SALT LAKE CITY – The Administrative Office of the Courts is conducting a survey this summer to gauge the experience of people who are doing business with the Utah State Courts. The Access and Fairness Survey measures the public’s view and expectations of the courts.
“The court will use the data to ensure the courts are accessible and that individuals are being treated fairly by the court,” Utah State Court Administrator Dan Becker said. “Feedback from the public about the court’s performance will help us to provide better service.”
Survey specialists will administer the survey through June and July. Responses are collected for one day each at 38 court sites across the state. Every person at the courthouse that day is eligible to participate, except for court employees or those who are visiting an agency other than the court. The survey is administered as people leave the courthouse.
Past survey results have shown that the majority of respondents had a positive perception about their court visit, felt Utah’s courts were accessible and that court employees are respectful and responsive in working with the public.
Those results also identified areas where performance fell short of the public’s expectations. Respondents said they would like more information on the work of the courts and self-represented litigant resources. In addition, some court users reported dissatisfaction with the time needed to complete their courthouse visit. The courts have used such findings to increase the amount of information and type of services that are available on the court system website and expand self-help services.
How to participate
Southern Utahns may participate in the survey at their local courthouses on July 1, 2 and 3:
July 1 – Iron County Courthouse, Cedar City District Court, 40 North 100 East, Cedar City,
July 2 – Kane County Courthouse, 76 North Main Street, Kanab
July 2 – Washington County Courthouse, St. George District Court, 206 West Tabernacle, Suite 100, St. George
July 3 – Garfield County Courthouse, 55 South Main, Panguitch
For other courthouse locations in Utah, the schedule of the survey dates can be found here.
Submitted by: Utah State Courts
Email: [email protected]
Over 25 years I have seen considerable improvements in our Utah court systems especially in the refinement of procedures to make the process swifter and fairer. I also see judges treating people with more respect.