Utah State Bar News & Announcements

Bluffdale, UT—Judge Darwin R. Poulsen has been selected to fill a vacancy on the Bluffdale City Justice Court bench. Bluffdale City Council ratified the appointment, which was made by Bluffdale City Mayor Derk Timothy. The position will replace Judge Reed Parkin who has been appointed to the Orem City Justice Court effective Sept. 1, 2010.

Bluffdale, UT—Judge Darwin R. Poulsen has been selected to fill a vacancy on the Bluffdale City Justice Court bench. Bluffdale City Council ratified the appointment, which was made by Bluffdale City Mayor Derk Timothy. The position will replace Judge Reed Parkin who has been appointed to the Orem City Justice Court effective Sept. 1, 2010.

September 8, 2010

Applications are now being accepted for the position of juvenile court judge in the Second Judicial District (Counties include Davis, Morgan, and Weber). This position results from the passing of Judge Kathleen M. Nelson August 31, 2010. Completed application forms must be received by the Commission on Criminal and Juvenile Justice no later than 5:00 p.m., Monday, October 11, 2010. Old application forms will not be accepted. Instructions for obtaining the current application form can be found below.

MESSAGE FROM PRESIDENT ROBERT L. JEFFS
RESULTS - Annual Bar Programs and Services Survey

Thank you to the 551 lawyers who participated in the Annual Bar Programs and Services Survey. Your responses will help us determine how we can do things better to serve your needs and those of the public and how we can be more efficient in performing our regulatory responsibilities for the Utah Supreme Court.

Many of those responding suggested that the Bar could enhance certain services and improve the way we communicate the Bar's goals and operations. I want you to know that the Bar Commission believes in conducting the Bar's dealings with absolute transparency. The Bar's website is our primary outlet to get this information to you on a more timely basis and a great deal of information is available online. You will also now find the 2009-2010 Annual Report posted at: http://www.utahbar.org/documents/2009_2010_operations.pdf; the 2010-2011 Budget is available at: http://www.utahbar.org/documents/2010_2011_budget.pdf.
In the near future we will begin to more specifically address recurring topics and suggestions from the survey. The commissioners, volunteers and Bar staff are committed to serving the profession and the public.

SALT LAKE CITY – The 3rd District Judicial Nominating Commission has selected nominees for two judicial vacancies. The vacancies result from the appointment of Judge Michele Christiansen to the Utah Court of Appeals and the retirement of Judge Stephen Henriod, effective December 31, 2010. The 3rd Judicial District includes Salt Lake, Summit and Tooele counties.

Herriman, UT—The City of Herriman has appointed Paul C. Farr to fill the city’s Justice Court vacancy. The position will replace Judge Reed Parkin who has been appointed to the Orem City Justice Court effective Sept. 1, 2010.

Providence, Utah—Applications are being accepted for a Justice Court judge position in Providence City. The position will replace Judge Allan D. Vail who will retire effective February 2011.

To be considered for the position, candidates must be at least 25 years of age, a citizen of the United States, a Utah resident for at least three years, and have earned a high school diploma or GED.

The Utah Minority Bar Foundation, the charitable branch of the Utah Minority Bar Association, would like to invite you to attend this year’s Scholarship and Awards Banquet to be held October 22, 2010 at the Little America Hotel. Larry Echo Hawk, an enrolled member of the Pawnee Nation of Oklahoma and Assistant Secretary-Indian Affairs for the U.S. Department of the Interior, will be our keynote speaker.

Harrisville, UT—The City of Harrisville has appointed Judge Reuben Renstrom to fill the city’s Justice Court vacancy. The position will replace Judge James L. Beesley who retired from the City of Harrisville Justice Court effective June 30, 2010.

Reading Planned at the Scott M. Matheson Courthouse Rotunda

WHAT: In recognition of Constitution Day the Utah State Courts is planning a reading of the preamble to the Constitution and Article III, which established the Judicial Branch of Government. The reading is planned to coincide with readings across the nation.

Riverdale, UT—The Weber County Nominating Commission has selected nominees for the upcoming vacancy in the Riverdale City Justice Court. The position will replace Judge Michelle Heward who has resigned effective Oct. 1, 2010.

Summary of amendments

Rules of Appellate Procedure
URAP 005. Discretionary appeals from interlocutory orders. Amend. The amendment states that petitions in criminal and juvenile delinquency cases shall be served on the Office of the Utah Attorney General.
URAP 023B. Motion to remand for findings necessary to determination of ineffective assistance of counsel claim. Amend. The amendment calculates the response time from the date of service and not the date of filing.
URAP 029. Oral argument. Amend. The amendments clarify the standards for continuing oral argument at the request of a party.