Article I

Name

Section 1: This program shall be sponsored by the Utah Prosecution Council "UPC" and shall be known as the Utah Prosecutorial Assistants Association or "UPAA"

Article II

Purpose

Section 1: The purpose of UPAA is to:

1. Enhance the quality of prosecution in the state.
2. Provide advice, resources and materials for training of governmental legal office and prosecution office support staff members.
3. Provide forum, opportunity and encouragement for interoffice and inter-jurisdictional exchange of ideas and information between legal staffs.
4. Provide information on prosecution and governmental law office procedures, policies, needs and systems in governmental legal offices.
5. Develop team sense for prosecution staff in the criminal process.
6. Provide input to the UPC on relevant proposed legislation.
7. Civil Procedures

Article III

Membership

Section 1: Membership in UPAA is open to all employees of a governmental legal office whether governmental employees or employees in the private office of a prosecutor, who are engaged in functions directly related to the prosecutorial function. These include:

1. Administrative assistants
2. Secretaries
3. Investigators
4. Victim's assistants
5. Other prosecutorial staff (non-attorney) personnel

Article IV

Training

Section 1: PURPOSE: UPAA will:

1. Assist in the development of training materials and seminars.
2. Provide a resource for seminar leaders and instructors.
3. Develop a certification program and standards to maintain an active certification for prosecutorial staff members.
4. Develop prosecutorial staff standards.

Section 2: TRAINING: UPAA will provide a minimum of one yearly six hour seminar and other regular seminars as deemed appropriate by the UPAA board.

Section 3: TOPICS: In providing training for prosecutorial staff, emphasis shall be placed upon the following topics:

1. Office procedures
2. Victim's assistance
3. File preparation/retention
4. Ethics
5. Criminal procedures
6. Other topics pertinent to prosecutorial offices

Section 4: EXPENDITURES: This association may charge fees to the participants for such seminars as is reasonably necessary to recoup all costs associated with providing this service.

Section 5: CERTIFICATES: UPAA shall establish procedures to keep records of attendance and provide certification of such to the members who participate in sponsored seminars.

Article V

Organization

Section 1: BOARD: The Board shall consist of nine members as follows:

• Chairperson
• Vice-Chairperson
• Seven Members

Section 2: : APPOINTMENT: When a position on the board becomes vacant (whether by resignation or the expiration of a term) the remaining board members shall make recommendations to the Prosecution Council for the appointment of a new member. Members of the Board shall be appointed by the Utah Prosecution Council and shall consist of a minimum of one representative from state, county and city prosecution offices from across the state.

Section 3: TERMS: Members of the Board shall serve four (4) years on a staggered or rotating basis. Chairperson’s term is three (3) years. Vice Chairperson’s term is for three (3) years.

Section 4: OFFICERS: A the end of the Chairperson’s term, the Vice-chairperson shall become the new Chairperson and the remaining members of the board shall elect a new Vice-chairperson. The new Chairperson’s term will begin January 1st of the new year. The Chairperson will serve for three years with the Vice-chairperson also serving three years. At all meetings where the Chairperson is not present the Vice-chair shall preside.

Section 5: RESIGNATION: : The Board may make a request or motion to have a board member resign by lack of cause or support. The Board also reserves the right to call for another board member’s resignation with a 2/3 majority vote.

Article VI

Amendments

Section 1: These Rules and By-Laws may be amended by the UPAA Board only so long as the amendments are not inconsistent with the mission and statutes governing the Utah Prosecution Council.

Section 2: Amendments must be approved by a two-thirds majority vote of all UPAA board members.

Article VII

Certification

Section 1: The Board shall establish procedures and standards certifying Prosecutorial Assistants.

Section 2: The Board shall establish procedures and standards to maintain an active certification for Prosecutorial Assistants.

AMENDED by a unanimous vote of the Utah Prosecutorial Assistants association this 9th day of November, 2017.

AMENDED by a unanimous vote of the Utah Prosecution Council this 5th day of January, 2018.