The Administrative Office of the Courts surveys attorneys about judges up for retention.
The following information was provided by the Administrative Office of the Courts, 230 South 500 East, Suite 300, Salt Lake City, Utah 84102. It is reproduced here with permission.
The office of judge is unique in our society. A judge is a public servant holding an office of high public trust and so should answer to the public. However, the obligation of a judge is to resolve disputes impartially and to base decisions solely upon the facts of the case and the law. A judge, therefore, should be insulated from public pressure.
Merit selection of judges was developed as an alternative to requiring judges to run in contested elections. The revised Judicial Article of the Utah Constitution, effective July 1, 1985, established merit selection as the exclusive method of choosing a state court judge. As stated in the Utah Constitution: "Selection of judges shall be based solely upon consideration of fitness for office without regard to any partisan political consideration."
There are four steps in the Utah merit selection plan: nomination, appointment, confirmation and retention election. The nomination of judges is by a committee of lawyers and non-lawyers selected by the Governor. The judicial nominating commission nominates between three and five of the best qualified candidates from among all applicants. The Governor appoints one of the nominees, who then must be confirmed by a majority of the Utah State Senate.
Under the Utah Constitution, judges must stand for retention election at the end of each term of office. The public has the opportunity to vote whether to retain the judge for another term. Before a judge stands for retention election, he or she is evaluated by the Judicial Council. The Judicial Council is established by the Utah Constitution as the policy making body for the judicial branch of government and is required by its own rules and by statute to evaluate the performance of all judges. As a result of the evaluation, the Judicial Council certifies whether the judge is qualified for retention election. All of the judges standing for retention election in the 1996 general election have been certified as qualified for retention. The results of individual evaluations are published in this voter information pamphlet.
The judicial performance evaluation program is required by statute and developed by rule of the Judicial Council. The purpose of the program is two-fold:
The evaluation of each judge's performance is conducted every two years regardless of whether the judge is standing for retention election. An independent surveyor conducts a poll of lawyers appearing before each judge and asks the lawyer to anonymously evaluate the judge based on several criteria. Prior to the close of a judge's term of office, the Judicial Council reviews the results of the attorney poll and other standards of performance and determines whether the judge is qualified for retention.
The following judges have been certified by the Judicial Council as qualified for retention election:
(Information provided elsewhere.)
Appellate and Trial Court Judges
A random sample of attorneys appearing before each judge was asked to rate the judge as "excellent", "more than adequate", "adequate", "less than adequate", and "inadequate" on the following questions. A satisfactory response is "excellent", "more than adequate", or "adequate". To be certified the judge must receive a 70% satisfactory response rate to at least 75% of the following questions and an overall satisfactory response rate of at least 70%.
Attorney Survey Questions for Judges of the Court of Appeals
Attorney Survey Questions for District and Juvenile Court Judges
(Note: All judges up for retention were identified with the following information:)
1. Judicial District | 2. Counties Served | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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3. Judge | 4. Judge/Court Mailing Address | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
5. 1994 Judicial Education Hours | 6. 1995 Judicial Education Hours | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
7. Administrative Office of the Courts Survey Answers | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
1. Utah Court of Appeals | 2. All | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
3. Russell W. Bench | 4. Utah Court of Appeals 230 South 500 East, Suite 400 Salt Lake City UT, 84102- 578-3900 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
5. 1994: 65.00 | 6. 1995: 45.00 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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1. Utah Court of Appeals | 2. All | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
3. Judith M. Billings | 4. Utah Court of Appeals 230 South 500 East, Suite 400 Salt Lake City UT, 84102- 578-3900 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
5. 1994: 47.00 | 6. 1995: 52.00 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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1. Utah Court of Appeals | 2. All | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
3. James Z. Davis Associate Presiding Judge |
4. Utah Court of Appeals 230 South 500 East, Suite 400 Salt Lake City UT, 84102- 578-3900 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
5. 1994: 73.00 | 6. 1995: 38.50 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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1. Utah Court of Appeals | 2. All | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
3. Pamela T. Greenwood | 4. Utah Court of Appeals 230 South 500 East, Suite 400 Salt Lake City UT, 84102- 578-3900 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
5. 1994: 55.00 | 6. 1995: 47.50 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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1. Utah Court of Appeals | 2. All | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
3. Norman H. Jackson | 4. Utah Court of Appeals 230 South 500 East, Suite 400 Salt Lake City UT, 84102- 578-3900 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
5. 1994: 63.00 | 6. 1995: 84.00 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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1. Utah Court of Appeals | 2. All | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
3. Gregory K. Orme Presiding Judge |
4. Utah Court of Appeals 230 South 500 East, Suite 400 Salt Lake City UT, 84102- 578-3900 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
5. 1994: 45.00 | 6. 1995: 41.00 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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1. First Judicial District | 2. Box Elder, Cache, Rich | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
3. Gordon J. Low Presiding Judge |
4. First District Court Cache County Hall of Justice 140 North 100 West Logan UT, 84321- 753-7951 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
5. 1994: 35.00 | 6. 1995: 65.00 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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1. First Judicial District | 2. Box Elder, Cache, Rich | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
3. Ben H. Hadfield | 4. First District Court PO Box 873 Brigham City UT, 84302-0873 734-4600 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
5. 1994: 67.00 | 6. 1995: 71.50 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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1. Second Judicial District | 2. Davis, Morgan, Weber | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
3. Parley R. Baldwin | 4. Second Circuit Court 2549 Washington Blvd., 8th Floor Ogden UT, 84401- 629-8350 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
5. 1994: 30.00 | 6. 1995: 30.00 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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1. Second Judicial District | 2. Davis, Morgan, Weber | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
3. Michael J. Glasmann | 4. Second District Court 2549 Washington Blvd. Ogden UT, 84401- 399-8368 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
5. 1994: 30.00 | 6. 1995: 30.00 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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1. Second Judicial District | 2. Davis, Morgan, Weber | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
3. Michael D. Lyon | 4. Second District Court 2549 Washington Blvd. Ogden UT, 84401- 399-8405 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
5. 1994: 51.00 | 6. 1995: 45.25 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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1. Second Judicial District | 2. Davis, Morgan, Weber | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
3. Jon M. Memmott Presiding Judge |
4. Second District Court PO Box 769 Farmington UT, 84025- 451-4410 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
5. 1994: 60.00 | 6. 1995: 37.00 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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1. Third Judicial District | 2. Salt Lake, Summit, Tooele | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
3. Dennis M. Fuchs | 4. Third Circuit Court 451 South 200 East Salt Lake City UT, 84111- 533-3900 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
5. 1994: 57.00 | 6. 1995: 110.00 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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1. Third Judicial District | 2. Salt Lake, Summit, Tooele | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
3. Michael L. Hutchings | 4. Third Circuit Court 451 South 200 East Salt Lake City UT, 84111- 533-3900 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
5. 1994: 61.00 | 6. 1995: 53.50 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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1. Third Judicial District | 2. Salt Lake, Summit, Tooele | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
3. Robin W. Reese Presiding Judge |
4. Third Circuit Court 451 South 200 East Salt Lake City UT, 84111- 533-3900 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
5. 1994: 30.50 | 6. 1995: 33.50 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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1. Third Judicial District | 2. Salt Lake, Summit, Tooele | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
3. Michael K. Burton | 4. Third Circuit Court 5022 South State Murray UT, 84107- 261-3450 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
5. 1994: 67.00 | 6. 1995: 64.00 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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1. Third Judicial District | 2. Salt Lake, Summit, Tooele | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
3. William B. Bohling | 4. Third District Court 240 East 400 South Salt Lake City UT, 84111- 535-5363 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
5. 1994: 141.00 | 6. 1995: 82.75 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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1. Third Judicial District | 2. Salt Lake, Summit, Tooele | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
3. Glenn K. Iwasaki | 4. Third District Court 240 East 400 South Salt Lake City UT, 84111- 535-5174 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
5. 1994: 59.50 | 6. 1995: 39.00 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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1. Third Judicial District | 2. Salt Lake, Summit, Tooele | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
3. Tyrone E. Medley | 4. Third District Court 240 East 400 South Salt Lake City UT, 84111- 535-5471 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
5. 1994: 83.00 | 6. 1995: 53.00 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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1. Third Judicial District | 2. Salt Lake, Summit, Tooele | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
3. Homer F. Wilkinson | 4. Third District Court 240 East 400 South Salt Lake City UT, 84111- 535-5477 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
5. 1994: 70.00 | 6. 1995: 56.50 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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1. Third Judicial District | 2. Salt Lake, Summit, Tooele | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
3. David S. Young | 4. Third District Court 240 East 400 South Salt Lake City UT, 84111- 535-5480 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
5. 1994: 86.00 | 6. 1995: 53.50 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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1. Third Judicial District | 2. Salt Lake, Summit, Tooele | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
3. Pat B. Brian | 4. Third District Court 451 South 200 East Salt Lake City UT, 84111- 535-5450 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
5. 1994: 46.00 | 6. 1995: 50.00 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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1. Third Judicial District | 2. Salt Lake, Summit, Tooele | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
3. Frank G. Noel | 4. Third District Court 451 South 200 East Salt Lake City UT, 84111- 535-5459 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
5. 1994: 52.00 | 6. 1995: 32.00 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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1. Third Judicial District | 2. Salt Lake, Summit, Tooele | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
3. Olof A. Johansson Presiding Judge |
4. Third District Juvenile Court 210 West 10000 South Sandy UT, 84070- 565-5752 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
5. 1994: 46.00 | 6. 1995: 51.00 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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1. Third Judicial District | 2. Salt Lake, Summit, Tooele | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
3. Andrew A. Valdez | 4. Third District Juvenile Court 3522 South 700 West Salt Lake City UT, 84119- 265-5900 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
5. 1994: 30.00 | 6. 1995: 33.00 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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1. Fourth Judicial District | 2. Juab, Millard, Utah, Wasatch | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
3. John C. Backlund Presiding Judge |
4. Fourth Circuit Court 98 North Center Street American Fork UT, 84003- 756-9654 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
5. 1994: 53.00 | 6. 1995: 37.75 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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1. Fourth Judicial District | 2. Juab, Millard, Utah, Wasatch | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
3. Guy R. Burningham | 4. Fourth District Court PO Box 1847 Provo UT, 84603- 429-1062 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
5. 1994: 46.00 | 6. 1995: 61.00 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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1. Fourth Judicial District | 2. Juab, Millard, Utah, Wasatch | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
3. Lynn W. Davis | 4. Fourth District Court PO Box 1847 Provo UT, 84603- 429-1063 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
5. 1994: 80.00 | 6. 1995: 62.00 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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1. Fourth Judicial District | 2. Juab, Millard, Utah, Wasatch | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
3. Steven L. Hansen | 4. Fourth District Court PO Box 1847 Provo UT, 84603- 429-1008 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
5. 1994: 72.50 | 6. 1995: 66.00 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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1. Fourth Judicial District | 2. Juab, Millard, Utah, Wasatch | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
3. Anthony W. Schofield | 4. Fourth District Court PO Box 1847 Provo UT, 84603- 429-1045 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
5. 1994: 44.50 | 6. 1995: 58.00 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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1. Fourth Judicial District | 2. Juab, Millard, Utah, Wasatch | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
3. Kay A. Lindsay | 4. Fourth District Juvenile Court 2021 South State Provo UT, 84601- 373-3613 244 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
5. 1994: 50.00 | 6. 1995: 92.25 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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1. Fifth Judicial District | 2. Beaver, Iron, Washington | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
3. J. Philip Eves Presiding Judge |
4. Fifth District Court Washington County Hall of Justice 220 North 200 East St. George UT, 84770- 673-3852 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
5. 1994: 35.00 | 6. 1995: 62.50 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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1. Fifth Judicial District | 2. Beaver, Iron, Washington | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
3. Robert T. Braithwaite | 4. Fifth District Court Cedar City Hall of Justice 40 North 100 East Cedar City UT, 84720- 586-7440 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
5. 1994: 63.00 | 6. 1995: 52.50 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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1. Sixth Judicial District | 2. Garfield, Kane, Piute, Sanpete, Sevier, Wayne | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
3. David A. Mower Presiding Judge |
4. Sixth District Court Sevier County Courthouse 250 North Main Richfield UT, 84701- 896-9256 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
5. 1994: 45.00 | 6. 1995: 37.00 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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1. Sixth Judicial District | 2. Garfield, Kane, Piute, Sanpete, Sevier, Wayne | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
3. Louis G. Tervort | 4. Sixth District Juvenile Court Sevier County Courthouse 250 North Main Richfield UT, 84701- 896-9254 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
5. 1994: 35.00 | 6. 1995: 45.00 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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1. Seventh Judicial District | 2. Carbon, Emery, Grand, San Juan | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
3. Lyle R. Anderson | 4. Seventh District Court Grand County Courthouse 125 East Center Street Moab UT, 84532- 259-1349 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
5. 1994: 64.00 | 6. 1995: 59.00 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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1. Seventh Judicial District | 2. Carbon, Emery, Grand, San Juan | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
3. Bruce K. Halliday | 4. Seventh District Court Carbon County Court Complex 149 East 100 South Price UT, 84501- 637-2150 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
5. 1994: 58.00 | 6. 1995: 37.00 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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1. Seventh Judicial District | 2. Carbon, Emery, Grand, San Juan | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
3. Scott N. Johansen | 4. Seventh District Juvenile Court Carbon County Court Complex 149 East 100 South Price UT, 84501- 637-5491 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
5. 1994: 50.00 | 6. 1995: 35.75 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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1. Eighth Judicial District | 2. Daggett, Duchesne, Uintah | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
3. John R. Anderson Presiding Judge |
4. Eighth District Court Uintah County Courthouse 147 East Main Vernal UT, 84078- | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
5. 1994: 68.00 | 6. 1995: 30.00 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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