Appointed to the bench in 2006, Judge Vernice Trease receives outstanding evaluations from survey respondents, earning scores well above the average of her district court peers in all survey categories. Many survey respondents describe her as one of the best judges before whom they’ve appeared. They view her as exceptionally knowledgeable and note that she is a well-prepared, confident, hard-working judge, respectful of everyone who appears before her and fair to all. From a list, survey respondents choose 96% positive words to describe her. Courtroom observers view Judge Trease positively, reporting that she listens carefully and remains calm and undistracted by her busy and chaotic courtroom. All observers say they would feel comfortable appearing before her. Of survey respondents answering the retention question, 94% recommend retention for Judge Trease.
The commission reviewed surveys and courtroom observation reports in addition to verifying that Judge Trease has met all time standards, judicial education requirements, and discipline standards established by the judicial branch.
Judge Vernice S. Trease was appointed to the Third District Court in 2006 by Gov. Jon M. Huntsman, Jr. Judge Trease graduated with a B.A. from Lewis and Clark College and a Juris Doctorate from the University of Utah College of Law. Prior to her appointment, Judge Trease practiced law with the Salt Lake Legal Defender Association. She has received the UMBA Community Service Award and the 2012 Woman Lawyer of the Year Award. Judge Trease has served on various committees including the Domestic and Sexual Violence Justice Planning Group, and Language Access Committee. She currently serves on Advisory Committees on the Rules of Criminal Procedure, Rules of Professional Conduct, Task Force on Indigency Representation, and Sentencing Commission. Judge Trease presides over a Mental Health Court.