Judicial Council

Entity: 1669
Entity Type: State Government

Abstract

The Judicial Council was created by the Court Administrator Act in 1973 to establish general policies for the operation of the courts.

Biography/History Notes

The Judicial Council was created by the Court Administrator Act in 1973 (Laws of Utah, ch. 202 pp. 700-701) to establish general policies for the operation of the courts.

"Among other things, the Judicial Council is responsible for the following: (1) the development of a uniform administrative policy for courts throughout the state; (2) the establishment of standards for judicial competence and for the evaluation of judicial performance; (3) the establishment of court operating standards, such as court facilities, security, support services, and staffing levels; (4) the establishment of rules governing the retention and destruction of court records; (5) the assignment of state vehicles to court officers; (6) the issuance of advisory opinions regarding ethical issues; (7) the establishment of procedures regarding the assignment of temporary judges; (8) the designation of municipalities as sites for district, juvenile, and circuit courts; (9) the determination of responsibility for providing court support services; and (10) the transfer of court administrative responsibilities within a county.

The chief justice of the Supreme Court is the presiding officer of the 13-member Judicial Council. (Source: "State and Local Government in Utah," 1992 ed., p. 71.)

"The council consists of 13 members selected as follows: (1) the chief justice of the Supreme Court; (2) another member elected by Supreme Court justices; (3) one member elected by Court of Appeals judges; (4) three members elected by district court judges; (5) two members elected by circuit court judges; (6) two members elected by juvenile court judges; (7) two members elected by justice court judges; and (8) the president of the Utah State Bar (or his designee) is an ex officio member of the council but has no vote.