Proceeding on citation -- Voluntary payment of recommended fine amount -- Parent signature required -- Information, when required.
Utah Code § 77-7-21
in effect77-7-21. Proceeding on citation -- Voluntary payment of recommended fine amount -- Parent signature required -- Information, when required.
(1)
(a) A citation filed with the court may, with the consent of the defendant, serve in lieu of an information to which the defendant may plead guilty or no contest to the charge or charges listed and be sentenced accordingly.
(b) If provided by the uniform fine schedule described in Section 76-3-301.5, or with the court's approval, an individual may voluntarily pay the recommended fine amount and other penalties without a personal appearance before the court in any case charging a class B misdemeanor or lower offense, unless the charge is:
(i) a domestic violence offense as defined in Section 77-36-1;
(ii) a violation of Section 41-6a-502, driving under the influence of alcohol, drugs, or a combination of both or with specified or unsafe blood alcohol concentration;
(iii) a violation of Section 41-6a-517, driving with any measurable controlled substance in the body;
(iv) a violation of a local ordinance similar to the offenses described in Subsections (1)(b)(i) through (iii); or
(v) a violation that appears to:
(A) affect a victim, as defined in Section 77-38b-102; or
(B) require restitution, as defined in Section 77-38b-102.
(c) A defendant's voluntary payment of the recommended fine amount and other penalties shall be entered as a conviction and treated the same as if the accused pleaded no contest.
(d) If the person cited is under 18 years old, the court shall promptly mail a copy or notice of the citation to the address as shown on the citation, to the attention of the parent or guardian of the defendant.
(2) If the individual pleads not guilty to the offense charged, further proceedings shall be held in accordance with the Rules of Criminal Procedure and all other applicable provisions of this code.
Amended by Chapter 284, 2026 General Session
Source: Utah Office of Legislative Research and General Counsel (le.utah.gov)URL: https://le.utah.gov/xcode/Title77/Chapter7/77-7-S21.html?v=C77-7-S21_2026050620260506Fetched: 10/26/2026