Court Opinion

ID: 9849825
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2023-09-24 04:47:10.084699+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T09:20:26.668419
License: Public Domain

ZIMMERMAN, Justice,
concurring:
¶ 93 I agree with the basic proposition of the majority’s opinion that the appointment of legislators to the Commission by the President of the Senate and Speaker of the House and service by legislators on the Commission violate article V, section 1 and article VII, section 10 of the Utah Constitution. I also agree with Chief Justice Howe’s statement that service by legislators on the conduct commission implicates article VI, section 6 of the Utah Constitution.
¶ 94 I cannot agree with the majority opinion, however, because I cannot agree with some of its rhetoric regarding the nature of the legislative and judicial branches. I think it important to note that I find nothing in the record to suggest that service by legislators on the conduct commission has in any way affected the proceedings against Judge Young. However, the constitution prohibits establishment of structures that are inconsistent with Utah’s separation of powers doctrine, not merely actions by individuals which constitute evils at which the doctrine is directed.
¶ 95 I am sure that the legislature can and will remedy the defects of the Judicial *606Conduct Commission as presently constituted so it can continue to fulfill its important role in helping to assure the public that judges are subject to appropriate, nonpartisan oversight. See In re Worthen, 926 P.2d 853 (Utah 1996).