Criminal Appeals Division
The primary role of the Appeals Division is to ensure that convicted felons stay convicted. To this end, the division's 15 attorneys represent the State of Utah in all appeals statewide from felony convictions and adjudications of juvenile delinquency. They also represent Utah in all state and federal writs challenging inmates' criminal convictions.
The Appeals Division battles killers such as Ronnie Lee Gardner, Ron Lafferty, Troy Kell, and Michael Archuleta to see that their convictions and sentences remain in place. The John Albert Taylor and Joseph Mitchell Parsons executions were pushed to conclusion by this division.
In addition, the Appeals Division advises county prosecutors statewide on issues of criminal law and procedure, particularly in capital cases and cases presenting complex search and seizure issues.