Court Opinion

ID: 9564091
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2023-08-21 18:54:13.134393+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T09:18:13.577806
License: Public Domain

STEWART, Justice
(concurring in Justice MAUGHAN’S dissent in part):
Although the issue was not raised on appeal, the failure of the juvenile court to make adequate findings of fact and conclusions of law presents an issue which should properly be addressed sua sponte by this Court. The juvenile court entered only the most conclusionary findings as to the ultimate legal issues. It is axiomatic that this Court is not in the business of reviewing evidence, especially when the credibility of witnesses is at stake. The juvenile court clearly has an undeniable advantage in assessing the evidence in this case, and this Court ought not attempt a reassessment from our disadvantaged position. Furthermore, it is not possible for this Court to fulfill its proper appellate function unless Rule 52(a) of the Utah Rules of Civil Procedure, which requires findings of fact and conclusions of law, is complied with. The requirement that a trial court make findings of fact and conclusions of law relates directly to the integrity and proper functioning of the judicial system, at both the trial and the appellate levels. Accordingly, I concur in the dissenting opinion of Justice Maughan to the extent that he would hold that the juvenile court should have made appropriate subordinate findings of fact.
However, I do not concur with Justice Maughan in deciding that the burden of proving the acts alleged beyond a reasonable doubt cannot be sustained. That is a question for the juvenile court after entry of detailed findings and the application of controlling legal principles.