--- title: "Ryan D. Petersen | KnowJudges" canonical: "https://knowjudges.com/kyj/judge/ryan-d-petersen-juvenile-court-judge-utah-fourth-district-juvenile-court-ut" page_type: "judge_profile" updated: "2026-08-02" --- # Ryan D. Petersen Utah Fourth District Juvenile Court · Juvenile Court Judge ## Profile - Court: Utah Fourth District Juvenile Court - State: Utah - Role: Juvenile 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 - 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. ## 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/juvenile-courts/fourth-district-juvenile-court/ryan-d-petersen.html) - [Official roster](https://www.utcourts.gov/en/courts/other-court-info/judges-bios/juvenile-courts/fourth-district-juvenile-court/ryan-d-petersen.html) - [Utah State Courts official judicial roster](https://www.utcourts.gov/en/courts/other-court-info/judges-bios/juvenile-courts/fourth-district-juvenile-court/ryan-d-petersen.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) - [JUDGE RYAN D. PETERSEN](https://www.utcourts.gov/en/courts/other-court-info/judges-bios/juvenile-courts/fourth-district-juvenile-court/ryan-d-petersen.html) ## JSON-LD ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "WebPage", "@id": "https://knowjudges.com/kyj/judge/ryan-d-petersen-juvenile-court-judge-utah-fourth-district-juvenile-court-ut", "url": "https://knowjudges.com/kyj/judge/ryan-d-petersen-juvenile-court-judge-utah-fourth-district-juvenile-court-ut", "name": "Ryan D. Petersen | KnowJudges", "description": "Ryan D. Petersen, Utah Fourth District Juvenile Court. 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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.