Senate confirms two Second District judges; both speak to priorities for youth and rule of law

The Utah Senate on Jan. 29 confirmed two Second District judges: Janice L. Frost as a judge of the Second District Juvenile Court and Michael D. DeRita as a Second District judge.

The chamber received a gubernatorial communication transmitting Frost’s appointment and the Senate Judiciary Committee’s favorable recommendation. Senator Butters moved consent for Frost’s appointment; the motion passed by voice and a subsequent roll-call confirmation returned 25 yea votes, 0 nay and 4 absent. The presiding officer announced the confirmation and congratulated Frost.

After the Senate resolved into a Committee of the Whole to hear the newly confirmed judges, Janice L. Frost addressed the senators. Frost thanked committee members and supporters, recognized family in the gallery and praised mentors including Justice Michael Wilkins and Judge Diane Wilkins. She said the juvenile bench would be her primary focus: “This is not for me just about being a judge. It’s about being a juvenile court judge,” she said, pledging to serve children and families with honor and compassion.

Michael D. DeRita also spoke to the Committee of the Whole, introduced his family and colleagues, and pledged to uphold the rule of law and to be “firm but fair.” DeRita thanked Governor John M. Huntsman Jr. and singled out Judge Bob Yates for assistance during the confirmation process.

Following their remarks the Committee of the Whole was dissolved by a motion that carried without objection. The Senate’s recorded roll-call tallies and the formal consent motions are part of the official journal for Jan. 29.

Both confirmations were routine consent items and no recorded opposition to the appointments was announced on the floor. The judges will assume the duties associated with their respective Second District assignments.