This is an archived article that was published on sltrib.com in 2015, and information in the article may be outdated. It is provided only for personal research purposes and may not be reprinted.

District Judge Randall Skanchy has been named presiding judge for the 3rd District Court for a two-year term, court officials announced Thursday.

Skanchy replaces Judge Royal Hansen who completed his term in July. Judge Ryan Harris has been named associate presiding judge.

The presiding judges are responsible for the effective operation of their courts. According to court rules, presiding judges are responsible for implementation and enforcement of statutes, rules, policies and directives of the Utah Judicial Council as they pertain to the administration of the courts. The presiding judge also is responsible for assigning cases and judges.

Presiding judges and associate presiding judges are elected by a majority vote of the judges of their court. When the presiding judge is unavailable, the associate presiding judge assumes his or her responsibilities.