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# David R. Hamilton

Utah Active Senior Judges · Senior Judge

## Profile

- Court: Utah Active Senior Judges
- State: Utah
- Role: Senior Judge
- Service status: senior
- Last verified: 2026-07-26

## Summary

Official statewide and applicable court procedural guidance applies to this judge.

## Biography

### Professional career

- Senior district court judge in Utah’s Second Judicial District, serving Davis, Morgan, and Weber counties since 2010

### Education

- in, University of Utah School of Law — J.D. (1978)

### Additional information

- Retention election in 2014 with 78% of the vote
- Appointed to the Second District Court in Utah in July 2010 by Governor Gary R. Herbert.
- Before joining the judiciary, Hamilton practiced law in private practice for 32 years, most recently as a solo practitioner at David R. Hamilton, P.C.
- Positive performance evaluations from the Utah Judicial Performance Evaluation Commission
- Official bio: Utah State Courts – Judge David R. Hamilton.
- His work focused on insurance defense, collections, family law, and mediation.
- He also served for over 10 years as chair of the Fund for Client Protection (Client Security Fund) with the Utah State Bar and was past president of the Weber County Bar Association.
- His legal career combined public service, private practice, and community leadership.
- He presides over cases in Davis, Morgan, and Weber counties and has been retained in his position through subsequent terms.
- He is recognized for his contributions to client protection and local bar association initiatives.

## Before you appear

- Read the judge-specific standing order first when one is listed.
- Check the docket and case orders for requirements that supersede broader guidance.
- Confirm current remote-access and courtroom technology arrangements before the proceeding.

## Courtroom Rules

### electronic media coverage

Scope: statewide

Utah permits electronic media coverage of public proceedings under statewide UCJA procedures, including proceedings conducted by remote transmission.

Evidence excerpt: This rule governs electronic media coverage of proceedings that are open to the public, including proceedings conducted by remote transmission.

[UCJA Rule 4-401.01 Electronic media coverage of court proceedings](https://legacy.utcourts.gov/rules/view.php?type=ucja&rule=4-401.01)
Source checked: 2026-07-26

### media request process

Scope: statewide

Utah requires requests for electronic media coverage to be made through the court's public information office.

Evidence excerpt: All requests to provide electronic media coverage shall be made to the court’s public information office.

[UCJA Rule 4-401.01 Electronic media coverage of court proceedings](https://legacy.utcourts.gov/rules/view.php?type=ucja&rule=4-401.01)
Source checked: 2026-07-26

### portable electronic devices

Scope: statewide

Utah permits possession and use of portable electronic devices in courthouses unless limited by UCJA Rule 4-401.02 or by directive of the judge.

Evidence excerpt: A person may possess and use a portable electronic device anywhere in a courthouse, except as limited by this rule or directive of the judge.

[UCJA Rule 4-401.02 Possession and use of portable electronic devices](https://legacy.utcourts.gov/rules/view.php?type=ucja&rule=4-401.02)
Source checked: 2026-07-26

### recording photography transmission

Scope: statewide

Utah prohibits recording, photographing, or transmitting images or sound of court proceedings with portable electronic devices unless allowed under the electronic-media rule or another stated exception.

Evidence excerpt: A person may not use a portable electronic device to record, photograph, or transmit images or sound of court proceedings, except in accordance with rule 4-401.01 or subsection (2)(D) above.

[UCJA Rule 4-401.02 Possession and use of portable electronic devices](https://legacy.utcourts.gov/rules/view.php?type=ucja&rule=4-401.02)
Source checked: 2026-07-26


## Sources

- [Official profile](https://www.utcourts.gov/en/courts/other-court-info/judges-bios/senior-Judges/district-court-senior-judges/david-r-hamilton.html)
- [Official roster](https://www.utcourts.gov/en/courts/other-court-info/judges-bios/senior-Judges/district-court-senior-judges/david-r-hamilton.html)
- [Utah State Courts official judicial roster](https://www.utcourts.gov/en/courts/other-court-info/judges-bios/senior-Judges/district-court-senior-judges/david-r-hamilton.html)
- [UCJA Rule 4-401.01 Electronic media coverage of court proceedings](https://legacy.utcourts.gov/rules/view.php?type=ucja&rule=4-401.01)
- [UCJA Rule 4-401.02 Possession and use of portable electronic devices](https://legacy.utcourts.gov/rules/view.php?type=ucja&rule=4-401.02)
- [JUDGE DAVID R. HAMILTON](https://www.utcourts.gov/en/courts/other-court-info/judges-bios/senior-Judges/district-court-senior-judges/david-r-hamilton.html)

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