Utah's top court fills seat on commission

The Utah Supreme Court has appointed Judge Royal I. Hansen to serve on the Judicial Conduct Commission, filling the balance of the term of Judge Darwin C. Hansen, who is retiring from the bench Dec. 31.

Judge Darwin Hansen's term on the commission expires June 30, 2008. At that time, the Utah Supreme Court will consider reappointing Judge Royal Hansen to a four-year term.

Under Utah law, the Supreme Court is required to appoint two judges and two attorneys to the Judicial Conduct Commission. One of the judges must be a member of the Utah Court of Appeals, and the other a judge from the district or juvenile court bench. The attorneys must be members in good standing with the Utah State Bar and cannot reside in the same judicial district.

The Judicial Conduct Commission was established in 1984 and is empowered by the Utah Constitution to investigate and conduct confidential hearings regarding complaints against state, county and municipal judges throughout the state.