Wages for judges decried

Utah's judiciary is facing a quality crisis, the chief justice of the Utah Supreme Court told lawmakers Monday, and the only solution is a pretty hefty pay increase for Utah's judges, she said.

In her annual State of the Judiciary address to the Utah Legislature, Chief Justice Christine M. Durham said more and more of Utah's attorneys seem disinterested in becoming judges, mainly because the pay is so much less than what they can make in the private sector and even less than legal positions within Utah's government — such as counsel for the governor and the Legislature.

"I have some concerns for the future," Durham said. "There is some reason to worry that the most able and experienced members of the bar do not aspire to serve on the bench to the degree they once did."

Durham pointed to a recent vacancy for a 7th District judge that attracted only five applicants. Utah law requires at least nine attorneys apply for the selection process to proceed. Durham said the position had to be reopened to search for more applicants. In the 3rd District, which covers Salt Lake City, only 24 attorneys applied for a judge position out of a total pool of 4,000 practicing attorneys.

"I know that no one becomes a judge to get rich," Durham said, "... but I am concerned about trends and morale." Some 11 percent of district judgeships have turned over in the past two years and 35 percent of all Utah judges are eligible to retire in the next four years.

Currently, district court judges make $114,004 while Court of Appeals judges are paid $120,100 and the five Supreme Court justices make $125,800 annually.

Historically, lawmakers have been reluctant to grant the raises asked by the courts. Last year, the Utah courts asked for a 7 percent increase and got 3 percent. The year before that, judges received a 1 percent boost.

This year, Durham said the courts are asking for an 11 percent raise.

At least one legislative leader agrees that in order to keep the quality of judges high, their salaries need a boost. Senate President John Valentine admitted convincing his colleagues a pay raise is needed for judges who make a six-figure income will be a challenge.

Durham addressed the public's view of the judicial system, noting a recent survey that showed nearly half of the respondents said television dramas were their major source of information about the courts. Durham said she did not want to compare the dedicated hard work of her judicial colleagues with the likes of the "Judge Judy" television show, which drew laughter from lawmakers.

A recent survey by the Utah State Bar showed 40 percent of attorneys interested in becoming judges indicated pay was a top concern.