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Utah Chief Justice delivers final State of the Judiciary, highlights access, drug courts and technology
Summary
In his final State of the Judiciary address, the chief justice praised merit selection, cited growth of drug and mental-health courts, and outlined efforts to expand access to legal services through technology and community programs.
The chief justice of the Utah Supreme Court used his final State of the Judiciary address to underscore reforms aimed at expanding access to justice, modernizing court operations and broadening community outreach. He told the House that this address would be his last and thanked legislators for accommodating his schedule.
In the address the chief justice traced institutional changes over recent decades and singled out several milestones: consolidation of court levels, creation of the court of appeals, and a dramatic increase in specialized courts. "In the past 4 years, we have increased from 2 drug courts to 18," he said, citing the courts as an example of the judiciary adapting to changing community needs.
The chief justice also highlighted technological steps aimed at helping unrepresented litigants, describing an "online court assistance program" that helps users generate legal pleadings from home. He pointed to other consumer-facing services including bilingual court information lines and a pay-by-phone system for traffic fines.
On judicial selection, the chief justice defended Utah’s merit-based system of appointment and retention elections, saying it reduces the need for judges to raise campaign funds and helps preserve public confidence. He described a legislative-requested study—staffed by five legislators, two justices and bar representatives—to examine delivery of legal services and report back next fall.
The address closed with acknowledgments of judges, staff and lawyers who participated in outreach programs — juvenile court adoption day, civic-education efforts and 27 statewide community hearings on racial and ethnic fairness — and a request that the legislature continue to support measures that build public trust in the courts. "The system we have in Utah is undoubtedly the best in the nation," he said, acknowledging the legislature’s role in shaping that system.
The remarks framed technology, specialty courts and sustained community engagement as the judiciary’s priority areas going forward; no formal action was taken during the address. The House resumed regular business after the presentation.
