Utah Code Jud. Admin. R. 3-113

Intent:

To establish the responsibility to provide support services for active senior judges.

To provide for the compensation of active senior judges.

Applicability:

This rule shall apply to judicial employees and to active senior judges of courts of record.

Statement of the Rule:

(1) Support services.

(1)(A) Orientation. The Administrative Office shall provide a new senior judge orientation within three months of the appointment as active senior judge. The orientation shall include information on judicial assignments, forms, compensation, available training, and reappointment processes.

(1)(B) Services. The court executive of the court in which an active senior judge is serving shall make available services as would normally be needed in the performance of a judge's official duties.

(1)(C) Notice of appointment – assignment. The court executive of the court in which an active senior judge is serving shall execute the necessary notice of appointment for the case or matters to which the judge has been assigned. The order of assignment shall include the district the judge will serve, the court location, the assignment for which service is needed, and the signature and date of the presiding judge or the presiding judge’s designee. The order shall be sent to the state court administrator or designee.

(1)(D) Assistance. The court executive of the district in which an active senior judge serves shall provide the following assistance as needed:

(1)(D)(i) administrative services;

(1)(D)(ii) orientation on case management system, district processes, and equipment;

(1)(D)(iii) access to electronic files, court documents, and a computer;

(1)(D)(iv) travel arrangements; and

(1)(D)(v) preparation of reimbursement vouchers.

(2) Compensation. Active senior judges shall be compensated at the rate and for the services and duties as set forth herein.

(2)(A) Compensation for the performance of judicial duties related to the assignment of cases, service on a grand jury panel, service on court committees, service on court projects, rules and policies, or the mentoring of a new judge shall be at an hourly rate equal to the hourly rate of a trial court judge, and shall be paid in half-day increments.

(2)(B) Compensation for all other duties, such as attendance at Board meetings and educational functions required by court rules shall be paid at the rate of $50.00 per half day (1-4 hours) and $100.00 per full day (over 4 hours).

(2)(C) For travel required in the performance of judicial duties related to assigned cases or calendars, senior judges shall be compensated for travel time in excess of one and one-half hours round trip at the hourly rate of a trial court judge, and for expenses, e.g., per diem, mileage, and lodging, at the rates allowed for state employees. Active senior judges are required, as court employees, to complete the Defensive Driver Training every two years.

(2)(D) For travel required in the performance of judicial duties not related to an assigned case, senior judges shall be compensated:

(2)(D)(i) for round-trip travel time as follows:

(2)(D)(i)(a) 0 - 1.5 hours: No payment

(2)(D)(ii)(b) 1.5 - 5.5 hours: $25.00

(2)(D)(iii)(c) More than 5.5 hours: $50.00

(2)(D)(ii) for expenses, e.g., per diem, mileage, and lodging, at the rates allowed for state employees.

(2)(E) Because senior judges do not have access to state vehicles, mileage shall be paid at the higher rate according to the state travel policy.

(2)(F) Except for the incentive benefit in rule 3-501, compensation shall not include any form of benefits, i.e., state retirement contributions, medical or life insurance premiums, etc.