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 Mickelsen met these standards:
- He participated annually in no less than 30 hours of continuing legal education for each year of his current term;
- He held no cases under advisement for more than two months; and
- 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 Mickelsen.
Judge Scott J. Mickelsen was appointed to the Bluffdale Justice Court in May 2012. He is a 36-year veteran of law enforcement. Judge Mickelsen earned a Master of Criminal Justice Degree and has served as an adjunct professor at two Utah universities, teaching ethics, management, and other courses. He is a former hostage negotiator with particular expertise in conflict resolution. Judge Mickelsen has worked as a division commander in patrol, court security, administrative support, and many other assignments and special projects, and is a graduate of the FBI National Academy. He has worked with youth in the community teaching principles of law enforcement and citizenship. Judge Mickelsen created “Officer Friendly” programs for implementation into elementary school curriculum and taught criminal justice to youth in area high schools.