Utah Courts Recent Press Notifications

Duchesne, UT — The next regularly scheduled meeting of Utah’s grand jury panel of judges will be on Thursday, October 13, 2022, at the Duchesne County Courthouse, located at 21554 West 9000 South, Duchesne UT 84021.¹

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, Assistant District Court Administrator, Administrative Office of the Courts, at (435) 633-5549 by Monday, October 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 Elizabeth Hruby-Mills, 3rd District Court; Senior Judge Lynn W. Davis, 4th District Court; Judge Angela Fonnesbeck, 1st 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

# # #

Salt Lake City, UT – On August 26, 2022, the Chief Justice, on behalf of the Judicial Council and the Supreme Court, issued a new Administrative Order terminating all previous COVID-19-Related Orders.

Throughout the pandemic, the judiciary has consistently focused on the safety of patrons and court personnel. Though risks of infection with COVID-19 still exist, those risks can be appropriately managed without statewide orders from the Judicial Council and Supreme Court.

IT IS HEREBY ORDERED:

The Administrative Order dated June 24, 2022 is terminated. All previously imposed COVID-19-related orders are terminated, including temporary rule modifications and community level instructions.

1. Individual districts and courthouses, as well as judges, commissioners, and court employees must work cooperatively with community partners to ensure a smooth transition from mandatory video appearances.
2. Individual districts and courthouses, as well as judges and commissioners, are encouraged to continue to use video appearances and hybrid court as appropriate and as determined by individual benches, judges, and commissioners.
3. An extension of a timeline ordered by the juvenile court in a child welfare, delinquency, or protective order proceeding pursuant to a prior administrative order will remain effective unless terminated by the court.
4. Benches and presiding judges may continue to implement procedures that best serve their locations.

# # #

Uintah-Huntsville, UT—The Weber County Nominating Commission has selected four nominees for a judicial vacancy that will serve Uintah and Huntsville, Utah. The position will replace Judge Patrick Lambert who retired in July of 2021.

Following are the nominees followed by 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, the Farr West Justice Court, the Pleasant View Justice Court, and the Washington Terrace Justice Court, resident of Pleasant View.

A comment period will be held through September 2, 2022. A final candidate will then be selected by Gordon Cutler, Uintah City Mayor, and Jim Truett, Huntsville Town Mayor, 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.

# # #

Herriman and Riverton, Utah—Applications are being accepted for justice court judge vacancies in both Herriman and Riverton, Utah. The vacancy in Herriman results from the resignation of Judge Paul Farr in April. The vacancy in Riverton results from the retirement of Judge Greg Bown in July. The cities may select one nominee to fill both vacancies or they may select a different nominee for each vacancy.

To be considered for a justice court judgeship in Salt Lake 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, candidates must be a resident of Salt Lake County or an adjacent county for at least six months immediately preceding appointment.

Information on judicial retention and performance evaluation is posted on the Utah State Court’s website at legacy.utcourts.gov under employment opportunities. An application for judicial office form must be completed and is available on the court’s website (legacy.utcourts.gov/admin/jobs). The salary range for each position, if appointed separately, is $37,040 to $66,672 per year for Herriman and $36,114 to $65,005 for Riverton City. If a single nominee is selected by both cities, the salary range will be $148,160 to $166,680 per year and will include benefits. For additional information, contact Tami Moody in Herriman at tmoody@herriman.org or David Brickey in Riverton at dbrickey@rivertonutah.gov

The deadline for applications is Monday, August 29, 2022 at 5 p.m. and should be sent to the attention of Amy Hernandez, Administrative Office of the Courts, P.O. Box 140241, Salt Lake City, UT, 84114-0241. For an application or information, email amymh@utcourts.gov.

Utah law requires the Judicial Nominating Commission to submit its nominees to Lorin Palmer, the mayor of Herriman, and Trent Staggs, the mayor of Riverton, within 45 days of its first meeting. Mayor Palmer and Mayor Staggs then have 30 days in which to make a selection. Once the selection is ratified by each of the city councils, it must then be certified by the Utah Judicial Council.

# # #

Uintah-Huntsville, UT—The Weber County Judicial Nominating Commission has scheduled a meeting on August 15, 2022 to review applications for a justice court judge position that will serve Uintah and Huntsville, Utah. The position will replace Judge Patrick Lambert who retired in July of 2021. The Commission will begin the meeting at 7:45 a.m. The meeting will be held virtually using the following link:

https://utcourts.webex.com/utcourts/j.php?MTID=mb7893b0714d6c40653d0cdca47e269b9

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 8:30 a.m. to 9:00 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.

# # #

Draper, UT—The Salt Lake County Nominating Commission has selected five nominees for a judicial vacancy that will serve Draper, Utah. The position will replace Judge Daniel Bertch who will resign his position in December.

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

• Judge Michael Boehm, J.D., Judge of South Jordan City Justice Court, resident of South Jordan,
• Matthew Brass, J.D., attorney at law, resident of Farmington,
• Kimberly Crandall, J.D., attorney at law, resident of Riverton,
• Lisa Garner, J.D., attorney at law, resident of Cottonwood Heights, and
• Judge George Vo-Duc, J.D., Judge of Midvale City Justice Court, resident of Bountiful.

A comment period will be held through August 20, 2022. A final candidate will then be selected by the mayor of Draper, Troy K. Walker, 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.

# # #

Springville and Mapleton, Utah—Applications are being accepted for a part-time justice court judge position that will serve Springville and Mapleton, Utah. The position will replace Judge Sherlynn Fenstermaker who will retire in December.

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, candidates must be a resident of Utah County or an adjacent county for at least six months immediately preceding appointment.

Information on judicial retention and performance evaluation is posted on the Utah State Court’s website at legacy.utcourts.gov under employment opportunities. An application for judicial office form must be completed and is available on the court’s website (legacy.utcourts.gov/admin/jobs). The workload for the position is currently calculated at 59% of a full-time justice court judge. The salary for the position will be $75,000 per year and includes benefits. For additional information, contact Troy Fitzgerald at tfitzgerald@springville.org.

The deadline for applications is Tuesday, August 30, 2022 at 5 p.m. and should be sent to the attention of Amy Hernandez, Administrative Office of the Courts, P.O. Box 140241, Salt Lake City, UT, 84114-0241. For an application or information, email amymh@utcourts.gov.

Utah law requires the Judicial Nominating Commission to submit three to five nominees to Matt Packard, the mayor of Springville, and Dallas Hakes, the mayor of Mapleton, within 45 days of its first meeting. Mayor Packard and Mayor Hakes will then have 30 days in which to make a selection. The selection must then be certified by the Utah Judicial Council.

# # #

Sanpete County, Utah—Applications are being accepted for a part-time justice court judge position that will serve Sanpete County. The position will replace Judge John R. Cox who will retire in December.

To be considered for a justice court judgeship in Sanpete 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 earned a high school diploma or GED. In addition, candidates must be a resident of Sanpete County or an adjacent county for at least six months immediately preceding appointment.

Information on judicial retention and performance evaluation is posted on the Utah State Court’s website at legacy.utcourts.gov under employment opportunities. An application for judicial office form must be completed and is available on the court’s website (legacy.utcourts.gov/admin/jobs). The salary range for the position is $17,594 to $31,669 per year. For additional information, contact Stacey Lyon at slyon@sanpetecountyutah.gov.

The deadline for applications is Monday, August 22, 2022 at 5 p.m. and should be sent to the attention of Amy Hernandez, Administrative Office of the Courts, P.O. Box 140241, Salt Lake City, UT, 84114-0241. For an application or information, email amymh@utcourts.gov.

Utah law requires the Judicial Nominating Commission to submit its nominees to the Sanpete County Commission within 45 days of its first meeting. The Sanpete County Commission will then have 30 days in which to make a selection. The selection must then be certified by the Utah Judicial Council.

# # #

Wayne County, Utah—The deadline for applications for a justice court judge position in Wayne County has been extended. The position will replace Judge Roy Brown who will retire in December.

To be considered for a justice court judgeship in Wayne 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 earned a high school diploma or GED. In addition, candidates must be a resident of Wayne County or an adjacent county for at least six months immediately preceding appointment.

Information on judicial retention and performance evaluation is posted on the Utah State Court’s website at legacy.utcourts.gov under employment opportunities. An application for judicial office form must be completed and is available on the court’s website (legacy.utcourts.gov/admin/jobs). The salary range for the position is $7,408 to $13,334 per year and includes benefits. For additional information, contact JaKelle Pace at jakellep@utcourts.gov.

The deadline for applications is Monday, Aug. 15, 2022 at 5 p.m. and should be sent to the attention of Amy Hernandez, Administrative Office of the Courts, P.O. Box 140241, Salt Lake City, UT, 84114-0241. For an application or information, email amymh@utcourts.gov.

Utah law requires the Judicial Nominating Commission to submit its nominees to the Wayne County Commission within 45 days of its first meeting. The Wayne County Commission will then have 30 days in which to make a selection. The selection must then be certified by the Utah Judicial Council.

# # #