Appointed to the Washington County Justice Court in 2014, Judge Ronald L. Read’s scores are consistent with his peers on all scored minimum performance standards. All survey respondents recommend him for retention. Most respondents express confidence in Judge Read’s abilities, noting he is a competent judge who takes his job seriously. Respondents and courtroom observers commend the judge for ensuring the understanding of those in court. All observers report confidence that if appearing before him, they would expect to be treated fairly.
However, Judge Read does not meet the judiciary’s minimum performance standard governing timeliness of opinions. After a meeting with Judge Read, the commission is satisfied that the cases exceeding the time standard were confined to his initial period on the bench and that the judge has implemented changes in his practices to avoid future violations. This judge meets discipline standards set by statute and has been certified by the Judicial Council as meeting education requirements and mental and physical competence standards.
Judge Ronald L. Read was appointed to the Washington County Justice Court bench in September 2014 and to the Orderville Justice Court bench in November 2017. He received a B.S. degree from Southern Utah State College in 1981 and a Juris Doctor from the University of Utah S.J. Quinney College of Law in 1990. Following law school Judge Read served as a law clerk for Judges Marion J. Callister, Mikel H. Williams, and Larry M. Boyle at the United States District Court for the District of Idaho. Judge Read then returned to Southern Utah to practice law, initially with the law firm of Hughes & Read, next as the Assistant City Attorney for the City of St. George and then with Read & Wright.