Washington County is currently made up of 1,553,037 acres (2,426.62 square miles) in the southwest corner of Utah. About 25,000 acres are privately owned and about 66,000 acres are designated as wilderness areas. The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) controls about 635,000 acres in Washington County. Washington County is located in the very southwest corner of Utah.
In 1826, Jedediah Smith and his party passed through what is now Washington County. Smith and his men followed the Virgin River through the Virgin River Narrows and on to California.
In subsequent years, other explorers, trappers, and traders followed Smith’s route to California, including John C. Fremont, who mapped the area in 1844. In 1849, Brigham Young sent Parley P. Pratt and fifty men to explore the Virgin River Basin and to evaluate colonization possibilities. Elder Pratt was impressed and he encouraged future settlement. Within several years, Latter-day Saint Indian missionaries and farmers began settling the area. The county was formed on March 3, 1852 by an act of the territorial legislature. It was named for George Washington. Harmony, one of the only settlements in the area at that time, was appointed as the first county seat.
The first boundaries of Washington County stretched nearly 600 miles – the entire width of the territory. As the territory was settled the county boundaries changed several times and the county seat was later changed to St. George. The county achieved its present shape and size in 1892. By the mid-1850s, the reality of civil war hung over the United States. Brigham Young asked the Indian Missionaries in southern Utah to see if cotton could be grown in there. When they reported in the affirmative, President Young immediately made plans to colonize the Virgin River Basin. In 1857, the Samuel Adair and Robert Covington Companies were called to settle southern Utah and to grow cotton. Nearly 40 families, mostly with cotton growing experience, arrived in Washington Utah in April of 1857. The region was dubbed “Dixie”.
The town of Washington was made the seat of Washington County in 1859 by act of the Territorial Legislature. But on January 14, 1863, St. George was designated as the county seat and has remained so ever since.
Washington County UT Cities, Towns, & Neighborhood
• Neighborhood Apple Valley
• Dammeron Valley
• Enterprise
• Hildale
• Hurricane
• Ivins
• LaVerkin
• Leeds
• New Harmony
• Pine Valley
• Rockville
• Santa Clara
• Springdale
• Saint George
• Toquerville
• Veyo
• Virgin
• Washington
Other Populated Places in Washington County Utah
• Anderson Junction
• Atkinville
• Big Plain Junction
• Bloomington
• Bloomington Hills
• Grafton
• Gunlock
• Harrisburg
• Harrisburg Junction
• Middleton
• Motoqua
• Oak Creek Residential Area
• Pintura
• Shem
• Shivwits
• Shunesburg
• Silver Reef
• Southern Trailer Park
• Valley View Trailer Park
• Virgin Territory Trailer Park
• Watchman Residential Area
• Zion Lodge
Lawyers in Washington County Utah
Here are some of the areas of law that the attorneys at Ascent Law LLC practice for their clients in Washington County Utah:
Today, Washington County is one of the fastest growing areas of the country. People are migrating there now to enjoy the mild winter climate, beautiful scenery, and comfortable lifestyle. Washington County is growing rapidly in population. According to the census the population of Washington County was 48,560 while the population in the 2000 census was 90,354. The 2009 population estimate was 137,473, the census data will be released in February. Washington County’s economy is now based upon education, retail, health services, manufacturing, and tourism.
Thousands of people left their homes to come to Northern Utah to find a new life, and to live the religion of their choice. Arriving exhausted and ill, having hastily buried hundreds of loved ones along the way, they started their new lives. From this weary group, Brigham Young asked thirty-eight (38) families, all from the southern states, to travel to Southern Utah to grow cotton. These southerners were from Mississippi, Alabama, Virginia, Texas, Tennessee and the Carolinas.
This was the Cotton Mission, or sometimes called the Southern Mission. Washington City was the first town established in the Virgin basin for the purpose of colonizing the land so that cotton could be grown. “Grow cotton,” he challenged them, knowing that war between the North and South would soon erupt. Cotton would not be available for use by these Utah pioneers. This directive was given to people who had left the fertile South to make their trek to Utah. They knew how to grow cotton, or at least had seen it grown.
These families were the forerunners of what would become known as “Utah’s Dixie”– so named by these stalwart Southerners, who were no doubt homesick for the lives they had left behind. The name spread to the surrounding areas known as “Utah’s Dixie” today. On May 5 or 6 twenty-eight (28) more southern families came under the leadership of Robert D. Covington. He had actually been a plantation foreman that grew cotton when slaves were the workers. They met the Adair group at what is now called Adair Springs (122 N 200 E) And the next day they had a two-day conference with President Isaac C. Haight from Cedar City. They laid out the city and gave it the name of Washington after the first president of our country. They formed a branch of the LDS Church and named Covington as their leader. They also selected school trustees, constables, justices of the peace, and other positions to make the city function. The city must have been surveyed at this time since the streets are straight, wide, and at right angles to each other. The first year in Washington many lived in wagon boxes or dugouts that were dugouts on the hill on the east side of second East, known then as Adair Street.
They paid a high price to perform this service. Malaria was rampant, killing many and making others almost useless to perform manual work. Dysentery and typhoid fever were common, and more of the babies and youngsters died than survived. “Ague” was the name used to cover many an illness. Drinking water came from the same ditches that cattle rummaged in. Each morning between 6 am and 7 am water was dipped from the irrigation ditches for use in their homes. It was known as “dip” water. Food was scarce; they called it “the starving times.” Workers were malnourished and could hardly work a full day. In the midst of all this, men and boys dug ditches and canals. They pushed themselves to create dams so that the precious water could find its way to the fields they planted. “Surely,” they pleaded in their hearts, “our efforts will be blessed.”
Today, Washington City is a thriving city, and with the influx of retired people who have discovered it to be a very attractive and warm place to spend winters, the city has increased in size. It is one of the cities of Southern Utah that has exploded with new population growth in the past decade. Amenities have kept up with the growth. The City has a very challenging professional golf course that draws players from all over the West because of its design and difficulty. There are two beautiful parks in the city, one recently finished, for the use of its citizens. Other parks are on the drawing boards to insure the citizenry there will be adequate parks for families to enjoy.
A new city office building has been designed to fit the decor to the old city, and has recently been completed. A municipal swimming pool and ballparks are part of the amenities of the city. Many new homes have been constructed to supply the need for all persons. There are several organizations that help to promote year round activities. The Washington Chamber of Commerce, The Lions Club, The Sons and Daughters of the Utah Pioneers, Churches, Schools and others. The Washington City Historical Society functions in helping others to preserve their legacy and to find and save the history of the city and its early pioneers.
Summing up as quoted in the Today, Washington city continues to enjoy its reputation as a leading city in Washington County community were young families thrive, retired folks flourish and visitors return again and again to enjoy the mild weather, the friendly people, the awesome landscape and the peaceful lifestyle.”
Washington County Utah Court Directory
The Utah trial court system consists of District Courts, Juvenile Courts, and Justice Courts. Below is a directory of court locations in Washington County.
District Courts in Washington County
• 5th District Court – Washington County
206 West Tabernacles, Suite 100, St. George, UT 84770
Phone: 435-986-5700
Fax: 435-986-5723
Juvenile Courts in Washington County
• 5th District Juvenile Court – Washington County
206 West Tabernacles, Suite 125, St. George, UT 84770
Phone: 435-986-5730
Fax: 435-986-5723
Justice Courts in Washington County
• Enterprise Justice Court
Box 340, Enterprise, UT 84725
Phone: 435-878-2221
• Hildale Justice Court
320 East Newel Avenue, PO Box 840490, Hildale, UT 84784
Phone: 435-874-2323
Fax: 435-874-2603
• Hurricane City Justice Court
80 South 700 West, Hurricane, UT 84737
Phone: 435-635-4072
Fax: 435-635-5066
• Hurricane City Justice Court also serves the City of LaVerkin.
Santa Clara Justice Court
2603 Santa Clara Drive, Santa Clara, UT 84765
Phone: 435-673-6712 ext. 202
Fax: 435-879-5296
• Washington City Justice Court
111 North 100 East, Washington, UT 84780
Phone: 435-656-6350
Fax: 435-656-6372
• Washington County Justice Court
87 North 200 East, St. George, UT 84770
Phone: 435-634-5728
Fax: 435-656-3003
Pursuant to the laws of Washington County, an arrest warrant search can be done through more than one justice agency. Depending on the capacity in which you seek this information, you can avail the services of a UT government agency in the matter or approach a private entity that sells arrest records and data on warrants through its website.
For the former, you will have to be a representative of a law enforcement agency or at least part of the state justice department in some sense. Third party inquiries about active warrants from Washington County are only entertained from establishments that offer care in any way to kids, seniors and physically or mentally challenged adults. So, schools, hospitals, day care centers and senior care facilities are all allowed to seek information on the criminal past of a subject even if these establishments are privately owned. Similarly, agencies that operate in fiduciary funds or are associated with licensing can also conduct such searches.
Apart from this, information on outstanding warrants and arrest records can only be sought if this inquiry is personal. In other words, as an individual applicant, you can request a personal background check but you will not be offered details on arrests and crime history concerning others. The following agencies keep data on arrest warrants in the area:
• Law enforcement: 750 S 5400 West, Hurricane, Utah 84737
• Judiciary: 196 E Tabernacle St, St George, UT 84770
• County clerk: 87 North 200 East, Suite 101, St George, Utah 84770
Almost 1800 criminal complaints are received by the cops in Washington County, Utah every year. However, only 1200 of these are violent criminal acts. Of the 5 criminal complaints filed in the area per day, generally half take place when the victim is not more than a mile from his office or home.
The best way is to go to the city, state, county, or federal website where you think you might have a warrant. Each of these government websites will have a search function for people with outstanding warrants. One reason why going to these official government websites is the best option is because the information is kept up to date. Another reason why internet searches are the best is because internet searches are anonymous. Some sites will have a search function where you just type in your name and see if a warrant comes up. Other websites will have a link to click on that will bring up everyone who has a warrant out for their arrest in the area.
Washington County Attorney Free Consultation
When you need legal help in Washington County Utah, please call Ascent Law LLC for your free consultation (801) 676-5506. We can help you with Civil Law. Criminal Law. Bankruptcy. Family Law. Real Estate Law. Estate Planning, and so much more. We want to help you.
8833 S. Redwood Road, Suite C
West Jordan, Utah
84088 United States
Telephone: (801) 676-5506
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