Chief Justice Matthew Durrant of the Utah Supreme Court has sent a letter to House Speaker Mike Schultz and Senate President J. Stuart Adams opposing House Bill 512. The bill, sponsored by House Majority Whip Karianne Lisonbee, would create a legislative committee to provide input on judges up for retention on the ballot. The Chief Justice warned that this approach introduces partisan politics into the judiciary, eroding public trust and confidence in the judicial system.
The letter, written on behalf of the Utah Judicial Council, criticizes the bill for potentially influencing voters’ decisions and undermining the fairness of the electoral process. Despite pushback from the Chief Justice and the legal community, Speaker Schultz hinted that the bill may undergo some changes to address concerns.
In response to the controversy, House Majority Leader Jefferson Moss announced the abandonment of a bill to add more justices to the Utah Supreme Court, indicating that the issue would be revisited at a later time. The debate over the role of the legislature in judicial retention elections continues to unfold in Utah’s ongoing legislative session.
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