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House narrows law‑degree preference for justice court judges to most populous counties
Summary
The Utah House passed Second Substitute HB 160 on Feb. 18, 2016, after adopting an amendment that limits a new law‑degree preference to first‑ and second‑class counties. Supporters said law training will improve legal outcomes; opponents warned it narrows local representation.
Representative Hall, sponsor of Second Substitute House Bill 160, told the House that justice court judges "make decisions every day regarding important constitutional issues, including possible incarceration," arguing the legislation would "increase the likelihood that legal decisions are correct" by giving a preference to law‑trained applicants in specified counties.
The bill, amended on the floor by Representative Chu, ultimately applies the law‑degree preference only to first‑ and second‑class counties after members debated…
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