Shall DOUGLAS JOHN NIELSEN be retained in the office of Judge of the Juvenile Court of the Fourth Juvenile Court 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,
Douglas John Nielsen
Nonpartisan · Incumbent · Official site
Fourth District Juvenile Court judge since 2016, appointed by Governor Herbert. He was a justice court judge in Lehi and Alpine/Highland from 2013 and formed the law firm Petro & Nielsen in 2010.
Track record
Track record — Impartiality
Impartiality · 2 favorable
Received a 12-0 vote to retain from the Utah Judicial Performance Evaluation Commission in the report it shows voters for his 2026 retention question. He passed all 8 minimum standards, and 100% of surveyed court users recommended keeping him. He scored above his juvenile court peers in all four survey areas, including legal ability and fairness.
October 15, 2026Favorable on Impartiality
Source: judges.utah.gov
Received a 13-0 vote to retain from the Utah Judicial Performance Evaluation Commission in its 2020 report on his juvenile court work. He passed all 8 minimum standards, and 98% of surveyed court users recommended keeping him. He scored above his peers on legal ability and on administrative skills.
July 13, 2020Favorable on Impartiality
Source: utahjpec.file.force.com
Track record — Legal Competence
Legal Competence · 2 favorable
Received a 12-0 vote to retain from the Utah Judicial Performance Evaluation Commission in the report it shows voters for his 2026 retention question. He passed all 8 minimum standards, and 100% of surveyed court users recommended keeping him. He scored above his juvenile court peers in all four survey areas, including legal ability and fairness.
October 15, 2026Favorable on Legal Competence
Source: judges.utah.gov
Received a 13-0 vote to retain from the Utah Judicial Performance Evaluation Commission in its 2020 report on his juvenile court work. He passed all 8 minimum standards, and 98% of surveyed court users recommended keeping him. He scored above his peers on legal ability and on administrative skills.
July 13, 2020Favorable on Legal Competence
Source: utahjpec.file.force.com
Sources: vote.utah.gov2