Ryan D. Petersen at a glance
- Current role
- Juvenile Court Judge
- Jurisdiction
- Utah · State
- Judicial service
- Active
Ryan D. Petersen
Juvenile Court Judge · Utah Fourth District Juvenile Court
Biography
Professional career
- Governor Spencer Cox appointed Petersen to the Fourth District Juvenile Court bench in December 2024, filling a vacancy created by Judge D. Scott Davis’s retirement
- Newly appointed judge of Utah’s Fourth District Juvenile Court, taking office in December 2024 after a distinguished legal career in private practice, public service, and education.
- 2014–2024: Senior Partner at MacArthur, Heder, and Metler, PLLC
- In 2007 he became an associate at Ivie and Young and in 2010 worked at the firm of Blakelock and Petersen
- Worked with the Bosche Legal Clinic during law school and was sworn in as an attorney in the Muscogee (Creek) Indian Nation Court
Education
- J.D. from the University of Tulsa College of Law in 2007, where he received the Chandler Award for Most Inspiring Student and the George Justice Student Ambassador Award, and was a member of Phi Beta Kappa and Phi Delta Phi
- Bachelor of Arts degree from The University of Utah in 2003 and graduated from The University of Tulsa College of Law in 2007.
Additional information
- In 2014 Judge Petersen began working with MacArthur, Heder, and Metler where he became a Senior Partner prior to taking the Bench.
- The appointment was subject to Utah Senate confirmation.
- Official bio: Utah State Courts — Judge Ryan D. Petersen.
- Petersen has taught at Utah Valley University and contributed to the Utah State Bar’s Family Law Section and the Utah Parental Defense Alliance.
- Petersen’s role involves adjudicating juvenile cases in Utah’s Fourth Judicial District, a court that plays a key role in shaping the lives of young people and their families.
- He has also been active in community legal service and advocacy.
- In his own words, Petersen said the appointment is “an honor” and that he is committed to “justice, fairness, and the rule of law” in serving Utah’s families.
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 Fourth 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 Fourth 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 ↗