Click here for the UPC website

MISSION STATEMENT

The purpose of the organization [Utah Prosecution Council and the Statewide Association of Public Attorneys using their combined efforts] is to effectively and accurately represent and advocate the interests of public attorneys; to enhance and facilitate communication and coordination within the organization and with other entities; to provide quality, relevant training through full participation of all members with an exchange of information and experience; to coordinate programs among public attorneys to assist all members to better perform their duties.

GOALS ADOPTED IN FURTHERANCE OF THE MISSION STATEMENT

A. To be respected
Action Steps

• Strive to deliver a “quality product”
• Prosecutors’ offices should be staffed with experienced and well-trained staff members who receive appropriate compensation
• “Pick our battles” and pursue a consistent, statewide approach
• Take a more active part in the Utah State Bar

B. Facilitate communication
Action Steps

• Establish and maintain a brief bank; issue position papers stating the members’ positions on issues of concern to public attorneys; organize and maintain an ordinance and forms bank
• Create a computer network linking all offices
• Implement regional exchanges of information and assistance
• Facilitate professional and social interaction between public attorneys

C. Accurately and adequately represent and express the views of the members
Action Steps

• Actively pursue the legislative aims of the members; regularly meet with regional representatives chosen by members in the various regions of the state; disseminate position papers to other agencies, the press and the public; poll members from time to time to accurately determine their positions on various topics (consensus)
• Meet regularly with other law enforcement organizations; be proactive relative to other organizations–actively approaching them for purposes of establishing common grounds; join and associate with other organizations and groups
• Sponsor an annual legislative forum where public attorneys and associated public agencies can formulate a coordinated legislative strategy

D. Facilitate appropriate and timely training
Action Steps

• Actively seek out and use highly qualified training presenters
• Maintain the present “no tuition” policy at training conferences
• Organize regional training, thereby reducing members’ travel costs and time away from the office
• Do a training needs assessment of the members
• Require meaningful handouts from presenters

E. Facilitate member participation
Action Steps

• Positions to be decided by a vote of all members
• Pursue regular contact with less active members by officers, staff and by active members, thereby encouraging full participation by all members
• Ask members to serve on ad hoc committees
• Provide for and actively seek involvement from deputies and assistants
• Provide for regular rotation of leadership

SPECIAL INVESTIGATIONS AND PUBLIC CORRUPTION UNIT (SIPCU)

Tip Line: 801.281.1200

The mission of the Investigations Division is to identify, apprehend and prosecute violations of the criminal laws of the State of Utah and the United States through professional investigation of criminal complaints.

The Investigations Division may investigate the following:

• Complex white-collar and financial crimes
• Public corruption
• General fraud
• Child abuse and exploitation, which includes sex abuse, physical abuse, homicide and child pornography
• Cybercrime, internet fraud and identity theft
• Difficult crimes associated with closed societies
• Criminal environmental complaints
• Antitrust complaints
• Significant street crime, including homicide, aggravated assault, and sex crimes where a local authority requests our involvement

Attorney General Sean Reyes Urges Seniors to Beware of Scams

The Utah Attorney General’s Office prioritizes the protection of businesses and consumers, particularly Seniors, from white collar frauds and scams. Fraud schemes targeted at senior citizens vary in scope and scale and can come from trusted relationships or from unknown perpetrators across the country or even world. It is important to be on alert!

Fraud Target: Senior Citizens

The FBI has offered the following advice. More information can be found on the agency’s Common Fraud Schemes webpage. Here are tips on how to protect yourself or family from fraud. Senior Citizens especially should be aware of fraud schemes for the following reasons:

• Senior citizens are most likely to have a “nest egg,” to own their home, and/or to have excellent credit—all of which make them attractive to con artists.
• People who grew up in the 1930s, 1940s, and 1950s were generally raised to be polite and trusting. Con artists exploit these traits, knowing that it is difficult or impossible for these individuals to say “no” or just hang up the telephone.
• Older Americans are less likely to report a fraud because they don’t know who to report it to, are too ashamed at having been scammed, or don’t know they have been scammed. Elderly victims may not report crimes, for example, because they are concerned that relatives may think the victims no longer have the mental capacity to take care of their own financial affairs.
• When an elderly victim does report the crime, they often make poor witnesses. Con artists know the effects of age on memory, and they are counting on elderly victims not being able to supply enough detailed information to investigators. In addition, the victims’ realization that they have been swindled may take weeks—or more likely, months—after contact with the fraudster. This extended time frame makes it even more difficult to remember details from the events.
• Senior citizens are more interested in and susceptible to products promising increased cognitive function, virility, physical conditioning, anti-cancer properties, and so on. In a country where new cures and vaccinations for old diseases have given every American hope for a long and fruitful life, it is not so unbelievable that the con artists’ products can do what they claim.

Fraud Tip Line: 801.281.1200

Click here to join AARP Fraud Watch Network

UTAH DIVISION OF CONSUMER PROTECTION WEBSITE

PLPCO website

During the 2012 General Session, the Utah Legislature passed H.B. 148, “Transfer of Public Lands Act and Related Study,” in an effort to develop a new model for public land management and use. The study has now been completed. You can read more about it here.

R.S. 2477: Roads Litigation

R.S. 2477: Frequently Asked Questions

Members of the public who used the roads prior to 1976 (in some cases 1966) are urged to offer testimony by contacting local county officials or by emailing publiclands@utah.gov.

Utah’s Public Lands Policy Coordination Office (PLPCO) is part of the Governor’s office along with Commission on Criminal and Juvenile Justice, Office of the Governor’s Spouse, Office of Planning and Budget, and Utah Commission on Aging. We also staff Resource Development Coordinating Committee, which is a part of the Governor’s Office of Planning and Budget.

Development and Coordination of Policy Initiatives

• WE DEVELOP AND COORDINATE the State’s public lands policy initiatives. Check the Current Projects section to learn about our work on the Sage-Grouse Conservation Plan, studies related to the Transfer of Public Lands Act, and Oil Shale Development proposal.

Resource Development Coordinating Committee (RDCC)

• WE OVERSEE AND STAFF the Resource Development Coordinating Committee responsible for commenting on development and conservation proposals on Utah’s public lands. Check the RDCC current work on Endangered Species Act listings.

Constitutional Defense Council (CDC)

• WE PROVIDE RESEARCH AND ADMINISTRATIVE SUPPORT to the Constitutional Defense Council that advises the Governor and the Legislature on federal intrusion into matters reserved to the states.

Litigation

• WE DEFEND the State’s policies and interests on public lands by providing research, staff, and litigation support to the Attorney General’s Office. We are currently involved in the R.S. 2477 road cases, litigation against environmental groups’ challenge to the Bureau of Land Management’s Resource Management Plans, and rangeland health lawsuit WWP v. Pool.

Archaeology

• WE WORK TO PRESERVE thousands of archaeological sites located on Utah’s public lands. We coordinate preservation of our archaeological heritage with other state and federal agencies. We also issue permits to regulate proper survey and excavation of archeological resources.

State Planning Coordinator

• WE COOPERATE WITH THE STATE PLANNING COORDINATOR to develop policies, plans, programs, and processes related to the state planning coordinator’s duties. The state planning coordinator acts as the Governor’s adviser on state, regional, metropolitan, and local governmental planning matters relating to public improvements and land use. See Utah Code § 63J-4-401 for a complete list of duties.