Part-time justice court judges standing for retention in 2016 are required to meet three minimum performance standards adopted by the judicial branch and enacted by the legislature.

Judge Beesley met these standards:

1. He participated annually in no less than 30 hours of continuing legal education for each year of his current term;
2. He held no cases under advisement for more than two months; and
3. He has not been the subject of any public reprimands issued by the Judicial Conduct Commission or the Utah Supreme Court during his term of office.

Based solely on compliance with these standards, the commission recommends retention for Judge Beesley.

Judge James L. Beesley was appointed to the Plain City Justice Court in July 1988. Prior to his appointment to the bench, Judge Beesley was a member of the City Council for Plain City and served in the Utah National Guard Special Forces unit as an army medic. He is currently the treasurer for the Utah Justice Courts Association and a member of the Utah Bail Committee.