Judge Randall Skanchy is an experienced judge who scores on par with his district court peers in all survey categories. Survey respondents and courtroom observers regard him as knowledgeable, well-prepared, fair, and open-minded. Many survey respondents view Judge Skanchy as an effective manager of a sometimes overburdened daily court schedule. Some respondents, however, describe his temperament as unpredictable, at times marked by impatience and rudeness to people in his court. Courtroom observers are enthusiastically positive, reporting that Judge Skanchy demonstrates genuine concern for each defendant, carefully balancing encouragement with accountability. All observers state they would feel comfortable appearing before him in court. Of 84 survey respondents answering the retention question, 77 (92%) recommend that Judge Skanchy be retained.
The commission reviewed surveys and courtroom observation reports in addition to verifying that Judge Skanchy has met all time standards, judicial education requirements, and discipline standards established by the judicial branch.
Judge Randall N. Skanchy was appointed to the Third District Court in 2001. After earning his law degree from Brigham Young University in 1980, Judge Skanchy practiced law as a civil trial litigator for 21 years. He served as chair of the Utah Food Bank from 1996-1999, and serves as an adjunct professor for the School of Business and Economics at Weber State University. Judge Skanchy is a current member of the Utah Judicial Council and past member of the Board of District Court Judges. He now serves as Presiding Judge of the Third District Court and handles a felony criminal calendar and a Felony Drug Court.