Shall TODD SHAUGHNESSY be retained in the office of Judge of the District Court of the Third 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,
Todd Shaughnessy
Nonpartisan · Incumbent · Official site
Third District Court judge since 2011, appointed by Governor Gary Herbert. He clerked for the Utah Supreme Court and was a partner at Snell & Wilmer in Salt Lake City.
Track record
Track record — General
General · 3 records
Sentenced Jayson Chase to life in prison without parole for the 2019 execution-style murder of Angela Montoya, a stranger, after a jury convicted him of aggravated murder.
February 24, 2023
Source: ksl.com
Dismissed felony gun charges against Jon Michael Clara, who fired at a truck that hit his car, under Utah's new self-defense law. He said the law tied his hands, called it a case a jury should decide, and urged prosecutors to appeal.
March 4, 2022
Source: ksl.com
Was confirmed by the Utah Senate, 25-0, as a judge of the Third District Court on July 20, 2011. Governor Gary Herbert had appointed him on May 23, 2011.
July 20, 2011
Source: le.utah.gov
Track record — Impartiality
Impartiality · 3 favorable
Received an 11-0 vote from the Utah Judicial Performance Evaluation Commission, which found he meets its standards, in the report it shows voters for his 2026 retention question. He passed all 8 minimum standards and scored above his peers on integrity, temperament and administrative skills. 94% of surveyed court users recommended keeping him.
October 15, 2026Favorable on Impartiality
Source: judges.utah.gov
Received a 12-0 vote to retain from the Utah Judicial Performance Evaluation Commission in its 2020 report. He passed all 8 minimum standards and scored above his peers on procedural fairness. 96% of surveyed court users recommended keeping him.
July 14, 2020Favorable on Impartiality
Source: utahjpec.file.force.com
Received a 12-0 vote to retain from the Utah Judicial Performance Evaluation Commission in its 2014 report. He scored above the average of his district court peers in every survey category, and 97% of surveyed court users recommended keeping him.
May 15, 2014Favorable on Impartiality
Source: utahjpec.file.force.com
Track record — Legal Competence
Legal Competence · 3 favorable
Received an 11-0 vote from the Utah Judicial Performance Evaluation Commission, which found he meets its standards, in the report it shows voters for his 2026 retention question. He passed all 8 minimum standards and scored above his peers on integrity, temperament and administrative skills. 94% of surveyed court users recommended keeping him.
October 15, 2026Favorable on Legal Competence
Source: judges.utah.gov
Received a 12-0 vote to retain from the Utah Judicial Performance Evaluation Commission in its 2020 report. He passed all 8 minimum standards and scored above his peers on procedural fairness. 96% of surveyed court users recommended keeping him.
July 14, 2020Favorable on Legal Competence
Source: utahjpec.file.force.com
Received a 12-0 vote to retain from the Utah Judicial Performance Evaluation Commission in its 2014 report. He scored above the average of his district court peers in every survey category, and 97% of surveyed court users recommended keeping him.
May 15, 2014Favorable on Legal Competence
Source: utahjpec.file.force.com
Sources: vote.utah.gov2