Utah's Judges: Why Politics Should Stay Out of the Courts

Utah's lawmakers are cooking up some controversial ideas that could shake up the state's courts. They're thinking about letting the governor pick judges without going through the usual process. Right now, a panel of experts suggests names, and the governor picks from that list. But this new plan could let the governor choose anyone they want, which might not be fair. Another idea is to add two more justices to the Utah Supreme Court. The people who support this say it will make things run smoother. But the current justices say it won't speed things up. It might just make the court more political. There's also a proposal to make it harder for judges to keep their jobs. Right now, judges need a simple majority to stay in office. But this new rule would require a supermajority of 67%. That could let a small group of people get rid of a judge they don't like, just because of one decision.Utah's way of picking and keeping judges is pretty good. It's based on merit, not politics. Judges go through a tough process to get their jobs. They need to have the right education, experience, and references. The public can even give their opinion. The founders of the United States knew how important it is to keep courts independent. That's why they made sure federal judges have job security. Independent courts can make fair decisions, even if they go against what the government wants. If Utah's courts become more political, it could be bad for everyone. People need to trust that the courts will treat them fairly. That's important for both personal and business matters. A fair court system is something our economy and society rely on.