Jennifer L. Valencia at a glance
- Current role
- District Court Judge
- Jurisdiction
- Utah · State
- Judicial service
- Active
Jennifer L. Valencia
District Court Judge · Utah Second District Court
Biography
Professional career
- Utah Second District Court judge appointed in 2017, serving Davis, Morgan, and Weber counties, with current assignments at the Farmington courthouse in Davis County
- Running for re-election as Judge of the District Court, Second Judicial District in the November 3, 2026 general election.
- Judge Valencia attended Weber State University on a Presidential Scholarship, graduating magna cum laude with Departmental Honors in Political Science in 1994
- Adjunct Professor at the University of Utah, teaching trial advocacy
- As an attorney, she served as an Assistant Utah Attorney General in the Child and Family Support Division, as a Salt Lake County Deputy District Attorney in the Criminal Division, and as the Director of the Utah Sentencing Commission.
Education
- University of Utah, S.J. Quinney College of Law — J.D. (1997)
- in Political Science (magna cum laude, Departmental Honors), Weber State University, on a Presidential Scholarship — B.A. (1994)
Additional information
- Appointed to the Second District Court by Governor Gary R. Herbert in May 2017.
- In addition to her regular judicial duties, she is a designated statewide Water Judge.
- Additional Role: Designated statewide Water Judge
- previously served in multiple judicial leadership roles, including Water Judge and Drug Court Judge
- She has also previously served as the Supervising Water Judge, as the Chair of the Utah Uniform Fine Committee, and as a Drug Court Judge.
Applicable Court Rules & Procedures
Electronic Media Coverage
Statewide
Utah permits electronic media coverage of public proceedings under statewide UCJA procedures, including proceedings conducted by remote transmission.
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 ↗
Media Request Process
Statewide
Utah requires requests for electronic media coverage to be made through the court's public information office.
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 ↗
Portable Electronic Devices
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.
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 ↗
Recording and broadcasting
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.
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 ↗
Published courtroom rules
Shared court rules
UCJA Rule 4-401.01 Electronic media coverage of court proceedings
Utah Second District Court
Scope is limited to the court class in the source claim. Shared court context only; case-type restrictions, exceptions, later amendments and case orders apply. This is not a personal preference or a complete rules inventory.
Official source ↗ · Collected 2026-07-26UCJA Rule 4-401.02 Possession and use of portable electronic devices
Utah Second District Court
Scope is limited to the court class in the source claim. Shared court context only; case-type restrictions, exceptions, later amendments and case orders apply. This is not a personal preference or a complete rules inventory.
Official source ↗ · Collected 2026-07-26Sources
Identity source checked July 26, 2026.
Biography sources checked October 11, 2026.
Utah State Courts official judicial roster
Identity source · HTML · Source checked July 26, 2026
View Utah State Courts official judicial roster ↗UCJA Rule 4-401.01 Electronic media coverage of court proceedings
Statewide source · HTML · Source checked July 26, 2026
View UCJA Rule 4-401.01 Electronic media coverage of court proceedings ↗UCJA Rule 4-401.02 Possession and use of portable electronic devices
Statewide source · HTML · Source checked July 26, 2026
View UCJA Rule 4-401.02 Possession and use of portable electronic devices ↗