Attorney to lead juvenile justice

Michele Christiansen, an assistant U.S. attorney since 1998, has been named executive director of the Commission on Criminal and Juvenile Justice by Gov.-elect Jon Huntsman Jr.

Huntsman, who will be sworn in on Jan. 3, announced the appointment this week.

"We are thrilled with Michele's willingness to lend her considerable talent and experience to an office as important to Utah as the Commission on Criminal and Juvenile Justice," he said. "The legal community as well as all citizens will benefit from Michele's public service."

Christiansen has prosecuted cases involving crimes against children for the U.S. Attorney's Office for nearly five years. She has also served as a volunteer guardian ad litem for the Administrative Office of the Courts since 1996.

She will replace Ed McConkie as the executive director of the commission, which debates and makes policy recommendations on issues related to crime.