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Show New Circuit Court System takes effect here on July 1 A major change in Utah's judicial system will take effect July 1. In compliance with an act passed by the Utah Legislature, a new Circuit Court System will be established, with the state being divided into 12 circuits. The Twelfth Circuit covers Grand and San Juan counties. The primary pri-mary location will be in Moab. The primary locations loca-tions for the circuits are those cities where city courts had previously existed. ex-isted. City Judge Don Crist will continue as the new Circuit Court judge. One of the changes, that of an increased civil jurisdiction up to $5,000, is something of a subtle change. While , subtle, some authorities, including includ-ing Gov. Scott Matheson, expect a significant alteration alter-ation in the workload of the district court civil trials. Civil cases in district court have been increasing substantially, especially in the last 8 to 10 years. With the Circuit Court judges allowed to handle the increased jurisdiction, jur-isdiction, up from $2,500 under the city courts, many more cases can be expected to be filed with the Circuit Court. Filing fees for the Circuit Court will be half that needed for filing in District Court. Governor Matheson recently re-cently made reference to this change, and told state prosecutors that lawyers will find the Circuit Court system to be a good tool for them to use in the administration of justice in Utah. One of the major provisions of the new Circuit Courts is that every citizen of the state shall have access to a court operated by a law-trained law-trained judge. The new court system will provide.' courts of limited jurisdiction jurisdic-tion to replace city courts. The new court system serves the entire state and provides a record of its proceedings. MamUdning the record is a major change between the old Municipal Court structure and the new Circuit Court system. Making the Circuit Court a court of record eliminates the need for a trial de novo, which was a feature of the old court structure that had been attacked, from many legal fronts. Trial de novo enabled the defendant to have a second triasl, if he or she desired. Appeals from the new Circuit Courts to the District Courts will be from the record. The appeals judge will be required to listen only to that portion of the trial that is under question, ques-tion, i All the present City Courts are to become Circuit Court locations and court is to be held at regular times and places in each county in the state as need dictates. All former city judges will become circuit judges. Future judges are to b selected in the sam manner as in distric courts, but the circui court nominating commis sions will include Ioce officials. Circuit Courts will han die both state and loct laws. A local option can b exercised to use either th Circuit or Justice of th Peace Court. The J courts are not automatic ally abolished. One of th major features, not pre viously found in Utah' limited jurisdiction court is that the Circuit Com judges will be law trained as are District Com judges. |
