Utah State Bar News & Announcements

Salt Lake City, UT---A panel of judges is scheduled to meet on Thursday, Jan. 3, 2008 from
9 a.m. to 4 p.m. to hear testimony to determine if reasonable cause exists to call a grand jury. The meeting will take place in the Third Judicial District at the West Jordan Courthouse, 8080 Redwood Road.

Those wanting to testify before the panel of judges should contact District Court Administrator Debra Moore at (801) 578-3800 by Dec. 17, 2007 to schedule a one-half hour appointment. 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 Ms. Moore 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, Eighth District Court; Judge Terry L. Christiansen, Third District Court; Judge Steven L. Hansen, Fourth District Court; Judge Sandra N. Peuler, Third District Court; and Judge W. Brent West, Second District Court.

The Attorney General, a county attorney, district attorney, or special prosecutor appointed under U.C.A. 77-10a-1 can also present evidence if it is based on 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.

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Nancy Volmer
Public Information Office
Utah State Courts
(801) 578-3994
Fax: (801) 578-3843
www.utcourts.gov

December 7, 2007
Contact: Nancy Volmer
(801) 578-3994
Cell: (801) 712-4545

Salt Lake City, UT---The Utah Supreme Court has appointed Judge Royal I. Hansen to serve on the Judicial Conduct Commission, filling the balance of the term of Judge Darwin C. Hansen, who is retiring from the bench December 31, 2007. Judge Darwin Hansen’s term on the Commission expires June 30, 2008. At that time, the Utah Supreme Court will consider reappointing Judge Royal Hansen for a four-year term.

Under Utah law, the Utah Supreme Court is required to appoint two judges and two attorneys to the Judicial Conduct Commission. One of the judges must be a member of the Utah Court of Appeals, and the other a judge from the district or juvenile court bench. The attorneys must be members in good standing with the Utah State Bar and cannot reside in the same judicial district.

Judge Royal I. Hansen was appointed to the Third District Court in July 2003 by Gov. Michael O. Leavitt. He serves Salt Lake, Summit, and Tooele counties. Judge Hansen received a law degree from the University of Utah College of Law in 1975. He was a law clerk for Judge Frank Q. Nebeker of the District of Columbia Court of Appeals from 1975 to 1976. Judge Hansen practiced with the law firm of Moyle & Draper from 1976 to 2003. He was admitted to practice in the District of Columbia and Utah. Judge Hansen currently serves as a member of the Utah Supreme Court Advisory Committee on the Rules of Professional Conduct, the Utah Supreme Court Advisory Committee on Professionalism, and as chair of the Judicial Council’s Alternative Dispute Resolution Committee. He is the presiding judge of the South Valley Felony Drug Court. Judge Hansen is a member of the A. Aldon J. Anderson Inn of Court.

The JCC was constitutionally established in 1984. By statute, the Utah Constitution authorizes the Legislature to establish the composition and procedures of the JCC. The JCC is empowered to investigate and conduct confidential hearings regarding complaints against state, county, and municipal judges throughout the state.

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http://www.utcourts.gov/media/news/

The Supreme Court invites comments to proposed amendments to the following court rules. The comment period expires January 22, 2008.

Summary of proposed amendments

Rules of Evidence

URE 0509. News reporters. New. Creates a privilege for news reporters. This proposed rule is being published for comment a second time.

Salt Lake City, UT---A panel of judges is scheduled to meet on Thursday, Jan. 3, 2007 from
9 a.m. to 4 p.m. to hear testimony to determine if reasonable cause exists to call a grand jury. The meeting will take place in the Third Judicial District at the West Jordan Courthouse, 8080 Redwood Road.

WHAT: Judge David M. Connors will take the oath of office to become the newest judge in the Second Judicial District. Prior to being appointed to the bench, Judge Connors was a partner with Chapman and Cutler LLP in the Litigation Department. Judge Connors earned a law degree from Brigham Young University’s J. Reuben Clark Law School where he graduated magna cum laude in 1979. Judge Connors served as Mayor of Farmington City from 2002 through 2006.

WHEN: Thursday, January 3, 2008, 1:00 p.m.

WHERE: Farmington Courthouse, 800 West State Street, Courtroom 4.

http://www.sltrib.com/business/ci_7817352

Tradewinds
Compiled by Brianna Lange
Article Last Updated: 12/26/2007 11:33:39 PM MST

Paul Felt, a Salt Lake City attorney, has received the Peter W. Billings Sr. Award for Excellence in Dispute Resolution from the Utah State Bar's Dispute Resolution Section. Felt, who has a private practice, received the award for his mediation and arbitration achievements. He has mediated more than 3,000 cases, 90 percent of which were settled.