This bill addresses the issuance of a summons.
This bill:
AI-generated summary, not yet reviewed by Better Utah staff. Please consult the bill text.
Utah law currently creates a presumption favoring a summons—a notice to appear in court—over an arrest warrant when someone was released from jail because prosecutors missed the deadline to file charges and then filed charges more than 60 days after release. This bill would extend that presumption to a new situation: when a magistrate releases the accused through a "temporary pretrial status order" and prosecutors wait more than seven days to file both charges and a supporting affidavit for an arrest warrant. The bill also expands what counts as a good-faith effort to serve a summons before a warrant can be issued instead, specifically including attempts to deliver the summons to the accused's known attorney or to obtain the accused's contact information from that attorney. Finally, it allows prosecutors to overcome the presumption against a warrant by presenting evidence that was not known to the magistrate at the time the accused was released from jail.
Introduction
Feb 17
Senate Rules
Senate Committee
Feb 24
Senate 2nd Reading
Mar 2
Senate 3rd Reading
Mar 3
House Rules
Mar 6
House Committee
Skipped
House Floor Vote
Mar 6
Governor
IntroductionFeb 17
Senate Rules
Senate CommitteeFeb 24
Senate 2nd ReadingMar 2
Senate 3rd ReadingMar 3
House RulesMar 6
House CommitteeSkipped
House Floor VoteMar 6
Governor
This bill addresses the issuance of a summons.
This bill:
AI-generated summary, not yet reviewed by Better Utah staff. Please consult the bill text.
Utah law currently creates a presumption favoring a summons—a notice to appear in court—over an arrest warrant when someone was released from jail because prosecutors missed the deadline to file charges and then filed charges more than 60 days after release. This bill would extend that presumption to a new situation: when a magistrate releases the accused through a "temporary pretrial status order" and prosecutors wait more than seven days to file both charges and a supporting affidavit for an arrest warrant. The bill also expands what counts as a good-faith effort to serve a summons before a warrant can be issued instead, specifically including attempts to deliver the summons to the accused's known attorney or to obtain the accused's contact information from that attorney. Finally, it allows prosecutors to overcome the presumption against a warrant by presenting evidence that was not known to the magistrate at the time the accused was released from jail.
Motion: Favorable Recommendation
Senate/ filed
Senate file for bills not passed
Senate/ received from House
Senate Secretary
House/ to Senate
Senate Secretary
House/ strike enacting clause
Clerk of the House
House/ 3rd Reading Calendar to Rules
House Rules Committee
Last updated Aug 29, 2026, 5:26 PM