Garfield County Criminal Court Records
Garfield County criminal court records are held by the Sixth District Court and are public under Utah law. Garfield County is a very rural county in southern Utah, home to the Bryce Canyon National Park area and the county seat of Panguitch. Searching Garfield County criminal court records can be done online through state tools or in person at the courthouse. This page explains how the court works, where to find arrest records, and how to use the GRAMA process to get copies of official records from this county.
Garfield County Quick Facts
Sixth District Court and Garfield County Criminal Records
The Sixth Judicial District Court manages criminal court records for Garfield County. The Sixth District covers Garfield, Kane, Piute, Sanpete, Sevier, and Wayne counties. All criminal cases in Garfield County are heard and filed at the Garfield County Courthouse in Panguitch, UT 84759. Court hours are Monday through Friday. For current contact details, check the Utah courts directory.
The Sixth District Court handles felonies, Class A misdemeanors, civil cases over $11,000, domestic relations cases, and probate in Garfield County. All proceedings are verbatim recorded, so the court file is a complete and authoritative record of what happened in each case. The clerk's office processes copy requests and can search by party name or case number. The Garfield County homepage at garfield.utah.gov provides county contact information and links to county offices including the clerk. Self-help resources for unrepresented parties are available at the courthouse and through the Utah court system website.
The Garfield County Justice Court handles lower-level matters including Class B and C misdemeanors, infractions, traffic violations, and small claims up to $11,000. These records are separate from Sixth District criminal case filings and are maintained by the justice court clerk.
Note: Garfield County is a large and very rural county. Call the courthouse ahead of your visit to confirm available hours and current staffing levels.
Searching Garfield County Criminal Court Records Online
The primary tool for finding Garfield County criminal court records online is Utah Courts XChange. XChange provides full docket access to all Sixth District cases, including those in Garfield County. A subscription costs $30 per month or $240 per year. Free public access terminals are available at the Panguitch courthouse for those who prefer not to subscribe. These terminals allow you to use XChange at no cost during courthouse business hours.
MyCase offers free basic case lookups for Garfield County criminal court records. You can search by name or case number to find party names, case status, and upcoming hearing dates. MyCase does not show full document images. For complete records, use XChange or visit the clerk's office in Panguitch.
Under Utah Code § 63G-2-201, most criminal court records in Garfield County are public. You do not need to be a party to a case. Some records such as juvenile files or sealed documents may be restricted. The clerk can tell you what is available in any specific Garfield County case.
Garfield County Sheriff and Arrest Records
The Garfield County Sheriff's GRAMA request page at gcutsheriff.com provides an online form and a downloadable PDF for submitting arrest and incident record requests.
The Garfield County Sheriff's Office is located at 375 North 700 West, Panguitch, UT 84759. You can reach the office by phone at (435) 676-2678 or by fax at (435) 676-1182. The sheriff's office processes GRAMA requests for arrest records, incident reports, and jail records in Garfield County. Office hours are Monday through Friday during business hours.
The Garfield County Sheriff GRAMA request form is available online at gcutsheriff.com. You can fill out the web form directly or download a PDF to submit by email or mail. Arrest records in Garfield County include booking dates, charges, and bond information. Incident reports include the date, location, and a narrative of the event. The sheriff has 10 business days to respond. Fees are detailed on the sheriff's website: black and white copies cost $10 for the first 1 to 10 pages and $0.25 for each page after that. Color copies are $0.50 per page. Video or DVD files are $25 each. Payment must be made before records are released, and the sheriff requires prepayment by cash, money order, or cashier's check. Photo ID is required to receive private records.
Note: Controlled records and records classified as protected are only released to the subject of the record. The sheriff's website explains which categories apply and what you must provide to request them.
GRAMA and Records Access in Garfield County
The Garfield County government homepage at garfield.utah.gov links to county offices and services, including records requests and GRAMA information for Garfield County residents.
Utah's Government Records Access and Management Act, Utah Code § 63G-2, gives the public the right to inspect and copy most records held by Garfield County offices. This covers Garfield County criminal court records, arrest logs, and official documents from county departments. You do not need to explain your reason for the request. Any person can submit a GRAMA request for public records in Garfield County.
For county-level records not held by the sheriff, contact the Garfield County Clerk at (435) 676-1100. The Recorder's Office number is (435) 676-1105. Requests can be submitted in person at the Garfield County Courthouse in Panguitch or by mail. The first 15 minutes of staff research time are free. Additional time may be charged. Fee waivers are available for qualifying individuals. A denial can be appealed to the Garfield County Commission or the District Court.
BCI Criminal History for Garfield County Residents
The Utah Bureau of Criminal Identification keeps the statewide criminal history database. Garfield County residents can request their own criminal history through BCI to see what records exist under their name across Utah. This record is not limited to Garfield County cases. It reflects all submissions from district courts, justice courts, and law enforcement agencies statewide.
BCI is located at 4315 S 2700 W, Suite 1300, Taylorsville, UT. The phone is 801-965-4445. A $20 fee applies to each criminal history request as of July 1, 2025. You can find forms and instructions at bci.utah.gov/criminal-records. This resource helps Garfield County residents review their own record, check for errors, or prepare for a legal matter involving their criminal history.
Note: The free Utah DOC offender search at corrections.utah.gov covers current and past inmates statewide and is another no-cost tool available to anyone researching criminal records tied to Garfield County.
Expungement in Garfield County
Two options exist for clearing a Garfield County criminal record. The first is the automatic expungement program under Utah's Clean Slate Act, HB 431, which has been active since February 2022. The state reviews eligible low-level convictions and seals them without any action needed from the individual. This covers Garfield County records along with those from every other Utah county. To see if your record may qualify, visit Clean Slate Utah.
The second option is a formal petition filed with the Sixth District Court in Panguitch. If your Garfield County criminal record does not qualify for automatic sealing, you can petition the court directly. You must meet specific waiting periods and eligibility rules set by Utah law. Once the court grants the expungement order, BCI processes the change in the statewide system. Forms and full instructions are at bci.utah.gov/expungements.
Nearby Counties
Garfield County borders several other southern Utah counties. If you are looking for criminal court records from a neighboring area, the links below will take you to the correct county page.