FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
May 8, 2012
Contact: Nancy Volmer
(801) 578-3994

NOMINEE NAMED TO FILL BLUFFDALE CITY JUSTICE COURT VACANCY

Bluffdale, UT—The Bluffdale City Mayor Derek Timothy has announced the appointment of the Scott J. Mickelsen to fill a Bluffdale City Justice Court vacancy. The position will replace Judge Darwin Poulson who resigned effective May 1, 2012.

Mickelsen is a 35-year veteran of law enforcement where he has worked as a division commander in patrol, court security, and administrative support. During his career in law enforcement, Mickelsen created officer–friendly programs for elementary school curriculums and also taught criminal justice in area high schools. He earned a Bachelor of Science and Master of Science degrees in Criminal Justice from Weber State University and is a graduate of the FBI National Academy.

Michelson’s appointment to the bench is subject completion of the court’s new judge orientation and certification by the Utah Judicial Council.

# # #

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
May 2, 2012
Contact: Nancy Volmer
(801) 578-3994
Cell: (801) 712-4545

NOMINEE NAMED TO FILL SANDY CITY JUSTICE COURT VACANCY

Sandy, UT—Sandy City Mayor Tom Dolan has announced the appointment of the Honorable Paul C. Farr to fill a vacancy at the Sandy City Justice Court. The position will replace Judge Donald Sawaya who retired Feb. 5, 2012.

Judge Farr was appointed to the Herriman City Justice Court in 2010 and to the Lehi City Justice Court in 2011. Judge Farr received an Associate of Science degree in History from Dixie State College, a Bachelor of Science degree in Criminal Justice from Weber State University, and a Juris Doctorate from Brigham Young University. Judge Far has been a member of the Utah State Bar since 2000. Prior to his appointment to the bench, Judge Farr was a partner in a Salt Lake City law firm. He has previously worked for the Utah Attorney General's Office, the U.S. Department of the Interior, and in private practice.

# # #

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
April 27, 2012
Contact: Nancy Volmer
(801) 578-3994

NOMINEE NAMED TO FILL HILDALE CITY JUSTICE COURT VACANCY

Hildale, UT—Hildale City Mayor Phillip Barlow has announced the appointment of K. Jake Graff to fill a vacancy at the Hildale City Justice Court. The position will replace Senior Judge Richard Carr who has served in the position for the past six years.

Graff received his undergraduate degrees from Dixie State College and Brigham Young University. He received a Juris Doctorate from William S. Boyd School of Law in Las Vegas, Nev. During law school, Graff externed for Judge Jennifer L. Elliott of the Eighth District Court in Clark County, Nev. Following law school, he worked as an associate attorney at a St. George law firm before joining the law firm Bingham Snow & Caldwell in 2008. He is a native of St. George.

Graff’s appointment to the bench is subject completion of the court’s new judge orientation and certification by the Utah Judicial Council.

# # #

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
April 25, 2012
Contact: Nancy Volmer
(801) 578-3994

NOMINEE NAMED TO FILL HYRUM CITY JUSTICE COURT VACANCY

Hyrum, UT—Hyrum City Mayor W. Dean Howard has announced the appointment of Paul K. Larsen to fill an upcoming vacancy at the Hyrum City Justice Court. The position will replace Judge Jack L. Stevens who will retire effective July 27, 2012.

Larsen received a Bachelor of Science degree from Utah State University in 1973 and a Juris Doctorate from Western State University in San Diego, Calif., in 1977. He served as the judge for the Smithfield Justice Court from 1980 through 1990. Larsen also served for five years on the Logan City Planning Commission. He currently owns and operates an online retail business and serves as an administrative hearing examiner for Logan City.

Larsen’s appointment to the bench is subject completion of the court’s new judge orientation and certification by the Utah Judicial Council.

# # #

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
April 24, 2012
Contact: Nancy Volmer
(801) 578-3994

SPRING CLASSES SCHEDULED FOR
DIVORCE EDUCATION FOR CHILDREN PROGRAM

Salt Lake City, UT—Nearly 12,000 Utah children are impacted by divorce each year, including more than 5,000 children in Salt Lake County. To address the needs of these children, the Utah State Courts offers a Divorce Education for Children class twice each month at no charge to participants. Classes take place on Saturday from 10 a.m. to noon and Monday from 6 to 8 p.m. Following are the dates for upcoming classes: May 5 and 21; June 4 and 16.

The Divorce Education for Children class is for children 9- to 12-years-old whose parents have filed for divorce or whose parents are divorced. The class takes place at the Scott M. Matheson Courthouse at 450 South State Street. Advance registration is required by calling (801) 578-3897 or e-mail sabrinap@email.utcourts.gov. There is no charge to attend the class.

The program’s curriculum provides children with skills they can use to better communicate their feelings to parents. A mental health professional teaches the class with the assistance of a state court commissioner. Participation in the children’s class is voluntary.

For more information, go to www.utcourts.gov and search for divorce education classes.

# # #

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
April 20, 2012
Contact: Nancy Volmer
(801) 578-3994

NOMINEE NAMED TO FILL NIBLEY CITY JUSTICE COURT VACANCY

Nibley, UT—Nibley City Mayor Gerald Knight has announced the appointment of Trevor L. Cook to fill an upcoming vacancy at the Nibley City Justice Court. The position will replace Judge Jack L. Stevens who will retire effective July 27, 2012.

Cook received a Bachelor of Science degree from Utah State University in 2002, and a Juris Doctorate from the Thurgood Marshall School of Law at Texas Southern University, where he graduated Cum Laude in 2006. Cook is an attorney with the law firm of Ericson & Shaw, LLP in Logan where he has worked for four years with a practice focusing on family law and bankruptcy. Prior to pursuing his law practice, he served as a law clerk in the First District Court where he became familiar with criminal prosecution and defense and civil litigation. He currently volunteers for Utah Law Related Education and Thursday Night at the Bar.

Cook’s appointment to the bench is subject completion of the court’s new judge orientation and certification by the Utah Judicial Council.

# # #

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
April 13, 2012
Contact: Nancy Volmer
(801) 578-3994

SEVENTH JUDICIAL DISTRICT COURT EXECUTIVE APPOINTED

Price, UT---The Administrative Office of the Utah State Courts has appointed Terri Yelonek as the trial court executive for Seventh District Court, which includes Carbon, Emery, Grand, and San Juan counties. Ms. Yelonek will replace Bill Engle who is retiring effective April 16, 2012.

As the court executive, Yelonek will be responsible for the administration of district and juvenile courts, which includes providing administrative support to three judges and managing support operations of about 30 professional and technical staff, case management, court facilities, probation services, and court security. In addition, the court executive develops, justifies, and manages the court budget.

Yelonek, who will begin working for the courts April 16, has worked for the past 25 years for the Division of Child and Family Services in domestic violence and child abuse and neglect. Most recently, she has served as a child welfare administrator in Carbon County.

Yelonek earned a bachelor degree in Social Work and Psychology from Southern Utah State University and will receive a master’s degree in Social Work from the University of Utah in May 2012. She resides in Price.

# # #

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
April 10, 2012
Contact: Nancy Volmer
(801) 578-3994

NOMINEES ANNOUNCED FOR HILDALE JUSTICE COURT VACANCY

Hildale, UT—The Washington County Nominating Commission has selected three nominees for a vacancy at the Hildale Justice Court. The position will replace Judge Richard Carr who has been hearing cases the past six years.

Following are the nominees followed by place of employment and residence:
• K. Jake Graff, Bingham Snow & Caldwell, Washington
• Honorable Karlin S. Myers, Hurricane Justice Court, Ivins
• Manuel M. Palma, retired, Dept. of Labor, Mine Safety & Health Administration, St. George

A comment period will be held through April 19, 2012, before a final candidate is selected by Hildale Mayor Phillip Barlow, who has 30 days to make an appointment, which is subject to ratification by the Hildale City Council. The Utah Judicial Council must then certify the appointment. To submit written comments about the candidates, contact Shari Veverka, Administrative Office of the Courts, shariv@email.utcourts.gov.

# # #

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
April 9, 2012
Contact: Nancy Volmer
(801) 578-3994

UTAH SUPREME COURT TO HEAR ORAL ARGUMENTS AT
S.J. QUINNEY COLLEGE OF LAW

WHAT:
The Utah Supreme Court periodically holds court sessions in other locations to provide an opportunity to enhance public understanding of the court’s work and to provide law students with an opportunity to see the Supreme Court in session.

Cases to be heard are as follows:
9:30 a.m.-Gregory v. Shurtleff, case # 20110277
10:30 a.m.-State v. Ramirez, case #20110174

WHEN:
Wednesday, April 11 at 9:30 a.m. to approx. 12:00 p.m.

WHERE:
S.J. Quinney College of Law, Moot Courtroom, University of Utah.

WHO:
Utah Supreme Court Justices: Chief Justice Matthew B. Durrant, Associate Chief Justice Ronald E. Nehring, Christine M. Durham, Justice Thomas R. Lee, and Justice Jill N. Parrish.

PHOTOGRAPHY:
One pool still photographer and one pool video camera will be permitted into the court session. To request to be the pool photographer, contact Public Information Officer Nancy Volmer at (801) 578-3994 by April 10.

# # #

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
April 9, 2012
Contact: Nancy Volmer
(801) 578-3994

JUDGES TO HEAR GRAND JURY TESTIMONY

Brigham City, UT---A panel of judges is scheduled to meet on May 10, 2012 to hear testimony to determine if reasonable cause exists to call a grand jury. The meeting will take place in the First Judicial District, Box Elder County Courthouse, 43 North Main, Brigham City.

Those wanting to testify before the panel of judges should contact District Court Administrator Debra Moore at (801) 578-3800 by April 27, 2012, to schedule an appointment. If no appointments are scheduled by April 27, the meeting will be canceled without further notice.

Individuals testifying must be prepared to give evidence to support claims that justify calling a grand jury. Controversies between individual parties will not be considered. Individuals who need special accommodations during the hearing must notify the court at least three business days prior to the hearing.

Utah’s Grand Jury Statute requires a panel of judges selected from throughout the state to hold hearings in each judicial district every three years. The purpose of the hearings is to determine if a grand jury needs to be summoned based on evidence of criminal activity. The Grand Jury Panel is comprised of the following judges: Supervising Judge A. Lynn Payne, senior judge; Judge Terry L. Christiansen, 3rd District Court; Judge Steven L. Hansen, 4th District Court; Senior Judge Sandra N. Peuler, 3rd District Court; and Judge W. Brent West, 2nd District Court.

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, all persons claiming information that justifies calling a grand jury. All individuals appearing before the panel of judges will be placed under oath. If a grand jury is summoned, the jurors will be called from the state-at-large or any judicial district within the state.
# # #