Appointed to the bench in 2013, Judge Renee Jimenez scores higher than the average of her juvenile court peers in administrative skills and consistent with her peers in all other survey categories. Survey respondents describe her as a fair, well-prepared judge who runs a timely courtroom and shows consistent respect to all. They say she puts people at ease while still maintaining her authority. From a list, survey respondents select 98% positive adjectives to describe Judge Jimenez, emphasizing her calm, polite, and receptive manner. Courtroom observers report that Judge Jimenez runs a business-like courtroom yet maintains a non-threatening courtroom atmosphere. They note that she listens intently and seems well-informed about each case before her. Of survey respondents answering the retention question, 98% recommend that Judge Jimenez be retained.
The commission reviewed surveys and courtroom observation reports in addition to verifying that Judge Jimenez has met all time standards, judicial education requirements, and discipline standards established by the judicial branch.
Judge Renee Jimenez was appointed to the Third District Juvenile Court in 2013 by Gov. Gary Herbert. She received an undergraduate degree from the University of Utah in 1988 and a law degree from the University of Utah College of Law in 1991. Until her appointment to the bench, Judge Jimenez worked for the Utah Attorney General’s Office in the Division of Child and Family Support and in the Child Protection Division. She has served on the Utah Supreme Court’s Ethics and Discipline Diversion Committee, the Judicial Ethics Advisory Committee, the advisory committee on Disproportionate Minority Contact and the Juvenile Court eFiling Steering Committee. Judge Jimenez also presides over a Family Dependency Drug Court.