Utah Supreme Court

Douglas Stewart Carter is asking a judge to throw out his aggravated murder case. The Utah Supreme Court last year ordered a new trial due to misconduct by investigators.

Speaking to the Utah State Bar, Justice Petersen reviewed the just-finished 2026 legislative session and defended judicial independence.

The justices didn’t wade into the substance of the case, but dismissed the appeal because it was procedurally improper.

In addition to adding two justices to the state’s highest court, the law also adds judges to the Utah Court of Appeals and three of the state’s eight district courts.

The court of State Street is now in session. We ask the Legislature to approach the bench and unpack their arguments for adding more justices to the Utah Supreme Court.

A bill separate from the Utah Supreme Court proposal wants to add more judges for district courts, the juvenile court and the Court of Appeals. It’s an idea with broader agreement.

Among other judiciary changes, lawmakers will consider expanding the Utah Supreme Court by two justices. “We apply a presumption of good faith to the work you do,” Chief Justice Matthew Durrant told lawmakers. “I hope you will accord us that same presumption.”

Republican leaders say expanding the state’s highest court from five to seven justices makes practical sense for a growing state, but others see it as flirting dangerously with court packing.

Third District Court Judge Dianna Gibson says until the Utah Supreme Court weighs in, there will be a “cloud” over the state’s 2026 midterm elections.

One GOP lawmaker characterized a judge's ruling that redrew the state’s congressional map as a “gross miscarriage of justice.” The main point of the session was to buy time for an appeal to the Utah Supreme Court.

GOP lawmakers want the Utah Supreme Court to overturn the new map before the 2026 midterms.

Threats to judges are nothing new, but political pressure after recent high-profile rulings risks courts becoming “arenas of political retribution,” according to the American Bar Association.