Author: Utah Courts

Salt Lake City, Utah — The Judicial Council is releasing the following statement regarding S.R.J. 10 Joint Resolution Amending Court Rules Regarding Jury Selection.

Jury service is a vital civic responsibility, and the integrity of that service depends on careful, thorough, and robust jury selection processes.  How jury selection is conducted directly affects the confidence that parties place in jury verdicts — making it essential that the processes be approached with deliberation and care.

During the 2026 legislative session, the method of jury selection — whether conducted in person or virtually — has been the subject of debate (see S.J.R. 10). Those discussions have made clear that any jury selection system must strike a balance among multiple interests: ensuring selection of a fair and impartial jury, respecting the interests of litigants in choosing how selection is conducted, minimizing unnecessary burdens on potential jurors, and administering efficient judicial operations.  That balance is especially critical in felony criminal proceedings, where the stakes for victims, the accused, and the public are most pronounced.

To that end, the Judicial Council will coordinate with the presiding judge in each judicial district to ensure that virtual jury selection (where used) is complemented by an equally effective, robust, and accessible in-person jury selection process for certain felony criminal cases.

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● Ask questions and connect directly with Judiciary representatives

Tooele County, Utah—The Judicial Nominating Commission for Tooele County has selected four nominees for a justice court judge position that will serve Tooele County, Utah. The final candidate will replace Judge John Dow who resigned last month.

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

• Matthew Brass, J.D., Attorney at Law, resident of Farmington,
• Wayne D. Jones, J.D., Attorney at Law, resident of Tooele,
• Richard Thorne Kennerley, J.D., Attorney at Law, resident of Orem, and
• Jaime Topham, J.D., Attorney at Law and Justice Court Judge in Grantsville, resident of Grantsville.

A comment period will be held through February 1, 2026. Once application materials are provided to Andy Welch, the Tooele County Manager, he will have 30 days to make a final selection. His decision must then be ratified by the Tooele County Council and certified by the Utah Judicial Council. 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 Judiciary invites Salt Lake County residents to attend a Court Connect town hall on Wednesday, January 14, 2026, from 6:00-8:00 p.m. at the Matheson Courthouse in Salt Lake City.

Court Connect is a statewide initiative aimed at strengthening public trust in the courts, expanding access to justice, and increasing awareness of court resources and services. This free, public event offers community members a chance to engage directly with Judiciary representatives in an informal, welcoming setting.

These town halls are designed to open doors and build stronger connections between the courts and the communities they serve. They offer the public an opportunity to learn more about the role of the Judiciary, how the courts operate, and how the judicial branch fits into the broader system of government.

What to Expect: 

Attendees will have the opportunity to:

● Better understand the role of the courts in Utah’s justice system

● Ask questions and connect directly with Judiciary representatives

● Discover how to access justice services, including self-help resources and online filing systems

● Learn about court resources available in their community

● Meet judges and court personnel in a less formal setting

These town halls mark the first step in an ongoing effort to create opportunities for the public and community partners to engage directly with the Judiciary. Court Connect events are open to everyone – individual community members, civic organizations, and anyone interested in learning more about Utah’s Judiciary.

Event Details: 

● What: Court Connect Town Hall

● When: Wednesday, January 14, 2026, 6:00-8:00 p.m.

● Where: Matheson Courthouse, 450 South State Street, Salt Lake City, UT 84111

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Heber City, Utah— The Utah Judiciary invites Wasatch County residents to attend a Court Connect town hall on Thursday, January 8, 2026, from 6:00-8:00 p.m. at the Wasatch County Courthouse in Heber.

Court Connect is a statewide initiative aimed at strengthening public trust in the courts, expanding access to justice, and increasing awareness of court resources and services. This free, public event offers community members a chance to engage directly with Judiciary representatives in an informal, welcoming setting.

These town halls are designed to open doors and build stronger connections between the courts and the communities they serve. They offer the public an opportunity to learn more about the role of the Judiciary, how the courts operate, and how the judicial branch fits into the broader system of government.

What to Expect: 

Attendees will have the opportunity to:

● Better understand the role of the courts in Utah’s justice system

● Ask questions and connect directly with Judiciary representatives

● Discover how to access justice services, including self-help resources and online filing systems

● Learn about court resources available in their community

● Meet judges and court personnel in a less formal setting

These town halls mark the first step in an ongoing effort to create opportunities for the public and community partners to engage directly with the Judiciary. Court Connect events are open to everyone – individual community members, civic organizations, and anyone interested in learning more about Utah’s Judiciary. No registration is required. 

Event Details: 

● What: Court Connect Town Hall

● When: Thursday, January 8, 2026, 6:00-8:00 p.m.

● Where: Wasatch County Courthouse, 1361 S. Highway 40, Heber City, UT 84032

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Tooele County, Utah—The Judicial Nominating Commission for Tooele County has scheduled a meeting on January 7, 2026 to review applications for a justice court judge position that will serve Tooele County, Utah. The position will replace Judge John M. Dow who resigned in December. The Commission will begin the meeting at 10:00 a.m. in the Tooele Courthouse, which is located at 74 South 100 East in Tooele, 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 10:15 a.m. to 10:30 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 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.

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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.