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Judicial Conduct Commission Reports Increased Complaints After Online Portal; Seeks Statutory Cleanups
Summary
Alex G. Peterson, executive director of the Utah Judicial Conduct Commission, reported increased complaint volume after an online portal expansion and proposed statutory wording changes to reduce conflicts of interest when the same actor both refers and rules on a suspension.
Alex G. Peterson, executive director of the Utah Judicial Conduct Commission, presented the commission’s annual briefing to the subcommittee and described trends in complaint volume and statutory alignment recommendations.
Peterson said opening access via an online portal increased complaints—"In FY 18, we had 58 complaints; by the end of the fiscal year I expect to be about 204 complaints"—and that dispositions remained steady. He said the commission will propose statutory language to align with GRAMA and to address a perceived conflict when the chief justice suspends a judge and later participates in final disposition; Peterson said the commission’s practice has been to use the Administrative Office of the Courts (AOC) to remove conflicts in those cases.
Peterson described national trends—social media disclosures and the so‑called "Persky phenomenon," where high‑profile cases generate many reactive complaints—and defended Utah’s model that includes legislative members on the commission as a balance of independence and accountability.
Committee members asked about public disclosures of judicial conflicts and how the commission investigates donations or political activity; Peterson said the commission investigates complaints and would follow up if a conflict were alleged. Senator Brammer (online) praised Peterson’s stewardship and the commission’s work.
No funding increase was requested during this presentation; Peterson said the commission expects to be adequately funded and will make statutory alignment proposals through the regular bill process.
