Department of Criminal Justice
Created in 1983 and recodified in 2026, the Department of Criminal Justice (DOCJ) mission is to connect and collaborate with system partners on criminal and juvenile justice policy with the goal of reducing crime and delinquency in Utah. The Department gathers research and data, administers justice grants, and oversees stakeholder boards and commissions - including the Commission on Criminal and Juvenile Justice - to ensure current and proposed policies are based on sound data and input from all perspectives. The Department is staffed by various experts in their respective fields who assist the Department in fulfilling its duties, while leading and participating in more than 20 commissions, boards, and task forces across the justice system.
2026 Session Summary Report
This summary report serves to provide a general overview of legislation that may have a direct or ancillary impact on the criminal and juvenile justice system. Out of the 1,016 bills that were introduced in the 2026 General Legislative Session, the Department of Criminal Justice tracked 562 bills, which includes substituted bills, across all of the various commissions. There were 299 unique bills which represents 29% of all publicly numbered bills!
Asset Forfeiture 2025 Report
Juvenile Justice Spatial Project
