Michael Leavitt at a glance
- Current role
- Presiding Judge, Juvenile Court Judge
- Jurisdiction
- Utah · State
- Judicial service
- Active
Michael Leavitt
Presiding Judge, Juvenile Court Judge · Utah Fifth District Juvenile Court
Biography
Professional career
- 2014–Present: Presiding Judge, Fifth District Juvenile Court
- Michael F. Leavitt is the Presiding Judge of Utah’s Fifth District Juvenile Court, serving Beaver, Iron, and Washington counties since 2014
- Before becoming a judge, Leavitt was an attorney with Durham Jones & Pinegar (formerly Snow Nuffer) from 2002 to 2014.
- 2004–2006: Teacher, Dixie State College
- Leavitt’s judicial work focuses on juvenile justice, and his leadership roles in bar associations and committees reflect his commitment to legal reform and access to justice
Education
- University of Idaho College of Law — J.D. (2002)
- Southern Utah University — B.A. (1997)
Additional information
- He presides over juvenile cases in Beaver, Iron, and Washington counties and is also a member of the Board of Juvenile Court Judges (Chair 2020–2021).
- Appointed by Governor Gary R. Herbert on May 9, 2014, Leavitt was confirmed by the Utah State Senate on June 18, 2014.
- He also held the role of a Bar Commissioner with the Utah State Bar and was President of the Southern Utah Bar Association.
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 Fifth District Juvenile 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 Fifth District Juvenile 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 ↗