This bill addresses a court's determination of indigency.
This bill:
AI-generated summary, not yet reviewed by Better Utah staff. Please consult the bill text.
Utah courts currently decide whether someone is "indigent," or too poor to afford a lawyer, by weighing factors like income, debts, dependents, and the cost of defense. If passed, this bill would require courts to automatically presume that a person is indigent if they are currently incarcerated and their period of incarceration totals, or is expected to total, at least 10 consecutive days, meaning the court would not need to conduct the full financial review for these individuals. The existing rule barring indigency findings for people who intentionally gave away assets to qualify for free legal help would still apply, and courts would still be able to determine indigency at any time and rely on financial affidavits when relevant for those not covered by the new presumption.
Introduction
Jan 20
House Rules
Mar 5
House Committee
Jan 20
House Floor Vote
Senate Rules
Senate Committee
Senate 2nd Reading
Senate 3rd Reading
Governor
IntroductionJan 20
House RulesMar 5
House CommitteeJan 20
House Floor Vote
Senate Rules
Senate Committee
Senate 2nd Reading
Senate 3rd Reading
Governor
This bill addresses a court's determination of indigency.
This bill:
AI-generated summary, not yet reviewed by Better Utah staff. Please consult the bill text.
Utah courts currently decide whether someone is "indigent," or too poor to afford a lawyer, by weighing factors like income, debts, dependents, and the cost of defense. If passed, this bill would require courts to automatically presume that a person is indigent if they are currently incarcerated and their period of incarceration totals, or is expected to total, at least 10 consecutive days, meaning the court would not need to conduct the full financial review for these individuals. The existing rule barring indigency findings for people who intentionally gave away assets to qualify for free legal help would still apply, and courts would still be able to determine indigency at any time and rely on financial affidavits when relevant for those not covered by the new presumption.
House/ filed
House file for bills not passed
House/ strike enacting clause
Clerk of the House
House/ comm rpt/ sent to Rules
House Rules Committee
House Comm - Recommends Returned to Rules
House Judiciary Committee
House/ received fiscal note from Fiscal Analyst
House Judiciary Committee
Last updated Aug 29, 2026, 5:26 PM