House adopts censure resolution for Judge Torgerson after months of complaints

The Utah House adopted HR 8 on March 2, 2026, a resolution admonishing and censuring Judge Torgerson for comments he made during a May 2025 sentencing that many members described as inappropriate and insensitive to victims. Representative McPherson, sponsor of the resolution, told the House the remarks included statements minimizing child abuse and said the judiciary’s duty to promote public confidence was at stake.

Debate centered on the seriousness of the judge’s comments, the record of prior complaints, and whether formal legislative censure was an appropriate remedy. Supporters—including Representatives Lisonbee, Perucci and Schultz—detailed the content of the sentencing hearing and described a lack of public apology from the judge; Representative Perucci emphasized that complaints had been brought to the Judicial Conduct Commission and that members nonetheless felt further public action was necessary. Opponents such as Representative Grant Miller urged caution and noted procedural norms, saying the House rarely uses censure and that process and context matter.

Representative McPherson urged colleagues to consider how they would feel if the judge had spoken about one of their children in the same manner and pointed to the Judicial Conduct Commission’s private reprimand as insufficient public accountability. After debate the House voted 67 in favor and 3 against to adopt HR 8; the resolution will be signed by the speaker and sent to staff for enrolling.

What happens next: The censure is a formal legislative admonishment and will be part of the public record; it does not on its own remove a judge from the bench but communicates the House’s finding of concern to the public and judicial oversight institutions.