(1)
(a) Under Article VIII, Section 1, Utah Constitution, there is created a court not of record known as the justice court.
(b) The judges of this court are justice court judges.
(2) A justice court is:
(a) a court of this state in accordance with Section 78A-1-101;
(b) a part of the state judiciary even though the justice court is funded and staffed by a municipality or county; and
(c) independent from the other branches of government for a municipality or county.
(3) A justice court may not be treated as part of the executive or legislative branches or offices of a municipality or county.
(4) A municipality or county may only operate a justice court as authorized by this chapter.
(5) Justice courts shall be divided into the following classes:
(a) Class I: 501 or more case filings per month;
(b) Class II: 201-500 case filings per month;
(c) Class III: 61-200 case filings per month; and
(d) Class IV: 60 or fewer case filings per month.