FAQs

Guidance From a Utah Criminal Defense Attorney

When someone you care about is arrested, the experience is chaotic, frightening, and emotionally overwhelming. The following guide explains how the Utah jail and bail process works so you know what to expect and how to support your loved one.

Where Is My Loved One Being Taken?

In Utah, jails are operated at the county level, and individuals are taken to the jail corresponding to the city where they were arrested.

Examples of Arrest Locations and Jail Placement

• Arrests in Lehi, American Fork, Provo, Lindon, Pleasant Grove, or Orem → Utah County Jail (Spanish Fork)
• Arrests in Salt Lake City, West Valley, West Jordan, Sandy, Murray, Draper, Midvale, Taylorsville, Herriman, Bluffdale, South Jordan → Salt Lake County Metro Jail
• Arrests in Layton, Farmington, Syracuse, Clearfield, Kaysville, Bountiful, Woods Cross → Davis County Correctional Facility

Utah Inmate Search Links (SEO-Optimized for Visibility)

• Salt Lake County Inmate Search
• Utah County Inmate Search
• Davis County Inmate Roster

These links allow you to quickly confirm your loved one’s location and booking status.

What Is Jail? (Jail vs. Prison in Utah)

Although the terms are often confused:

• Jail is where people are held before trial or serve short sentences. After an arrest, your loved one will almost always go to jail.
• Prison is for individuals who have already been convicted and sentenced for longer-term incarceration.

Your loved one may remain in jail as long as the case is active, especially in more serious felony cases.

When Can My Loved One Be Bailed Out?

For many misdemeanor and non-violent felony charges, bail may be set within hours of arrest. You can check for bail updates through the jail’s online roster or by contacting the facility.

Offenses Commonly Released With No Bail

(Varies by county but often includes):

• DUI
• Simple assault
• Drug possession
• Public intoxication
• Disorderly conduct
• Misdemeanor theft
• Misdemeanor domestic violence
• Trespassing

Salt Lake County, Utah County, Davis County, and Cache County may release low-level offenders without requiring bail depending on risk assessments, the severity of charges, and jail population pressures.

How Long Does Jail Booking Take?

The booking process typically lasts 5–12 hours, depending on jail volume and staffing. During this time, the inmate is fingerprinted, photographed, medically screened, and classified before being moved to a housing unit.

Why Is It So Hard to Get Information?

The early stages of an arrest are extremely frustrating for families because accurate information is often hard to get. A major reason is that the criminal justice system involves multiple agencies, each with its own responsibilities, supervisors, and internal systems. These agencies do not communicate with one another in real time.

For example, if a Salt Lake City police officer arrests your loved one, a different officer—sometimes from a different unit—may transport them to the jail. Once they arrive, the Salt Lake County Sheriff’s Office takes over the entire booking process. The Sheriff’s Office is a completely separate agency from the Salt Lake City Police Department, with different supervisors, different databases, and different priorities.

After booking, it may take hours or even a day or more for the prosecutor’s office or the court to receive notice that someone is in custody. This delay is especially common after hours, on weekends, or on holidays. Until the prosecutor reviews the case, and until the court places it on a calendar, no one has firm information about charges, bail, or hearing dates.

This lack of coordination creates a chain of confusion:

• The arresting officer may tell you your loved one will be released soon—but the jail may be backed up and processing may take all night.
• When you call the jail, the operator may not find the inmate yet because the booking has not been entered into the system.
• The online inmate roster may not update for several hours.
• You may be told one set of charges, only to learn later that the prosecutor filed something different.
• You may be told bail is available, only to learn that a judge must first review the case.
• You may be told court will be “the next day,” only to find out the case won’t be heard until after the weekend—or after a holiday—depending on the court’s schedule.

It is also important to understand that jail phone operators only have access to the jail’s internal system, not the police system, the prosecutor’s system, or the court system. Depending on where your loved one is in the process, the operator may not know:

• what the charges are,
• whether bail will be allowed,
• whether the prosecutor has reviewed the case, or
• when a judge will see the inmate.

All of this understandably causes stress for families trying to get answers. Unfortunately, there is no amount of calling the jail, court clerk, or police department that can speed up the process. The best things you can do are:

• check the jail roster periodically,
• wait for your loved one’s call,
• avoid discussing case details on recorded calls, and
• contact a criminal defense attorney as early as possible.

How Do I Pay Bail?

Depending on the county, bail can typically be paid:

• Online
• By phone
• At the jail lobby (during posted hours)

Each jail lists accepted forms of payment on its website.

What Is a Bail Bond?

If you cannot afford full bail:

• A bail bondsman can post the full amount.
• You pay the bondsman a non-refundable fee (usually 10%; higher for out-of-state clients).
• The judge must authorize bond — it is not automatically allowed in every case.

Bail bonds are commonly used for higher bail amounts or felony cases.

Will I Get My Bail Money Back?

If you pay cash bail directly to the court:

• You can receive the money back after the case ends.
• The court may automatically apply bail toward fines, fees, or restitution.
• If someone other than the defendant posts bail, they must notify the court in writing to ensure the refund goes to them.

Refunds generally arrive by mail within a few weeks.

When Will My Loved One See a Judge?

This depends on how the charges arise:

If Arrested at the Scene

A probable cause statement is submitted, but formal charges may not yet be filed. Prosecutors have a short window to file charges. If they do not, the inmate may be released on a “no file.”

If Arrested on a Warrant

The charges are already filed, and your loved one will appear before a judge at the next available court session.

Court schedules vary significantly — some courts operate daily, others only once or twice a week.

What If No Bail Is Set?

Many felonies require a judge to review the case before setting bail. Your loved one must wait for the initial court appearance for the judge to decide:

• Whether bail is appropriate
• What the bail amount should be
• Whether release with conditions (instead of bail) is allowed

Waiting to see a judge is often the most frustrating part of the jail process.

When Will My Loved One Call Me?

After booking, inmates are usually allowed an initial phone call. This may take several hours.

Calls may be:

• Collect calls
• A short free courtesy call (depending on the jail)

Do NOT discuss case details on the phone. All jail calls are recorded.

Phone Calls, Video Visits & Messaging

(Varies by County)

Utah jails use third-party communications vendors:

• Salt Lake County Jail → ConnectNetwork / GTL
• Utah County Jail → Securus
• Cache County Jail → Securus
• Davis County Jail → NCIC Inmate Communications

Important reminders:

• You cannot call the inmate; they can only call out.
• Most services require you to create an online account and deposit funds. The inmate will also create his/her own account. You can deposit money into your loved one’s account.
• Inmates may use any cash they had at booking for initial phone access.

Visitation in Utah Jails

Visitation varies widely by county but generally includes:

Salt Lake County

• Limited in-person visitation
• Online video visitation through ConnectNetwork

Utah County

• Primarily video visitation
• In-person visits may be restricted based on housing and policy changes

Davis County

• On-site and remote video visitation
• Visits must be scheduled in advance through NCIC
• Strict ID and dress-code rules apply

All jails enforce professional standards and may deny visitation for rule violations.

Mail & Commissary

Most Utah jails allow inmates to receive:

• Letters on plain white paper
• Approved photographs (with content and quantity limitations)
• Books or magazines only if shipped directly from a publisher

Friends and family may deposit money into the inmate’s account for:

• Commissary items
• Phone calls
• Messaging services

Each jail’s website lists updated rules and restrictions.

How Much Does a Consultation Cost To Discuss My Case?

We offer free consultations. If you’d like to schedule a consultation then please give us a call at 801-264-6666. Or you can email us using the form below.

Who Pays for My Medical Bills in a Car Accident?

If the other party was at fault then they would be responsible for any of your medical bills. It is important that you contact us so that we can help you make the responsible party and/or their insurance company pay for your medical bills.

Need Help? Contact a Utah Criminal Defense Attorney

If your loved one has been arrested in Salt Lake County, Utah County, Davis County, or anywhere in Utah, early legal intervention can make a significant difference. Our firm can:

• Communicate directly with prosecutors
• Request expedited hearings
• Argue for reduced bail or release
• Protect your loved one’s rights at every stage

Contact us today for immediate assistance.