August 28, 2006
Contact: Nancy Volmer
(801) 578-3994
Cell: (801) 712-4545
PRESIDING JUDGES NAMED IN FOURTH JUDICIAL DISTRICT
Provo, UT---Judge Anthony Schofield has been named presiding judge for the Fourth District Court effective July 1, 2006 through June 30, 2008. Judge Schofield replaces Judge James Taylor. Judge Derek Pullan has been named associate presiding judge.
Judge Sterling B. Sainsbury has been named presiding judge for the Fourth District Juvenile Court effective July 1, 2006 through June 30, 2008. Judge Sainsbury replaces Judge Leslie Brown.
The presiding judge is responsible for the effective operation of their court. According to court Rule 3-104, presiding judges are responsible for implementation and enforcement of statutes, rules, policies, and directives of the Judicial Council as they pertain to the administration of the courts. The presiding judge is responsible for assigning cases and judges.
Presiding judges and associated presiding judges are elected by a majority vote of the judges of their court. When the presiding judge is unavailable, the associate presiding judge assumes his or her responsibilities.
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August 25, 2006
Contact: Nancy Volmer
(801) 578-3994
Cell: (801) 712-4545
PRESIDING JUDGES NAMED IN FIFTH JUDICIAL DISTRICT
St. George, UT---Judge Michael Westfall has been named presiding judge for the Fifth District Court effective July 1, 2006 through June 30, 2008. Judge Westfall replaces Judge James Shumate. Judge Eric A. Ludlow has been named associate presiding judge.
Judge Thomas M. Higbee has been named presiding judge for the Fifth District Juvenile Court effective July 1, 2006 through June 30, 2008. Judge Higbee replaces Judge Hans Chamberlain.
The presiding judge is responsible for the effective operation of their court. According to court Rule 3-104, presiding judges are responsible for implementation and enforcement of statutes, rules, policies, and directives of the Judicial Council as they pertain to the administration of the courts. The presiding judge is responsible for assigning cases and judges.
The Fifth Judicial District presiding judges and associated presiding judges are selected on a rotation basis. When the presiding judge is unavailable, the associate presiding judge assumes his or her responsibilities.
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August 25, 2006
Contact: Nancy Volmer
(801) 578-3994
Cell: (801) 712-4545
PRESIDING JUDGE NAMED IN FIRST JUDICIAL DISTRICT
Logan, UT---Judge Thomas L. Willmore has been named presiding judge for the First District Court effective July 1, 2006 through June 30, 2008. Judge Willmore replaces Judge Ben Hadfield. Judge Larry Jones will continue as presiding judge in the First District Juvenile Court.
The presiding judge is responsible for the effective operation of their court. According to court Rule 3-104, presiding judges are responsible for implementation and enforcement of statutes, rules, policies, and directives of the Judicial Council as they pertain to the administration of the courts. The presiding judge is responsible for assigning cases and judges. Presiding judges are elected by a majority vote of the judges of their court.
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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
August 24, 2006
Contact: Nancy Volmer
(801) 578-3994
Cell: (801) 712-4545
JUSTICE COURTS ADD VIDEO CONFERENCING
CourtCom allows judges to hold hearings via the Internet
Salt Lake City, UT—For the past 15 months, Utah’s Justice Courts have been going online with a video conferencing system known as CourtCom. The new system allows Justice Court judges to conduct preliminary proceedings and arraignments via a secure Internet connection.
CourtCom assists Justice Courts to better manage case dockets while improving safety and security at courthouses. The new system is expected to create some $500,000 in savings in transportation and security costs, while reducing prisoner jail time by allowing judges to hear cases more quickly.
The only equipment needed for CourtCom is a secure Internet connection, along with a computer, microphone, headset, and webcam. The system operates through the Internet and is encrypted in order to be totally secure. Webcams have been installed in courts and at the jails so the judge and defendants can view each other.
“CourtCom is a win-win system,” said Clearfield Justice Court Judge John Sandberg. “CourtCom reduces jail costs, transportation costs, and generally results in early release for defendants, while saving money.”
CourtCom has been installed by VIACK Corporation at 134 Justice Courts and 29 correctional facilities throughout the state. The final installation took place at the Salt Lake City Justice Court on August 24, 2006. The total cost of the installation is $220,000, which has been paid for with grant monies from the Utah Security, Technology, and Training fund. This fund receives monies from surcharges on criminal cases.
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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
August 14, 2006
Contact: Nancy Volmer
(801) 578-3994
Cell: (801) 712-4545
JUDICIAL NOMINATING COMMISSION SELECTS NOMINEES FOR THIRD DISTRICT COURT VACANCY
Salt Lake City, UT---The Third District Judicial Nominating Commission has selected ten nominees for two upcoming vacancies in the Third Judicial District. The position will replace District Court Judge Timothy Hanson and Judge Dennis Frederick, who have announced their retirements effective Dec. 31, 2006. The Third Judicial District is comprised of Salt Lake, Summit, and Tooele counties.
The nominees are as follows: Patricia S. Cassell, Salt Lake City, Salt Lake County District Attorney’s Office; Augustus G. Chin, Salt Lake City, Summit County Attorney’s Office; Scott J. Daniels, Salt Lake City, private arbitrator and mediator; Commissioner Michael S. Evans, Salt Lake City, Third District Court; Robert P. Faust, Salt Lake City, attorney, Robert P. Faust, P.C.; Carolyn Nichols, Salt Lake City, Assistant Attorney General; Lisa Remal, Salt Lake City, Salt Lake Legal Defender’s Association; Paula K. Smith, Salt Lake City, Salt Lake County District Attorney’s Office; Kate Toomey, Salt Lake City, deputy counsel, Utah State Bar-Office of Professional Conduct; Vernice S. Trease, Bountiful, Salt Lake Legal Defender’s Association.
A 10-day public comment period will be held before the names are submitted to Gov. Jon M. Huntsman Jr. Third District Nominating Commission Chair Larry Lunt is accepting written comments regarding the nominees at Administrative Office of the Courts, P.O. Box 140241, Salt Lake City, UT, 84114-0241. The deadline for written comments is August 23, 2006.
The commission may request further interviews or an investigation of the nominees after reviewing public comments. After the public comment period, the names will be sent to the governor who has 30 days to select a candidate. The Governor’s nominees are then forwarded to the Senate Confirmation Committee, which reviews the nominee’s qualifications and conducts a public hearing and interview session. The Senate Confirmation Committee will forward the final nominees to the Utah State Senate, which has 60 days from the Governor’s nomination to confirm the nominees.
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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
August 10, 2006
Contact: Nancy Volmer
(801) 578-3994
Cell: (801) 712-4545
JUDICIAL NOMINATING COMMISSION SELECTS NOMINEES FOR FOURTH DISTRICT JUVENILE COURT VACANCY
Provo, UT---The Fourth District Judicial Nominating Commission has selected five nominees for a vacancy in the Fourth Judicial Juvenile District. The position will replace Juvenile Court Judge Leslie D. Brown, who has announced his retirement effective Dec. 31, 2006. The Fourth Judicial District is comprised of Juab, Millard, Utah, and Wasatch counties.
The nominees are as follows: Suchada P. Bazzellle, Highland, Office of the Guardian ad Litem, Third Judicial Juvenile District; M. James Brady, Mapleton, partner, Bradford & Brady; Janise L.K. Macanas, Alpine, Assistant Attorney General, Salt Lake City; Darold J. McDade, Pleasant Grove, Assistant Attorney General, Provo; and Robert John Moody, Provo, Office of the Guardian ad Litem, Fourth Judicial Juvenile District.
A 10-day public comment period will be held before the names are submitted to Gov. Jon M. Huntsman Jr. Fourth District Nominating Commission Chair Tom Bankhead is accepting written comments regarding the nominees at Administrative Office of the Courts, P.O. Box 140241, Salt Lake City, UT, 84114-0241. The deadline for written comments is August 21, 2006.
The commission may request further interviews or an investigation of the nominees after reviewing public comments. After the public comment period, the names will be sent to the governor who has 30 days to select a candidate. The Governor’s nominee is then forwarded to the Senate Confirmation Committee, which reviews the nominee’s qualifications and conducts a public hearing and interview session. The Senate Confirmation Committee will forward the final nominee to the Utah State Senate, which has 60 days from the Governor’s nomination to confirm the nominee.
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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Nancy Volmer
August 1, 2006
(801) 578-3994
Cell: (801) 712-4545
THIRD DISTRICT JUDICIAL VACANCY ANNOUNCED
Salt Lake City, Utah—Applications are now being accepted for a District Court judge position in the Third Judicial District, which includes Salt Lake, Summit, and Tooele counties. The position will replace Judge Dennis M. Fuchs who announced his retirement effective Dec. 31, 2006.
To be considered for the position, candidates must be at least 25 years of age, a citizen of the United States, a resident of Utah for at least three years, and admitted to practice law in Utah.
Information on benefits, judicial retention, and performance evaluation is posted on the Utah State Courts website at www.utcourts.gov under employment opportunities. Application packets are available by contacting Margo Bird at (801) 578-3800 or through e-mail at margob@email.utcourts.gov.
Applications should be returned to the attention of Margo Bird, Administrative Office of the Courts, P.O. Box 140241, Salt Lake City, UT 84114-0241, or faxed to (801) 238-7814. Applications must be received by Sept. 5, 2006 at 5:00 p.m.
Utah law requires the Judicial Nominating Commission to submit five nominees to the Governor within 45 days of its first meeting. The Governor has 30 days in which to make a selection. The Utah State Senate has 60 days in which to approve or reject the Governor’s selection.
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