Utah courts ask lawmakers for pay increases for frontline staff, additional judges and oppose proposed travel cut

The Utah Judiciary asked the Criminal Justice Appropriations Subcommittee on Feb. 4 to approve a package of budget requests intended to reduce staff turnover, cover growing caseloads and preserve court services statewide. State Court Administrator Ron Gordon told the panel the Judicial Council’s top priorities include pay increases for frontline positions, adding judicial officers in high‑need districts and funding essential court software.

Why it matters: Court leaders said high turnover among judicial assistants — the employees who run courtrooms, manage electronic case files and operate WebEx hearings — is creating delays and risks to court operations. The judiciary described pay and training investments as necessary to maintain timely hearings and public safety.

Gordon and finance director Carl Sweeney walked the committee through seven Judicial Council priorities. The council’s top personnel request is $3.0 million ongoing to provide roughly a 5% increase for three job categories: probation officers (in the juvenile system), judicial assistants and administrative staff. Gordon said the positions are now “professional-level” roles that require specialized training; he and judges who spoke described an average of about 18 months to reach full proficiency for a new judicial assistant.

The analyst from the Legislature’s…