Concerns arise over judge's defeat

Governor blames nominee's rejection on partisan politics

Published: Tuesday, Nov. 25, 2008 12:13 a.m. MST
 |  E-MAIL | PRINT | FONT + - 
The unusual and turbulent rejection of Judge Robert Hilder for a spot on the Utah Court of Appeals has sent shivers through the legal community with many legal experts wondering if the process Hilder underwent will produce long-term ill effects.

The Senate last week, for the first time in recent memory, voted 16-12 against confirming Hilder for a slot on the appellate bench after some legislators inquired into the judge's divorce and criticized Hilder's "demeanor."

Many Utah attorneys and others who work in the courts were puzzled by the questions about divorce and flabbergasted at remarks about Hilder's demeanor since his courtroom behavior is polite and even-tempered to the point of being almost old-fashioned in its courtliness.

Some Utah legislators, however, criticized the 3rd District judge for what they termed showing a hot temper and getting red-faced during closed-door questioning. Those same lawmakers downplayed their concerns over what they've called an anti-gun rights ruling by Hilder.

Gov. Jon Huntsman Jr. on Monday blamed "partisan political considerations" for the defeat, noting that the newly elected Senate majority leadership waited until after the vote to finalize committee assignments.

Story continues below
The governor said that under the Utah Constitution, judges are supposed to be selected "without regard for any political considerations. That, to my mind, means that political gamesmanship will not be part of something as important as a judgeship."

But Huntsman instead said some lawmakers who promised him they'd vote for Hilder ended up voting against the judge — including outgoing Senate President John Valentine, R-Orem.

Valentine said he had initially supported Hilder, but he told the governor's office he'd changed his mind after the nominee "was very harsh with me." He dismissed the idea that the vote on Hilder was used to help senators get the committee assignments they wanted.

"That had nothing to do with it," Valentine said. "Normally, we vote yes for the governor's appointments. You get the benefit of the doubt. But when the evidence starts mounting, people get nervous about voting yes."

Huntsman said he isn't going to allow the vote to affect how he views future nominees. Nor, the governor said, does he believe what happened to Hilder will affect the number or quality of applicants for the bench.

Others disagree.

"I do think this will have a chilling effect on future potential nominees," said Paul Cassell, a former federal judge and now a law professor at the University of Utah.

Recent comments

He LIED to the voters about his judges having less than 6 cases under...

Hilder is a fraud | Nov. 29, 2008 at 5:19 a.m.

Most judges in Utah are completely incompetent and corrupt. Everyone...

Personal Injury Attorney | Nov. 28, 2008 at 9:07 p.m.

As I understand the U gun case, Judge Hilder decided that the...

Jim Dexter | Nov. 26, 2008 at 11:39 a.m.

previousnext

Latest comments

That game was amazing! I think this will really help the sport grow in Utah....

Real Champions

Congrats on a great win. Utah as a whole should be proud not just of a major...

Congrats Real Salt Lake! but, they aren't the first major sports team to...

RSL regroups, dominates 2nd half

I told ALL of you how much i liked NED Pure irony his contributions vs x...

RSL wins MLS Cup on penalty kicks

this is to NevadaUTE @ 10:25!!! I love soccer, I love Real and it brought a...

Real Champions

wow!!! amazing. UTAH JAZZ DO SOMETHING!!!

Glenn Beck to enter politics?

So much fear and anger from Beck lovers. You all lost the last election, we...

RSL wins MLS Cup on penalty kicks

This is the most emotion I have had watching a sporting event since my...

Nicky Rimando is my hero! I love that guy. He has had his detractors, but...

Real Champions

Two stars means nothing! We played as a team and it showed! I'm still in...

Advertisements