Monica Diaz at a glance
- Current role
- Associate Presiding Judge, Juvenile Court Judge
- Jurisdiction
- Utah · State
- Judicial service
- Active
Monica Diaz
Associate Presiding Judge, Juvenile Court Judge · Utah Third District Juvenile Court
Biography
Professional career
- In summary: Judge Monica R. Diaz is an experienced California attorney with a background in public defense, prosecution, and legal advocacy, now serving as a Fresno County Superior Court judge since 2017
- Chief Deputy District Attorney, leading the Misdemeanor Unit (2015–2017)
Education
- University of Utah S.J. Quinney College of Law in — J.D. (2008)
- Bachelor of Science degree in Social Sciences from Westminster College in 2002
- San Joaquin College of Law — J.D. (1998)
- California State University, Fresno — B.A.
Additional information
- Monica R. Diaz has served on the Fresno County Superior Court bench since November 2, 2017, when she was appointed by then-Governor Jerry Brown to fill the vacancy created by the elevation of Kathleen A. Meehan to the Fifth District Court of Appeal.
- She has been re-elected in nonpartisan judicial elections, with the 2026 election cycle canceled, allowing her to retain her position without a ballot race.
- Appointed to the Third District Juvenile Court in June 2021 by Governor Spencer J. Cox.
- From 2020 until her appointment to the bench Judge Diaz was the director of the Utah Sentencing Commission.
- California State Bar — admitted December 1998
- focusing on family law and other civil matters.
- She also served on the Advisory Committee on Providing Access and Fairness and participated in Fresno County Women Lawyers’ programs on transitioning from practice to the bench.
- She presides over cases including family law matters and has also handled other civil and criminal matters within her jurisdiction.
- At the time of her appointment, Diaz resided in Visalia, California, and is registered as a Democrat.
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 Third 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 Third 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 ↗