Utah Courts Recent Press Notifications

Kane County, Utah—The Kane County Judicial Nominating Commission has selected three nominees for a justice court judge position that will serve Kane County, Utah. The final candidate will replace Judge Gary Johnson who will retire in June.

Following is an alphabetical listing of the nominees followed by place of employment and residence:

• Barry E. Clarkson, J.D., Attorney at Law, resident of Santa Clara,
• William “Bill” Frazier, J.D., Attorney at Law, resident of St. George, and
• J. Shea Owens, J.D., Attorney at Law, resident of Panguitch.

A comment period will be held through May 12, 2025. Once application materials are provided to the county commission, it will have 30 days to make a final selection. To submit written comments about any of the candidates, please email James Peters, Justice Court Administrator, at jamesp@utcourts.gov.

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Vernal, Utah — The next regularly scheduled meeting of Utah’s grand jury panel of judges will be on Thursday, June 12, 2025, at the Vernal 8^th District Courthouse, located at 920 U.S. Hwy 40, Vernal, UT, 84078.¹

The purpose of the meeting is to hear testimony, if any, to determine whether a grand jury should be summoned based upon evidence of criminal activity. The panel of judges will hear, in secret, individuals claiming information that justifies calling a grand jury. Individuals appearing before the panel of judges will be placed under oath. An individual who testifies must be prepared to provide evidence to support a claim that justifies calling a grand jury. The Attorney General, a county attorney, district attorney, or special prosecutor appointed under U.C.A. section 77-10a-1 can also present evidence of criminal activity. Controversies between individual parties, civil matters, and matters that are subject to criminal appeal will not be considered.

Those wanting to testify before the panel of judges should contact Keri Sargent, Deputy District Court Administrator, Administrative Office of the Courts, at (801) 238-7547 by Monday, June 2, 2024, at noon, to schedule an appointment and arrange to receive further specific instructions.

Any individual needing special accommodation during the hearing must notify panel staff at least three business days prior to the hearing. If no appointments are scheduled by the appointed time, the meeting will be canceled without further notice.

The current members of the grand jury panel of judges are: Supervising Judge Elizabeth Hruby-Mills, 3rd District Court; Judge Roger Griffin, 4th District Court; Judge Blaine Rawson, 2nd District Court; Judge Matthew Bell, 5th District Court; and Judge Paul Parker, 3rd District Court. Additional information regarding the grand jury panel of judges is available at the Utah Court’s website² or in the Utah Code.³

1 Utah’s grand jury statute requires a panel of judges selected from throughout the state to hold a hearing in each judicial district every three years.

2 Grand Jury Schedule

3 77-10a-2. Panel of judges — Appointment — Membership — Ordering of grand jury

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Kane County, Utah—The Kane County Judicial Nominating Commission has scheduled a meeting on May 1, 2025 to review applications for a justice court judge position that will serve Kane County, Utah. The position will replace Judge Gary Johnson who will retire in June. The Commission will begin the meeting at 1:00 p.m. in the Kane County Administration Building, which is located at 76 North Main Street in Kanab, Utah.

The early portion of the meeting is scheduled for public comment about issues facing the Utah judiciary and improvements to the system. Public comments will be accepted from 2:00 p.m. to 2:15 p.m. Following the public comment period, the meeting will be closed to allow commission members to review applications for the vacancy.

Individuals interested in submitting oral or written commentary to the commission during the public comment portion of the meeting must contact Jim Peters at (801) 578-3824 or jamesp@utcourts.gov to request an appointment.

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Hyrum, Utah—The Hyrum Judicial Nominating Commission has selected four nominees for a justice court judge position that will serve Hyrum, Mendon, Paradise and Nibley, Utah. The final candidate will replace Judge Paul Larsen who will retire in June.

Following is an alphabetical listing of the nominees followed by place of employment and residence:

• Sean D. Brian, J.D., Attorney at Law, resident of Harrisville,
• Trevor L. Cook, J.D., Attorney at Law and Justice Court Judge in Rich County, resident of Nibley,
• Brody E. Flint, J.D., Attorney at Law, resident of Honeyville, and
• John Hulbert, J.D., Attorney at Law, resident of Hyrum.

A comment period will be held through April 26, 2025. Once application materials are provided to Stephanie Miller, the Hyrum City Mayor, she will have 30 days to make a final selection. Her selection must then be ratified by the Hyrum City Council. To submit written comments about any of the candidates, please email James Peters, Justice Court Administrator, at  jamesp@utcourts.gov.

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Ogden, Utah — The Second District Court Commissioner nominating committee submits the following names for public comment: Keith M. Backman, Jonathan L. Felt, and Brandon R. Richards.  Anyone wishing to make a comment regarding the following in relation to the potential appointment of the Domestic Relations Commissioner position may do so within the next ten (10) days by sending an email to glenp@utcourts.gov.

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Hyrum, Utah—The Hyrum Judicial Nominating Commission has scheduled a meeting on April 15, 2025 to review applications for a justice court judge position that will serve Hyrum, Utah. The position will replace Judge Paul Larsen who will retire in June. The Commission will begin the meeting at 9:00 a.m. in the Hyrum City Hall, which is located at 60 West Main Street in Hyrum, Utah.

The early portion of the meeting is scheduled for public comment about issues facing the Utah judiciary and improvements to the system. Public comments will be accepted from 9:30 a.m. to 9:45 a.m. Following the public comment period, the meeting will be closed to allow commission members to review applications for the vacancy.

Individuals interested in submitting oral or written commentary to the commission during the public comment portion of the meeting must contact Jim Peters at (801) 578-3824 or jamesp@utcourts.gov to request an appointment.

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Salt Lake City, Utah — The Third District Commissioner nominating committee submits the following names for public comment: Renee Blocher, Dustin Hardy, Aliisa Leon.  Anyone wishing to make a comment regarding the following in relation to the potential appointment of the Commissioner position may do so within the next 10 days by sending an email to markp@utcourts.gov.

Garland, Utah—Applications are being accepted for a part-time justice court judge position that will serve Garland, Utah. The successful candidate will replace Judge Kevin Christensen who has resigned his position.

To be considered for a justice court judgeship in Box Elder County, candidates must be at least 25 years of age, a citizen of the United States, a Utah resident for at least three years, and have a degree from a law school that would make one eligible to apply for admission to a bar in any state in the United States. In addition, applicants must be a resident of Box Elder County or an adjacent county either upon appointment or before taking the bench.

Information on judicial retention and performance evaluation is posted on the Utah State Court’s website at www.utcourts.gov under employment opportunities. An application for judicial office form must be completed and is available on the court’s website (https://legacy.utcourts.gov/admin/jobs). The salary range for the position is $9,209 to $11,840 per year and does not include benefits. For additional information about working for Garland, email Laurie Wise, Justice Court Clerk, at lauriew@utcourts.gov.

The deadline for applications is Friday, April 25, 2025 at 5:00 p.m. Applications cannot be submitted after the deadline. For questions about the justice courts or the process for filling this  position, email Jim Peters, Justice Court Administrator, at jamesp@utcourts.gov.

Utah law requires the Judicial Nominating Commission to submit at least three nominees to Linda Bourne, mayor of Garland, within 45 days of its first meeting. Mayor Bourne will then have 30 days in which to select a finalist. Her selection must then be ratified by the Garland City Council and certified by the Utah Judicial Council.

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Tremonton, Utah—Applications are being accepted for a part-time justice court judge position that will serve Tremonton, Utah. The successful candidate will replace Judge Kevin Christensen who has resigned his position.

To be considered for a justice court judgeship in Box Elder County, candidates must be at least 25 years of age, a citizen of the United States, a Utah resident for at least three years, and have a degree from a law school that would make one eligible to apply for admission to a bar in any state in the United States. In addition, applicants must be a resident of Box Elder County or an adjacent county either upon appointment or before taking the bench.

Information on judicial retention and performance evaluation is posted on the Utah State Court’s website at www.utcourts.gov under employment opportunities. An application for judicial office form must be completed and is available on the court’s website (https://legacy.utcourts.gov/admin/jobs). The salary range for the position is $27,625 to $35,518 per year and does not include benefits. For additional information about working for Tremonton, email Linsey Nessen, Assistant City Manager, at lnessen@tremontoncity.com or call her at (435) 257-9506.

The deadline for applications is Monday, April 21, 2025 at 5:00 p.m. Applications cannot be submitted after the deadline. For questions about the justice courts or the process for filling this position, email Jim Peters, Justice Court Administrator, at jamesp@utcourts.gov.

Utah law requires the Judicial Nominating Commission to submit at least three nominees to Lyle Holmgren, mayor of Tremonton, within 45 days of its first meeting. Mayor Holmgren will then have 30 days in which to select a finalist. His selection must then be ratified by the Tremonton City Council and certified by the Utah Judicial Council.

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