Utah Courts Recent Press Notifications

Salt Lake City, UT – The Utah Judicial Council is seeking public comment on two  court commissioners as required by Utah Code of Judicial Administration Rule 3-201. The commissioners are up for retention for a four-year term. Individuals who wish to comment on the court commissioners are encouraged, but not required, to provide their names and contact information. The comment period closes on June 14th.

The court commissioners up for retention and the email addresses to which comments should be sent are as follows:

Commissioner Catherine S. Conklin

Second District Court

Comments to GlenP@utcourts.gov

Christina Wilson

First and Second District

Comments to GlenP@utcourts.gov

Commissioner Joanna B. Sagers

Third District Court

Comments to Markp@utcourts.gov

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Farmington, Utah — The next regularly scheduled meeting of Utah’s grand jury panel of judges will be on Thursday, June 8, 2023, at the Farmington 2nd District Courthouse, located at 800 West State Street Farmington, UT. 840251 

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, Assistant District Court Administrator, Administrative Office of the Courts, at (435) 633-5549 by Monday, May 30, 2023, 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; Senior Judge Lynn W. Davis, 4th District Court; Judge Angela Fonnesbeck, 1st 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 http://www.utcourts.gov/cal/grandjury 

3 https://le.utah.gov/xcode/Title77/Chapter10A/77-10a-S2.html?v=C77-10a-S2_2018050820180508

SALT LAKE CITY, UT – The Utah Supreme Court’s Office of Legal Services Innovation, in partnership with Innovation 4 Justice (i4J), an access-to-justice lab associated with both the University of Arizona and the University of Utah, announce a groundbreaking project. The project aims to empower community-based organizations (CBOs) to provide free, reliable, limited-scope legal advice on housing issues to the people they serve by participating in the Court’s legal regulatory sandbox (the Sandbox).

Housing instability is a significant challenge in Utah and across the nation, and many people facing eviction and foreclosure have difficulty accessing legal help. The new Housing Stability Legal Advocate (HSLA) Pilot Program will train and certify nonlawyers working within CBOs as HSLAs, bridging the gap in access to justice for vulnerable populations.

i4J will offer a free HSLA curriculum and certify individuals who complete the program with satisfactory scores. Once certified, HSLAs will provide free, limited-scope legal advice on housing-related issues through CBOs authorized to practice in the Sandbox. i4J will also continue to support participating CBOs with legal mentoring and assistance in complying with the Sandbox’s regulatory requirements.

The Utah Supreme Court has issued a Standing Order authorizing the HSLA Pilot Program. This order allows i4J-certified HSLA providers and their CBO employers to operate within a safe harbor, protecting them from enforcement actions based on the unauthorized practice of law, provided they comply with the Standing Order, the regulatory requirements of the Office of Legal Services Innovation, and all other applicable state and federal statutes and regulations.

The HSLA Pilot Program will focus on four key areas:

● Issue spotting for housing stability issues during CBO client intake

● Providing legal advice and assistance with identified housing issues before they advance to court

● Providing legal advice and assistance with post-judgment procedures

● Providing legal advice and assistance related to other state and federal assistance programs

It is important to note that HSLAs are not authorized to represent others in any Utah state court at this time.

This innovative approach to addressing housing issues is a significant step forward in the Supreme Court’s efforts to bridge the access to-justice gap. By leveraging the expertise of CBOs and providing necessary training and support, the HSLA Pilot Program has the potential to make a real difference in the lives of those facing housing instability in Utah.

For more information about the Housing Stability Legal Advocate Pilot Program please visit https://www.innovation4justice.org.

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Sanpete County, UT—The Sanpete County Nominating Commission has selected three nominees for the judicial vacancy that will serve Sanpete County, Utah. The position will replace Judge John  R. Cox who retired in December, 2022.

Following are the nominees followed by place of employment and residence:

• Judge Barbara Finlinson, J.D., Juab County and Nephi City Justice Court Judge,  resident of Nephi,

• Judge Mark McIff, J.D., Judge in 12 other justice courts in the Sixth District, resident of  Richfield, and

• David Tibbs, J.D., retired attorney at law, resident of Manti.

A comment period will be held through March 19, 2023. A final candidate will then be  selected by the Sanpete County Commission within 30 days. The selection must then be  certified by the Utah Judicial Council. To submit written comments about the candidates,  please contact Amy Hernandez at amymh@utcourts.gov.

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Sanpete County, UT—The Sanpete County Judicial Nominating Commission has scheduled a meeting on March 8, 2023 to review applications for a justice court judge position that will serve Sanpete County, Utah. The position will replace Judge John R. Cox who retired in December of  2022. The Commission will begin the meeting at 12:00 p.m. The meeting will be held at the Sanpete County Courthouse (located at 160 N Main St #303, Manti, UT 84642).

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 12:00 p.m. to 12:30 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 appearing before the commission during the public comment portion of the meeting should contact Amy Hernandez at (801) 578-3809 or amymh@utcourts.gov to request an appointment.

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Salt Lake City, UT – The Utah State Courts mourn the passing of Judge Regnal Washington Garff, Jr. and thank him for his exemplary service to the people of Utah for many years.

Judge Garff passed away on February 25, 2023 at the age of 95. He was born in 1927 and was raised in Utah. He graduated from the University of Utah in 1955 with an LL.B. degree and acquired a Juris Doctor degree in 1967.

Judge Garff was a nationally recognized pioneer in the juvenile justice system. He was the first judge to begin working in the Utah juvenile court in 1959.  He served for a combined 34 years as a juvenile court judge in what is now the Third District Juvenile Court, and as a founding member of the Utah Court of Appeals, until his retirement in 1993. Judge Garff also served as the first Presiding Judge of the Utah Court of Appeals.

“Reg Garff was one of the finest human beings I have known. No wonder he was such a luminary on our juvenile court bench for so many years,” said Judge Gregory Orme, Utah Court of Appeals. “He was empathetic, generous with his time, flexible, humorous, and fair. We came to the Utah Court of Appeals together when the court was first established, 37 years ago. He was the oldest appointee; I was the youngest. We elected him to be our first presiding judge. His office was right next to mine, and we got along fabulously although he was old enough to be my father. We served together for six years before he retired, but we remained good friends throughout the decades that followed. He truly was one of the giants of the Utah judiciary.”

Judge Garff was honored as Outstanding Judge of the Year, 1976; S.J. Quinney College of Law Award, Honorary Order of the Coif, 1978; Outstanding Appellate Court Judge, 1989; and the University of Utah Merit of Honor Award, 1999.

Funeral services for Judge Garff are scheduled for Saturday, March 4 at 12:00 p.m.

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Santa Clara, UT—The Washington County Nominating Commission has selected four nominees for the judicial vacancy that will serve Santa Clara, Utah. The position will replace Judge Kenneth  Armstrong who retired in December, 2022.

Following are the nominees followed by place of employment and residence:

• William “Bill” Frazier, J.D., Attorney at law, resident of St. George,

• Judge K. Jake Graff, J.D., Hildale City Justice Court Judge and Washington City Justice  Court Judge, resident of St. George,

• Aaron Randall, J.D., Attorney at law, resident of St. George, and

• Judge Ronald Read, J.D., Orderville Justice Court Judge and Washington County Justice  Court Judge, resident of St. George.

A comment period will be held through February 23, 2023. A final candidate will then be  selected by the Santa Clara Mayor, Rick Rosenberg, within 30 days. The selection must then be certified by the Utah Judicial Council. To submit written comments about the candidates,  please contact Amy Hernandez at amymh@utcourts.gov.

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Emery County, UT—The Emery County Nominating Commission has selected three nominees for the judicial vacancy that will serve Emery County, Utah. The position will replace Judge Steven L. Stream who retired in July, 2022.

Following are the nominees followed by place of employment and residence:

• Judge Jon Carpenter, J.D., the Carbon County Justice Court Judge and the East Carbon  Justice Court Judge, resident of Price,

• Neal Peacock, Emery County School District, resident of Castle Dale, and

• Joshua Robertson, J.D., attorney at law, resident of Huntington.

A comment period will be held through February 16, 2023. A final candidate will then be selected by the Emery County Commission within 30 days. The selection must then be certified by the Utah Judicial Council. To submit written comments about the candidates,  please contact Amy Hernandez at amymh@utcourts.gov.

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Wayne County, UT—The Wayne County Nominating Commission has selected three nominees for the judicial vacancy that will serve Wayne County, Utah. The position will replace Judge Roy Brown who retired in December, 2022.

Following are the nominees followed by place of employment and residence:

• Donald Bone, Wayne County School District, resident of Loa,

• Judge Mark McIff, J.D., Judge in 11 other justice courts in the Sixth District, resident of  Richfield, and

• Jeffrey Owens, J.D., attorney at law, resident of Panguitch.

A comment period will be held through February 16, 2023. A final candidate will then be  selected by the Wayne County Commission within 30 days. The selection must then be  certified by the Utah Judicial Council. To submit written comments about the candidates,  please contact Amy Hernandez at amymh@utcourts.gov.

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Wayne County, UT—The Wayne County Judicial Nominating Commission has scheduled a  meeting on January 30, 2023 to review applications for a justice court judge position that will  serve Wayne County, Utah. The position will replace Judge Roy Brown who retired in December of 2022. The Commission will begin the meeting at 11:00 a.m. The meeting will be held at the Wayne County Courthouse (located on the first floor at 18 South Main in Loa, 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 11:00 a.m. to 11:30 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 appearing before the commission during the public comment portion of the meeting should contact Amy Hernandez at (801) 578-3809 or amymh@utcourts.gov to  request an appointment.

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