The Federal Constitution and Utah State Constitution require that the powers of government be divided into three distinct departments. These three departments are known as the Judicial, Executive, and Legislative branches of government.
What is the function of each branch of government?
Legislative branch (House & Senate): creates the laws
The Legislature creates new laws each
year. The Legislature also decides how much money can be spent in our state. The
two leaders of the Legislature are the Speaker of the House and the Senate
President.
Executive branch (Governor): carries out and enforces
the laws
The governor is the head of the executive
branch and works with all the state agencies to make sure they carry out the
laws passed by the Legislature. For example, police in each law enforcement
agency warn, ticket, or arrest people who break the laws.
Judicial branch (Courts): interprets and applies the laws
Judges and attorneys tell us what the laws
mean. Judges make decisions that protect law-abiding citizens and punish those
individuals who break the law. Those who have broken the law may have certain
privileges taken away, be ordered to pay a fine, participate in rehabilitative
programs or community service, or may serve time in prison.