Garfield County Arrest Record Lookup
Garfield County arrest records are managed by the sheriff's office in Panguitch, Utah. The Garfield County Sheriff handles all law enforcement duties across this large, rural county in southern Utah. Arrest records from Garfield County include booking data, charges, and inmate details from the county jail. If you need to search for arrest records tied to Garfield County, you can reach out to the sheriff directly or use Utah state databases. Public records laws in Utah give residents the right to request most arrest records through a simple written request.
Garfield County Sheriff and Jail
The Garfield County Sheriff's Office is based in Panguitch. It covers one of the largest counties in Utah by land area. The sheriff runs patrol, responds to calls, and operates the Garfield County Jail. Every person arrested in the county goes through booking at this jail. The arrest record is created during that process. It logs the person's name, charges, and other basic facts.
Garfield County is home to Bryce Canyon and draws many visitors each year. The sheriff handles calls that range from traffic stops to more serious offenses. Arrest records from Garfield County reflect this mix. Some involve locals, while others come from tourists or travelers passing through the area.
Garfield County complies with HB 228, which restricts the posting of mugshots online. This means you will not find booking photos on the sheriff's website. However, arrest records themselves are still public and can be obtained through a formal request to the Garfield County Sheriff's Office.
Requesting Garfield County Arrest Records
To get arrest records from Garfield County, start with a written request. Under GRAMA (Utah Code 63G-2), you have the right to ask for public records from any government office in Utah. Arrest records fall under the public category in most cases. The county has 10 business days to respond. The first 15 minutes of staff time for your search are free. After that, fees may apply at a rate of $20 to $25 per hour.
You should include the full name of the person and an approximate date range when you ask for Garfield County arrest records. This helps staff find the right file faster. If the record is sealed or tied to a juvenile case, the county will let you know it cannot be released.
The image below is from the Utah GRAMA statute page, which sets the rules for accessing public records like those in Garfield County.
GRAMA is the law that governs how Garfield County and all other Utah agencies handle public record requests, including arrest records.
Note: Garfield County does not post mugshots online due to compliance with Utah House Bill 228.
State Tools for Garfield County Records
Utah runs several databases that include Garfield County arrest records. The Bureau of Criminal Identification is the main one. BCI keeps criminal history files from all 29 Utah counties. A records check costs $15 and requires a valid photo ID. You can visit their Salt Lake City office or submit a request by mail. BCI records cover arrests, convictions, and dispositions across the state.
The Utah Courts XChange system is another helpful tool. It shows court records tied to arrests in Garfield County. You can search by name or case number. Document pages cost $0.10 each to view. The Sixth District Court handles cases from Garfield County, so records appear under that court's listings.
For inmates in state custody, the Utah Department of Corrections offender search provides details on current location, sentence, and projected release dates. If someone from Garfield County is in a state facility, their record is there.
What Garfield County Booking Records Show
Booking records in Garfield County capture data at the point of arrest. They are the first official record of an interaction with the criminal justice system. Here is what a standard booking record contains:
- Name, date of birth, and physical description
- Arrest date, time, and location
- Charges listed at the time of booking
- Bond or bail amount
- Name of the arresting officer
- Booking number assigned by the jail
These records are separate from court records. The booking record shows the arrest itself. Court records show what happened next. Together, they tell the full story of a criminal case in Garfield County. Under Utah Code 53-10-108, the state controls how criminal history data is distributed and who can access it.
Garfield County Victim Services
Victims of crimes in Garfield County can use the VINE notification system to track an inmate's status. VINE is free. It sends alerts when someone in custody is moved, released, or transferred. You can sign up with the offender's name or booking number. Alerts come by phone, text, or email at any hour.
This is useful in Garfield County where the jail is small and turnover can be quick. Knowing when someone is released gives victims time to plan. The system works for inmates in the Garfield County Jail and across Utah.
Below is a screenshot from the Utah Courts XChange portal, where you can search for court records tied to Garfield County arrests.
The XChange system lets you track what happens after a Garfield County arrest moves into the court system.
Note: VINE alerts are available around the clock for anyone tracking a Garfield County inmate.
Expungement of Garfield County Records
If you have an arrest on your record in Garfield County, Utah law may let you expunge it. The BCI expungement page outlines the steps. You first need a certificate of eligibility from BCI. Then you file a petition with the court. The Sixth District Court handles Garfield County cases. Waiting periods vary by charge type. Misdemeanors have shorter waits than felonies. Some serious offenses cannot be expunged at all.
Once a Garfield County arrest record is expunged, it is removed from public databases. It will not show up on standard background checks. The record still exists in a sealed form, but only certain agencies can access it after that point. Garfield County residents who want to clear an old arrest should check the current rules on the BCI site before starting, since Utah has updated its expungement laws in recent years. The process takes time, but it is worth it for those who qualify and want a clean record in Garfield County.
Nearby Counties
Garfield County is in southern Utah near several other counties. If the arrest you are searching for may have occurred nearby, check these links.