--- title: "Randy B. Birch | KnowJudges" canonical: "https://knowjudges.com/kyj/judge/randy-b-birch-presiding-judge-justice-court-judge-utah-fourth-district-justice-court-ut" page_type: "judge_profile" updated: "2026-08-02" --- # Randy B. Birch Utah Fourth District Justice Court · Presiding Judge, Justice Court Judge ## Profile - Court: Utah Fourth District Justice Court - State: Utah - Role: Presiding Judge, Justice Court Judge - Service status: active - Last verified: 2026-07-26 ## Summary Official statewide and applicable court procedural guidance applies to this judge. ## Biography ### Professional career - Appointed to the Heber City Justice Court in September 2010, serving as a presiding judge - During his tenure on the bench, Birch handled a variety of cases in the justice court system, which typically includes misdemeanor criminal cases, traffic violations, and small civil disputes ### Education - B.A. from Utah State University and a J.D. from the University of Utah College of Law in 1984. ### Additional information - In March 2024, he resigned from his position in Pleasant Grove, Utah, prompting the court to seek a replacement. - After stepping down from full-time practice, he continued part-time as a justice court judge while exploring other professional opportunities. - Prior to this appointment, he practiced law in Salt Lake City, held a position as in-house counsel for a federal contractor, and maintained a solo legal practice. - He also served for over 25 years as a small claims judge pro tempore in Salt Lake and Summit counties, demonstrating long-standing judicial experience. - Outside the judiciary, Birch specialized in small business and construction litigation, including collections, mechanic’s liens, and bond claims. - He has experience as both a solo practitioner and in-house counsel, assisting contractors and small businesses with legal matters. - Seasoned legal professional and former justice court judge in Utah, recognized for his decades of service in small claims adjudication, his contributions to legal organizations, and his expertise in business and construction law. - His legal education qualified him for admission to the bar and laid the foundation for his extensive career in both private practice and the judiciary. - He was also active in professional organizations, serving on the Board of the Utah Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers (UACDL). ## 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/justice-courts/fourth-district-justice-court/randy-birch.html) - [Official roster](https://www.utcourts.gov/en/courts/other-court-info/judges-bios/justice-courts/fourth-district-justice-court/randy-birch.html) - [Utah State Courts official judicial roster](https://www.utcourts.gov/en/courts/other-court-info/judges-bios/justice-courts/fourth-district-justice-court/randy-birch.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) - [PRESIDING JUDGE RANDY B. BIRCH](https://www.utcourts.gov/en/courts/other-court-info/judges-bios/justice-courts/fourth-district-justice-court/randy-birch.html) ## JSON-LD ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "WebPage", "@id": "https://knowjudges.com/kyj/judge/randy-b-birch-presiding-judge-justice-court-judge-utah-fourth-district-justice-court-ut", "url": "https://knowjudges.com/kyj/judge/randy-b-birch-presiding-judge-justice-court-judge-utah-fourth-district-justice-court-ut", "name": "Randy B. Birch | KnowJudges", "description": "Randy B. Birch, Utah Fourth District Justice Court. 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Birch", "item": "https://knowjudges.com/kyj/judge/randy-b-birch-presiding-judge-justice-court-judge-utah-fourth-district-justice-court-ut" } ] } ] } ``` ## Published courtroom rules ### Shared court rules - [UCJA Rule 4-401.01 Electronic media coverage of court proceedings](https://knowjudges.com/courtroom-rules/national-shared-set-66e618d152d2df53d660e797) — 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](https://legacy.utcourts.gov/rules/view.php?type=ucja&rule=4-401.01). Collected 2026-07-26. - [UCJA Rule 4-401.02 Possession and use of portable electronic devices](https://knowjudges.com/courtroom-rules/national-shared-set-5b4e5d61b330f356e2af7caf) — 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](https://legacy.utcourts.gov/rules/view.php?type=ucja&rule=4-401.02). Collected 2026-07-26.