Applications are now open for a full-time justice court judge position serving Salt Lake City, according to an April 29 announcement. The role will fill a new judgeship recently approved by the Utah Judicial Council.
This vacancy is significant as it addresses judicial needs in Salt Lake City and follows established procedures for appointing new judges. Candidates must be at least 25 years old, U.S. citizens, residents of Utah for at least three years, and hold a law degree qualifying them to apply for admission to any state bar in the United States. Applicants must also reside in Salt Lake County or an adjacent county either upon appointment or before taking office.
The application process is conducted online, with details about judicial retention and performance evaluation available on the Utah State Courts’ official website. The salary for this position is $200,210.40 per year with benefits. The deadline to apply is Friday, May 29, 2026, at 11:59 p.m., and applications submitted after this time will not be considered. Questions about employment can be directed to Kelsey Evans of Salt Lake City’s Human Resources department or Jim Peters, Justice Court Administrator.
Utah law requires that the Judicial Nominating Commission submit at least three nominees to Mayor Erin Mendenhall within 45 days of its first meeting. Mayor Mendenhall then has up to 30 days to select a finalist whose appointment must be ratified by the Salt Lake City Council and certified by the Utah Judicial Council.
The Utah State Courts system includes justices who serve renewable ten-year terms according to the official website. These courts provide educational resources aimed at enhancing public understanding of the justice system as per the official website and maintain facilities across eight judicial districts throughout Utah per the official website. The system comprises two appellate courts as well as trial courts distributed among these districts as outlined on the official website. According to their mission statement, they aim “to deliver an open, fair and efficient justice system” according to the official website, under leadership from five Supreme Court justices who elect a chief justice from among themselves as per the official website.
