Utah County Faces Lawsuit on Gay Marriage Refusal

Some Utah counties are being told they could face consequences if they don't issue marriage licenses to same-sex couples.

At least four counties in the state are refusing to give gay couples a marriage license after a judge on Friday declared the state's gay marriage ban unconstitutional. One lesbian couple has already filed a lawsuit against a county.

Utah attorney general's office spokesman Ryan Bruckman says counties could be held in contempt of federal court if they don't issue licenses. He also says the office hasn't given any definitive legal guidance to clerks.

At the same time, the attorney general's office wants a higher court to halt the judge's ruling and stop gay marriage while they appeal.

At least 700 same-sex couples have married in Utah since the Friday ruling.