Utah Courts Recent Press Notifications

Kanab, Utah — The next regularly scheduled meeting of Utah’s grand jury panel of judges will be on Thursday, January 13, 2022, at the Kane County Courthouse, located at 76 North Main Street, Kanab, UT 84741 (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 matter that are subject to criminal appeal will not be considered.

Due to the continuing public health concerns regarding COVID-19, individuals (including members of the panel of judges) may choose to appear at the meeting remotely using video conferencing software. Individuals who have arranged to testify will appear for individual appointments either: 

• at the courthouse, where panel staff will be present to facilitate the individual’s testimony to the panel of judges (including operating video conferencing software, if necessary); or
• from a location of the individual’s choosing using remote video conferencing software, the details of which will be communicated to the individual by panel staff. 

Those wanting to testify before the panel of judges should contact Keri Sargent, Assistant District Court Administrator, Administrative Office of the Courts, at (801) 238-7547 by Monday, January 3, 2022, 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 W. Brent West, 2nd District Court; Senior Judge Lynn W. Davis, 4th District Court; Judge Elizabeth Hruby-Mills, 3rd District Court; Judge Eric A. Ludlow, 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 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 http://legacy.utcourts.gov/cal/grandjury

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

Washington Terrace, UT—The Weber County Judicial Nominating Commission has scheduled a meeting on December 8, 2021 to review applications for a justice court judge position that will serve Washington Terrace, Utah. The position will replace Judge Patrick Lambert who retired in July. The Commission will begin the meeting at 7:00 a.m. The meeting will be held online through this meeting link:

https://utcourts.webex.com/utcourts/j.php?MTID=m813b7db2a340dfbfa83645f5bbc2eed4

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 7:00 a.m. to 7:30 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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Farr West, UT—The Weber County Nominating Commission has selected four nominees for a judicial vacancy that will serve Farr West, Utah. The position will replace Judge Patrick Lambert who retired in July.

Following is an alphabetical listing of nominees, their place of employment and residence:

• Michelle Jeffs, J.D., attorney at law, resident of Pleasant View,

• Darrin Johns, J.D., attorney at law, resident of North Ogden,

• Judge Bryan Memmott, J.D., Justice Court Judge for the Plain City Justice Court, the South Ogden Justice Court, the South Weber Justice Court, and the Woods Cross Justice Court, resident of Fruit Heights, and

• Judge Paul Olds, J.D., Justice Court Judge for the Riverdale Justice Court, resident of Pleasant View.

A comment period will be held through December 1, 2021. A final candidate will then be selected by the Farr West Mayor, Lee Dickemore, 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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Utah County, UT—The 4th District Court Commissioner Nominating Commission has selected  three nominees for a commissioner vacancy that will serve Juab County, Millard County, Utah  County and Wasatch County, Utah. The position will replace Commissioner Sean M. Petersen who was appointed to be a judge in the 4th District Court in August.

The following are the nominees along with their place of employment and residence:

• Jason Fida; Utah Legal Services; resident of Saratoga Springs, UT

• David Hunter; Hunter Law Mediation; resident of Provo, UT

• Marla Snow; MacArthur Heder and Metler; resident of Provo, UT

A public comment period will be held through Thursday, November 18, 2021. A final  candidate will then be selected by the judges of the 4th District Court bench. The selection must  then be approved by the Utah Judicial Council.

To submit written comments about the candidates, please contact Mark Urry, Trial Court  Executive, at marku@utcourts.gov.

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Cedar City, Utah — A panel of judges is scheduled to meet on Thursday, October 14, 2021, to hear testimony to determine whether good cause exists to call a grand jury. The meeting will take place at the Iron County Courthouse, located at 40 North 100 East, Cedar City, UT 84720.¹

Those wanting to testify before the panel of judges should contact Michael C. Drechsel, Assistant State Court Administrator, Administrative Office of the Courts, at (801) 578-3821 by Monday, October 4, 2021, at noon, to schedule an appointment and arrange to receive further specific instructions.  If no appointments are scheduled by that time, the meeting will be canceled without further notice.

Due to the continuing public health concerns regarding COVID-19, individuals (including members of the panel of judges) may choose to appear at the meeting remotely using video conferencing software. Individuals who have arranged to testify will appear for individual appointments either:

• at the courthouse, where panel staff will be present to facilitate the individual’s testimony to the panel of judges (including operating video conferencing software, if necessary); or
• from a location of the individual’s choosing using remote video conferencing software, the details of which will be communicated to the individual by panel staff.

The purpose of the hearing is to determine whether a grand jury should be summoned based upon evidence of criminal activity. Controversies between individual parties, civil matters, and matter that are subject to criminal appeal will not be considered. 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.

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. Any individual needing special accommodation during the hearing must notify panel staff at least three business days prior to the hearing.

The current members of the grand jury panel of judges are: Supervising Judge W. Brent West, 2nd District Court; Senior Judge Lynn W. Davis, 4th District Court; Judge Elizabeth Hruby-Mills, 3rd District Court; Judge Eric A. Ludlow, 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://legacy.utcourts.gov/cal/grandjury

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

Santaquin, Genola, and Goshen, UT—The Utah County Nominating Commission has selected four nominees for a judicial vacancy that will serve Santaquin, Genola and Goshen, Utah. The position will replace Judge Sharla Williams who passed away in November.
Following are the nominees followed by place of employment and residence:

• Shaynie Hunter, J.D., attorney at law, resident of Elk Ridge,
• Eric Jewell, J.D., attorney at law, resident of Payson,
• David “Jake” Summers, J.D., attorney at law, resident of Eagle Mountain, and
• Aaron Wise, J.D., attorney at law, resident of Spanish Fork.

A comment period will be held through June 7, 2021. A final candidate will then be selected by the Santaquin Mayor Kirk Hunsaker, Genola Mayor Marty Larson and Goshen Mayor Steven Staheli 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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Heber City, Utah — A panel of judges is scheduled to meet on Thursday, June 10, 2021, to hear testimony to determine whether good cause exists to call a grand jury. The meeting will take place at the Wasatch County Courthouse, 1361 South Highway 40, Ste. 110, Heber City, UT 84032.[i]

Those wanting to testify before the panel of judges should contact Michael C. Drechsel, Assistant State Court Administrator, Administrative Office of the Courts, at (801) 578-3821 by Tuesday, June 1, 2021, at noon, to schedule an appointment and arrange to receive further specific instructions. If no appointments are scheduled by that time, the meeting will be canceled without further notice.

Due to the continuing public health concerns regarding COVID-19, individuals (including members of the panel of judges) may choose to appear at the meeting remotely using video conferencing software. Individuals who have arranged to testify will appear for individual appointments either:

• at the courthouse, where panel staff will be present to facilitate the individual’s testimony to the panel of judges (including operating video conferencing software, if necessary); or

• from a location of the individual’s choosing using remote video conferencing software, the details of which will be communicated to the individual by panel staff.

The purpose of the hearing is to determine whether a grand jury should be summoned based upon evidence of criminal activity. Controversies between individual parties, civil matters, and matters that are subject to criminal appeal will not be considered. 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.

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. Any individual needing special accommodation during the hearing must notify panel staff at least three business days prior to the hearing.

The current members of the grand jury panel of judges are: Supervising Judge W. Brent West, 2nd District Court; Judge Lynn W. Davis, 4th District Court; Judge Elizabeth Hruby-Mills, 3rd District Court; Judge Eric A. Ludlow, 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 website or in the Utah Code.

[i] 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.

Salt Lake City, UT— The Utah Supreme Court voted unanimously last week to extend the term of the Utah legal regulatory Sandbox to seven years. The Sandbox allows entities to use new business structures and service models to provide legal services in Utah after going through a review and approval process.

The Sandbox was originally authorized for a period of two years, running from the end of August 2020 through the end of August 2022. The extension now means that the Sandbox will run through the end of August 2027, thereby providing a longer period in which the impact of the regulatory reforms may be felt. “The Court’s objectives for regulatory reform are significant and need sufficient time to truly work and create real change in the legal services market in Utah,” said Utah Supreme Court Chief Justice Matthew Durrant. “We have already seen innovations in legal services in the short two years. We are eager to see even more.” The Court has revised Standing Order No. 15 to reflect the extended Sandbox term.

The Sandbox, which is overseen by the Office of Legal Services Innovation, has garnered strong interest in the local and national legal services arena. The Office has received 47 applications to the Sandbox. The Court has authorized 26 entities to offer services. Services provided range across legal needs, including family law, end of life planning, and small-business needs. Entities include those with new business structures, including nonlawyer ownership and investment and joint ventures between lawyers and nonlawyers. Several entities have been authorized to use nonlawyer human or software providers of legal advice and assistance. All entities authorized in the Sandbox are required to submit regular reports on the services provided to the Office of Legal Services Innovation. The entities’ authorization is contingent upon data showing no evidence of significant consumer harm. To date, the Office has not observed evidence of consumer harm in the services being provided by the Sandbox. Further detail on the Office, including the most recent report on consumer risk issued by the Office, may be found at https://utahinnovationoffice.org.

Salt Lake City, UT— Utah Supreme Court Chief Justice Matthew B. Durrant announced today that Ron Gordon has been appointed as the new State Court Administrator for the Utah Judiciary, effective June 1, 2021.

“Mr. Gordon has been a proven asset and reliable legal leader for Utah. His wealth of knowledge and experience in the legal field and justice system will make him an ideal administrator for the courts,” said Utah Supreme Court Chief Justice Matthew B. Durrant.

Beginning in 2017, Gordon served as General Counsel for Governor Gary R. Herbert. He continued in that role under Governor Spencer J. Cox. He has also served as Executive Director of the Utah Commission on Criminal and Juvenile Justice from 2009 – 2017, and Director of the Utah Sentencing Commission from 2002 – 2005. He also served as coordinator for the Salt Lake County Justice Advisory Council.

Gordon received his Juris Doctor from the University of Utah College of Law in 1998, and bachelor’s degree in 1995.

“I am grateful to the Utah Supreme Court and the Judicial Council for this extraordinary opportunity,” Gordon said. “There is no better judicial system in the world, and I am honored to join the wonderful people in the Utah Judiciary.”

Gordon will replace Hon. Mary T. Noonan, who has served as State Court Administrator since December, 2018.

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Salt Lake City, UT—April, 2021 will mark the first year since the Utah Supreme Court’s passing of Utah’s legal regulatory “sandbox” reform, and it is already starting to reshape Utah’s legal landscape.

The Office of Legal Services Innovation provides a safe environment where nontraditional legal service providers can innovate. One of the first providers approved under the new office is Rocket Lawyer, which offers à la carte legal services at a competitive price.

“Rocket Lawyer has been instrumental in helping me navigate legal documents and other legal issues that come up,” said Jill Parkinson, an independent contractor who engaged Rocket Lawyer for a document review. “I sleep better at night knowing my contracts are sound.”

Another small business owner said being able to access legal help on demand is a great asset. “Knowing there is a team at Rocket Lawyer skilled in areas I’m not familiar with to help me with whatever might come up is invaluable so that I can focus on building my business.”

To date, the Office of Legal Services has approved 20 pilot proposals, which offer a wide variety of legal services, including online legal document preparation and criminal expungement assistance, just to name a couple.

Even pro-bono nonprofit legal organizations are able to propose new and creative ways to help those in desperate need of legal help.

The Timpanogos Legal Center provides free legal assistance to thousands of self-represented clients. The center submitted an application to the sandbox and was recently approved for a pilot that will allow domestic violence victim advocates to provide legal advice in helping victims fill out court forms for protective orders and stalking injunctions, and prepare victims for court.

“It is a thrilling opportunity to be in the first wave of programs that will open doors for Utahns in need to receive legal assistance,” said Susan Griffith, Executive Director of Timpanogos Legal Center. “I encourage other non-profits to study and strategize ways to use the opportunities created through the Regulatory Sandbox to benefit their communities.”

Utah’s legal regulatory sandbox has caught the attention of legal industries all over the world. Recently the Institute for the Advancement of the American Legal System (IAALS), based out of the University of Denver, announced that Utah Supreme Court Justice Deno Himonas, and Utah attorney John Lund are the 2021 recipient of its Rebuilding Justice Award for co-chairing the work group which led to the founding of the Office of Legal Services Innovation. The award recognizes innovation and leadership that helps to build a legal system that is accessible, fair, reliable, efficient, and accountable. Its first award recipient was U.S. Supreme Court Justice Sandra Day O’Connor.

“Justice Himonas and Mr. Lund have worked tirelessly to promote access to justice,” said Utah Supreme Court Chief Justice Matthew Durrant. “They are both deeply committed to finding innovative ways to get more legal services to more people. They are extraordinary leaders whose passion is contagious, and I’m deeply grateful for their dedication to this cause.”

“I’m really honored to have been named a co-recipient of the Rebuilding Justice Award along with John Lund, my colleague on this adventure,” said Justice Himonas. “But in truth and fairness, the award is shared with my colleagues on the Utah Supreme Court, who have been working so hard at improving access to justice for all Utahns, and to all of the members of the regulatory reform work group, implementation task force, and Office of Legal Services Innovation.”

“It is very humbling to be receiving this award along with Justice Himonas, especially in light of the list of incredible justice leaders who have been honored in prior years,” said John Lund. “Rebuilding justice is exactly what Utah’s sandbox is all about. The real reward has been seeing innovators come forward and construct new ways to deliver affordable and accessible legal services to those who so desperately need them.”

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