Month: September 2026

Posted: September 24, 2026

JUSTICE COURT JUDGE SELECTION MEETING PLANNED FOR OREM

Orem, Utah—The Judicial Nominating Commission for Orem City has scheduled a meeting on October 1, 2026 to review applications for a justice court judge position that will serve Orem, Utah.

The position will replace Judge Reed Parkin who will resign in December. The Commission will begin the meeting at 4:00 p.m. in Orem City Hall, which is located at 56 North State Street in Orem, 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 4:15 p.m. to 4:30 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 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.

# # #

Posted: September 21, 2026

JUSTICE JAY T. JORGENSEN CELEBRATED AT FORMAL INVESTITURE

Salt Lake City, Utah – Justice Jay T. Jorgensen was formally welcomed to the Utah Supreme Court during an investiture ceremony at the Scott M. Matheson Courthouse, bringing together state and federal leaders, members of the judiciary, colleagues, friends and family to celebrate his service on Utah’s highest court.

Justice Samuel A. Alito Jr. of the United States Supreme Court participated in the ceremony and administered the oath of office. Jorgensen clerked for Justice Alito more than 30 years ago, when Alito served as a judge on the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit.

“I knew 30 years ago, when he was my law clerk on the Court of Appeals, that this was a young man with an exceptional legal mind,” Justice Alito said. He praised Jorgensen for combining that legal ability with strong interpersonal skills and a deep sense of humanity.

“I don’t think anybody can be a truly good judge if that person is not also a good person,” Alito said. “What judges do at all levels affects ordinary people. A good judge has to keep that in mind at all times, and Jay has that skill.”

Jorgensen was joined by his wife, Melissa, who placed his judicial robe on him following the administration of the oath.

“I love Utah and the people of Utah who have been kind to me all my life,” Justice Jorgensen said. “I am grateful for this opportunity to give back to the state that has given me so much. I pledge to faithfully apply our state’s constitution and laws, and to serve to the best of my ability.”

During his remarks at the ceremony, Jorgensen also reflected on the people and experiences that shaped his life and legal career.

“The law has been more than a job to me. It’s been a calling,” Jorgensen said.

Judge Thomas B. Griffith, a retired judge of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the D.C. Circuit, and U.S. District Judge David Barlow also delivered remarks during the ceremony. Both reflected on their longtime relationships with Jorgensen and the qualities they believe he brings to the bench.

The ceremony was attended by Gov. Spencer J. Cox, Lt. Gov. Deidre Henderson, U.S. Sen. Mike Lee, Utah Attorney General Derek Brown, state and federal judges, members of the Utah Legislature and other leaders from Utah’s legal community.

Jorgensen was formally sworn in as a justice of the Utah Supreme Court on June 17, allowing him to immediately begin his work on the Court. The investiture ceremony served as the ceremonial recognition of his appointment and gave colleagues, friends and family an opportunity to mark the occasion.

Gov. Cox appointed Jorgensen to the Utah Supreme Court following the creation of additional seats on the Court during the 2026 legislative session. Prior to joining the Court, Jorgensen served as senior counsel in the Office of General Counsel for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. His career also includes service as general counsel, chief compliance officer and corporate secretary for Coupang, Inc.; executive vice president and global chief ethics and compliance officer for Walmart; and partner at Sidley Austin LLP. Earlier in his career, he clerked for Chief Justice William H. Rehnquist of the United States Supreme Court and then-Judge Alito on the Third Circuit.

# # #

Posted: September 14, 2026

JUDGES TO DETERMINE NEED FOR GRAND JURY – Heber City, Utah

Heber City, Utah — The next regularly scheduled meeting of Utah’s grand
jury panel of judges will be on Thursday, October 15, 2026, at the Heber
City 4th District Courthouse, located at 1361 US-40, Heber City, UT 84032. (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, October 5, 2026, 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; Vacant, 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 website (2) 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

Press Release October 15 2026

Posted: September 11, 2026

JUSTICE STEPHEN DENT TAKES OATH OF OFFICE

JUSTICE STEPHEN DENT TAKES OATH OF OFFICE

Salt Lake City, Utah – Justice Stephen P. Dent took the oath of office as a member of the Utah Supreme Court on Thursday, Sept. 10, 2026, during an investiture ceremony in the Supreme Court chambers at the Scott M. Matheson Courthouse.

Associate Chief Justice Jill M. Pohlman administered the ceremonial oath of office. Judge Scott M. Matheson, Jr. and Judge Robert J. Shelby, for whom Justice Dent served as a law clerk, spoke at the investiture ceremony.

“It is an honor to serve the people of Utah,” Justice Dent said. “I am grateful to Governor Cox for nominating me and to the Senate for confirming me. I am honored to serve alongside my colleagues on the Supreme Court. And I am committed to faithfully applying the law as an impartial judge.”

“Justice Dent brings an exceptional legal mind, a deep respect for the rule of law and a strong commitment to public service to the Utah Supreme Court,” Associate Chief Justice Pohlman said. “We are pleased to welcome him to the Court and look forward to serving alongside him as we carry out our responsibility to administer justice fairly and impartially for the people of Utah.”

Gov. Spencer J. Cox appointed Justice Dent to the Utah Supreme Court in June 2026, and the Utah Senate unanimously confirmed his appointment. On June 22, Justice Dent was sworn in and began his work on the court.

Prior to joining the Court, Justice Dent served as an Assistant United States Attorney in the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Utah, where he also served as Deputy Criminal Chief and Southern Utah Branch Chief. He previously practiced at Gibson, Dunn & Crutcher LLP and began his legal career as a judicial law clerk for the U.S. District Court for the District of Utah and the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Tenth Circuit.

Justice Dent earned a bachelor’s degree in political science from Brigham Young University and a law degree from the University of Utah S.J. Quinney College of Law, where he graduated first in his class, received the Dean’s Award, and served as editor-in-chief of the Utah Law Review.

Posted: September 9, 2026

JUSTICE COURT VACANCY ANNOUNCED FOR LEHI

JUSTICE COURT VACANCY ANNOUNCED FOR LEHI

Lehi, Utah—Applications are being accepted for a full-time justice court judge position that will serve Lehi, Utah. The successful candidate will replace Judge Morgan Cummings who will resign his position in October.

To be considered for a justice court judgeship in Utah 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 Utah County or an adjacent county either upon appointment or before taking the bench.

To be considered for this position, an application for judicial office must be completed online at justicecourtvacancies.utah.gov before the deadline. The salary range for the position is $147,886 to $190,139 per year and includes benefits. For additional information about working for Lehi, contact David Kitchen, the Human Resources Manager for Lehi, at (385) 201-2265 or dkitchen@lehiut.gov.

The deadline for applications is Friday, October 9, 2026, at 11:59 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 Mayor Paul Binns within 45 days of its first meeting. Mayor Binns will then have 30 days in which to select a finalist. His selection must then be ratified by the Lehi City Council and certified by the Utah Judicial Council.

Lehi Vacancy