Judges scheduled to meet in Price to hear grand jury testimony

This is an archived article that was published on sltrib.com in 2014, and information in the article may be outdated. It is provided only for personal research purposes and may not be reprinted.

A panel of judges is scheduled to meet on May 8 in Price, to hear testimony to determine if reasonable cause exists to call a grand jury. The meeting will take place in the 7th District Courthouse, 149 E. 100 South, in Price.

Those wanting to testify before the panel of judges should contact District Court Administrator Debra Moore at 801-578-3800 by April 30, to schedule an appointment. If no appointments are scheduled by April 30, the meeting will be canceled without further notice.

The purpose of the hearings is to determine if a grand jury needs to be summoned based on evidence of criminal activity. The panel of judges will hear evidence pertaining to alleged crimes occurring state-wide.

Individuals testifying must be prepared to give evidence to support claims that justify calling a grand jury.

Controversies between individual parties will not be considered. Individuals who need special accommodations during the hearing must notify the court at least three business days prior to the hearing.

Utah's Grand Jury Statute requires a panel of judges selected from throughout the state to hold hearings in each judicial district every three years.

The Grand Jury Panel is comprised of the following judges: Supervising Judge Terry Christiansen, 3rd District Court; Judge Steven Hansen, 4th District Court; Judge Eric Ludlow, 5th District Court; Judge Kate Toomey, 3rd District Court; and Judge W. Brent West, 2nd District Court.

The attorney general, a county attorney, district attorney, or special prosecutor appointed under U.C.A. section 77-10a-1 can also present evidence of criminal activity. The panel of judges will hear, in secret, all persons claiming information that justifies calling a grand jury. All individuals appearing before the panel of judges will be placed under oath. If a grand jury is summoned, the jurors will be called from the state-at-large or any judicial district within the state.