Second District Accepting Snail-Mail Comments on its Court Nominees

Five brave attorneys have been nominated to replace retiring Judge Parley Baldwin: Catherine S. Conklin, Second District Court Commissioner; Martin Custen, private practice; Mark R. DeCaria, county attorney, Weber County; L. Dean Saunders, deputy county attorney, Weber County; and Gary R. Williams, Ogden City Attorney.  You are invited to comment before 5:00 p.m. December 26, 2008.  The public is free to comment on the nominees by sending comments to the Administrative Office of the Courts, P.O. Box 140241, Salt Lake City, UT, 84114-0241.  My only question is why the Nominating Commission only accepts comments via mail at a PO box (especially with a time deadline)?  There must be a more economical (and earth-friendly) way to accept comments . . . hmmm. . . like online!  If you would like to comment on the above nominees, feel free to do so below.

Court of Appeals Is Again Looking for a New Judge—Just Beware of the Senate

Unless you hadn’t heard (which is unlikely), the Utah Court of Appeals wants to fill a vacancy left by retiring Judge Billings.  The last candidate who tried to run the Utah State Senate gauntlet, Third District Court Judge Hilder, did not fare too well.  If you think you have an “in” with Senator Buttars or Valentine or have the proper “demeanor” to be an appellate judge—oh, and make sure you are not divorced—then feel free to apply for the position on the court of appeals.

Here’s what Judge Hilder said about your chances of getting a fair hearing before the Utah Senate: “I would strongly encourage judges and expert trial lawyers to apply. I hope they will get a fair hearing. I can’t say they will, but I certainly hope they apply.”

What do you think your chances are?

UPDATE:

The Utah Legislature has announced that it has suspended any recruiting efforts to fill Judge Billings’ vacancy due to budget restraints.  Fortune, Fate, or Destiny?