Month: December 2025

Ogden, Utah — The Utah State Courts will officially launch a new Veterans Court in the Second District Court on January 5, 2026. Veterans Court is a specialized program designed to support military veterans who become involved in the criminal justice system. It will serve residents of Weber, Davis, and Morgan counties.

Veterans Court is a problem-solving court that connects eligible veterans with treatment, mentoring, and support services while holding participants accountable through close judicial supervision. The program recognizes that some veterans face unique challenges related to military service, including post-traumatic stress, substance use disorders, and difficulties transitioning to civilian life.

Please join us for a news conference launching the start of Veterans Court in the Second District:

 Who:

Gov. Spencer Cox

Jennie Taylor, Veterans Advocate and Gold Star Widow

Judge Craig Hall, 2^nd District Court Judge

When:

Monday, January 5

10:00 a.m.

Where:

Ogden Second District Court

Courtroom 2D

2525 Grant Avenue, Ogden

The news conference will be followed by a reception. Media are invited to attend and speak with officials and possibly former participants about how Veterans Court works and the benefits it brings to Second District.

“This court is about accountability, treatment, and dignity,” said Judge Craig Hall. “Veterans Court allows us to address the underlying issues that may bring veterans into the justice system, while also honoring their service and helping them move forward in a productive way.”

Participants who qualify for Veterans Court will engage in a structured program that may include mental health treatment, substance abuse counseling, regular court appearances, and mentorship from fellow veterans. Successful completion can result in reduced charges or alternative sentencing, depending on the case.

Veterans Court programs already operate successfully in Utah’s Third and Fourth Districts but expanding the program to the Second District is especially important given the proximity to Hill Air Force Base and the significant veteran population it serves.

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San Juan County, Utah—The Judicial Nominating Commission for San Juan County has selected three nominees for a justice court judge position that will serve San Juan County, Utah. The final candidate will replace Judge Lyon Hazleton who will retire at the end of the year.

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

• Brittney Ivins, J.D., Attorney at Law, resident of Blanding,
• J. Shea Owens, J.D., Attorney at Law and Justice Court Judge in Kane County, resident  of Panguitch, and
• Stephen W. Whiting, Attorney at Law, resident of Vineyard.

A comment period will be held through December 28, 2025. Once application materials are  provided to the San Juan 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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Salt Lake City, Utah — The Utah State Courts previously announced the permanent closure of public parking at the Scott M. Matheson Courthouse parking garage, effective January 1, 2026. That closure date remains in effect for the general public.

Update: Public parking in the Matheson parking garage will close on January 1, 2026, as previously announced. However, the implementation date has been extended for court patrons with a valid disability placard or license plate. The closure date for such spaces will be announced at a later time.

Patrons displaying a valid disability placard or license plate may continue to use the parking garage after January 1, 2026. Those patrons should be aware that access will be subject to increased security screening and should plan additional time when traveling to the courthouse.

Court patrons without a valid disability placard or license plate are encouraged to plan ahead by reviewing alternative parking and transportation options when attending proceedings at the Matheson Courthouse.

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San Juan County, Utah—The Judicial Nominating Commission for San Juan County has
scheduled a meeting on December 17, 2025 to review applications for a justice court judge position that will serve San Juan County, Utah. The position will replace Judge Lyon Hazleton who will retire at the end of the year. The Commission will begin the meeting at 12:00 p.m. in the San Juan County Justice Courthouse, which is located at 297 South Main Street in Monticello, Utah.

The early portion of the meeting is scheduled for the public to comment about issues facing the Utah judiciary and improvements to the system. Public comments will be accepted from 12:30 p.m. to 12:45 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.

Ogden Utah — The next regularly scheduled meeting of Utah’s grand jury panel of judges will be on Thursday, January 8, 2026, at the Ogden 2nd District Courthouse, located at 2525 Grant Ave, Ogden, UT 84401.

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, December 29, 2025, 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 Matthew Bates, 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.

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