Lewis' cases given to other judges for now

Third District Judge Leslie Lewis has not returned to her courtroom and it is unclear when, or if, she will resume the bench until her term ends Jan. 1, 2007.

Lewis was out of town on previously planned vacation during the time she was defeated during a Nov. 7 retention election. She was due to be back in court Nov. 15, but instead her cases were distributed to other judges.

"All I can speak to is this week," said Nancy Volmer, public information officer for the Administrative Office of the Courts. "She did have 78 cases on her docket for part of this week, I believe from Wednesday on. It's been a difficult time for her. Her colleagues volunteered to step in and handle her cases for this week."

Volmer said she didn't know what will happen when court opens for the week of Nov. 20 but didn't rule out the possibility that other judges would be addressing Lewis' cases during that week as well.

"I don't want to speculate about the future," Volmer said.

She said the presiding judge typically handles scheduling for something such as this. The presiding judge is 3rd District Judge Sandra Peuler.

Voters removed Lewis from office following several recent controversies. In one situation, she had a man who was not charged with a crime handcuffed and placed in a holding cell after he heaved a sigh and left her courtroom while she was expressing her distaste for deer hunting.

An anonymous individual created a Web site that included a courtroom video clip showing Lewis berating the man and ordering him placed in custody, which lasted for about 20 minutes. The man has filed a complaint with the Judicial Conduct Commission.

In another situation, a defense attorney came forward with information that Lewis allegedly reduced a sex offender's sentence a month after his sentencing without telling prosecutors.

The Salt Lake County District Attorney's Office filed a complaint with the JCC over that claim. David Yocom, the district attorney, also previously said he will request that Lewis be recused from cases involving his office since it filed the JCC complaint and prosecutors might feel uneasy appearing before Lewis.

Meanwhile, applications are being accepted to appoint a new person to the bench, which is routine after a judge retires, steps down or is not re-elected.

Information is posted on the court system's Web site at www.utcourts.gov under "employment opportunities." Applicants can send forms to Margo Bird, Administrative Office of the Courts, P.O. Box 140241, Salt Lake City, UT 84414-0241, or can be faxed to 801-238-7814.

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E-mail: lindat@desnews.com