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Utah Senate Advises and Consents to Two Judicial Appointments
Summary
In a December 1990 special session called by the governor, the Utah Senate heard brief remarks from two judicial nominees and voted 20-0 to advise and consent to Leonard H. Russin for the Court of Appeals and Leslie A. Lewis for the Third District Court.
The Utah State Senate convened a special session called by the governor in December 1990 to consider two judicial nominations and voted to advise and consent to both appointments.
The Senate approved Leonard H. Russin to the Court of Appeals and Leslie A. Lewis to the Third District Court after brief remarks from each nominee and supportive comments from senators. A roll call recorded 20 ayes, 0 nays and 9 absentees.
The governor transmitted the appointments under section 67-1-1 and -2, Utah Code Annotated (1953), requesting immediate action so the nominees would have the constitutional and legal authority to assume duties if advised and consented. The clerk read the letter naming Russin to replace Richard Davidson (resigned) on the Court of Appeals and Lewis to replace Raymond Uno (retired) on the Third District Court.
During a Committee of the Whole, Leonard H. Russin described his judicial philosophy as favoring separation of powers and judicial restraint, saying judges should "apply the law that legislators pass." Leslie A. Lewis described her background in prosecution and civil litigation and likewise emphasized her intention to "apply the laws rather than make them from the bench." Both nominees thanked the Senate for the opportunity to serve.
Senators spoke in support of the nominees, citing trial experience, familiarity with judicial administration, and the benefits of recent increases in judicial salaries that the Senate said improved candidate quality. Judiciary committee leadership reported having received resumes and no objections from senators by the published deadline and said no public hearing was necessary.
A senator moved to advise and consent to the governor's recommendations; the Senate ordered a roll call and approved the motion 20-0 with nine senators absent. Following the vote, the chamber proceeded to farewell remarks for departing members before adjourning sine die.
The appointments will take effect in accordance with constitutional and statutory provisions now that the Senate has advised and consented.
