court will inform the defendant:
(1) of the charge in the information, indictment, or citation and furnish a copy;
(2) of any affidavit or recorded testimony given in support of the information and how to obtain them;
(3) of the right to retain counsel or have counsel appointed by the court without expense if unable to obtain counsel;
(4) of rights concerning pretrial release; and
(5) that the defendant is not required to make any statement, and that any statement the defendant makes may be used against the defendant in a court of law.
(b) Right to counsel. If the defendant is present at the initial appearance without counsel, the court will determine if the defendant is capable of retaining the services of an attorney within a reasonable time. If the court determines the defendant has such resources, the court will allow the defendant a reasonable time and opportunity to retain and consult with counsel. If the court determines defendant is indigent, the court will appoint counsel pursuant to Rule 8, unless the defendant knowingly and intelligently waives such appointment.
(c) Release conditions.
(1) Except as provided in paragraph (d), the court must issue a pretrial status order pursuant to Utah Code section 77-20-205. Parties should be prepared to address this issue, including notice requirements under Utah Code section 77-37-3 and Utah Code section 77-38-3.
(2) A motion to modify the pretrial status order issued at initial appearance may be made by either party at any time upon notice to the opposing party sufficient to permit the opposing party to prepare for the hearing and to permit each alleged victim to be notified and be present.
(3) Subsequent motions to modify a pretrial status order may be made only upon a showing that there has been a material change in circumstances.
(4) A hearing on a motion to modify a pretrial status order may be held in conjunction with a preliminary hearing or any other pretrial hearing.
(d) Continuances. Upon application of either party and a showing of good cause, the court may allow up to a seven-day continuance of the initial appearance to allow for preparation, including notification to any victims. The court may allow more than seven days with the defendant’s consent.
(e) Entering a plea.
(1) If the defendant is prepared with counsel, or if the defendant waives the right to be represented by counsel, the court will call upon the defendant to enter a plea.
(2) If the plea is guilty, the court will sentence the defendant as provided by law.
(3) If the plea is not guilty, the court will set the matter for trial or a pretrial conference within a reasonable time. Such time should be no longer than 30 days from entry of the not guilty plea, if the defendant is in custody.
(4) The court may administratively enter a not guilty plea for the defendant. If the court has appointed counsel, the defendant does not desire to enter a plea, or for other good cause, the court will schedule a pretrial conference.
(f) Pretrial protective orders.
(1) At the time of case initiation or citation for any case, the agency that initiated the case must provide to the court all identifying information for the defendant and any protected person, including name, date of birth, sex, race, and any other available information.
(2) When a defendant is charged with an offense for which the court is statutorily required to determine the necessity of a pretrial protective order at the first appearance, the court will enter its findings and determination in writing, either issuing or denying the pretrial protective order.
(3) If the court issues a pretrial protective order at the first appearance for a qualifying offense, it will rely on the agency that initiated the case to provide all identifying information for the defendant and any protected person, including name, date of birth, sex, race, and any other available information. If the court issues a pretrial protective order at a later proceeding in any other case, the party requesting the pretrial protective order will provide this information to the court at the time of the request. The court will indicate in the order if any identifying information has not been provided and is therefore unknown.
(4) The court will specify the conditions of the pretrial protective order and any applicable expiration date.
(5) A court will consider victim input when granting, modifying, or dismissing pretrial protective orders.
| Empty Table |
|---|