The new court position was created during the 2023 legislative session when state lawmakers increased the number of juvenile judges in the 4th District from five to six.

During a February committee meeting, state Sen. Todd Weiler, R-Woods Cross, who sponsored the bill adding the position, said an additional juvenile judge was needed in the district to keep up with child welfare cases in the area.

According to a press release, the nominees are Jared Anderson, attorney and owner of Anderson Law; Erik Jacobson, an attorney at Moody Brown Law; Juab County Attorney Ryan Peters; J. Edward Jones, attorney at the Law Office of J. Edward Jones; and Alan Sevison, Southern Section director in the Utah Attorney General’s Office.

The public will have the opportunity to send written comments to the 4th District Judicial Nominating Commission with any thoughts or concerns about the nominees. The public comment period will be open until Sept. 21 at noon.

After the comment period, the commission may investigate or request more information on the nominees based on the comments received. After this, the commission will send the names to Gov. Spencer Cox, who will then have 30 days to select a nominee for appointment. The governor’s choice will then have to be approved by the Utah Senate.

The 4th District court contains Utah, Millard, Wasatch and Juab counties. Public comments can be emailed to judicialvacancies@utah.gov or sent to the Commission on Criminal and Juvenile Justice, P.O. Box 142330, Salt Lake City, UT 84114.