Shall JENNIFER LYN VALENCIA be retained in the office of Judge of the District Court of the Second Judicial District?
What does this office do?
- Deciding trials in the county
- Ruling on evidence and setting sentences in criminal cases
- Deciding family, probate, and civil disputes
Affects: Public Safety and Crime Control, Criminal Justice and Civil Liberties, Housing Affordability,
Jennifer Lyn Valencia
Nonpartisan · Incumbent · Official site
Second District Court judge since 2017, appointed by Governor Gary R. Herbert. She was an Assistant Utah Attorney General, a Salt Lake County Deputy District Attorney, and Director of the Utah Sentencing Commission.
Track record
Track record — General
General · 1 record
Was appointed by Governor Gary Herbert to the Second District Court, which serves Davis, Morgan and Weber counties. She was then the director of the Utah Sentencing Commission, after earlier work as a state and county prosecutor.
May 29, 2017
Source: utahpolicy.com
Track record — Impartiality
Impartiality · 2 favorable
Received a 12-0 vote from the Utah Judicial Performance Evaluation Commission, which found she meets its standards, in the report it shows voters for her 2026 retention question. She passed all 8 minimum standards, and 83% of surveyed court users recommended keeping her. She scored below other district judges on legal ability and administrative skills.
October 15, 2026Favorable on Impartiality
Source: judges.utah.gov
Received a vote of 12 to retain, 0 against and 1 abstaining from the Utah Judicial Performance Evaluation Commission in its 2020 report. She passed all 8 minimum standards, and 87% of surveyed court users recommended keeping her. Some said she could improve her skills in civil law.
July 14, 2020Favorable on Impartiality
Source: utahjpec.file.force.com
Track record — Legal Competence
Legal Competence · 2 favorable
Received a 12-0 vote from the Utah Judicial Performance Evaluation Commission, which found she meets its standards, in the report it shows voters for her 2026 retention question. She passed all 8 minimum standards, and 83% of surveyed court users recommended keeping her. She scored below other district judges on legal ability and administrative skills.
October 15, 2026Favorable on Legal Competence
Source: judges.utah.gov
Received a vote of 12 to retain, 0 against and 1 abstaining from the Utah Judicial Performance Evaluation Commission in its 2020 report. She passed all 8 minimum standards, and 87% of surveyed court users recommended keeping her. Some said she could improve her skills in civil law.
July 14, 2020Favorable on Legal Competence
Source: utahjpec.file.force.com
Sources: vote.utah.gov2