Jay Winward

Survey Respondent Recommendation: 85% of survey respondents recommend Judge Winward for retention

Performance Measures: Survey scores are analyzed for statistical significance to determine if the judge scored well above, above, consistent with, below, or well below their district court peers.

Consistent with peers: Administrative Skills

Below peers: Legal Ability, Integrity & Judicial Temperament, Procedural Fairness

Respondent and Observer Feedback: Both respondents and courtroom observers appreciate Judge Winward’s professional, personable demeanor. Both groups speak highly of his efficient and organized calendar management, and several respondents highlight his preparedness and ability to laser focus on the issues. Survey results indicate that he should work on being more patient and open-minded. While both groups value his brisk, efficient pace in court, some respondents, and a couple of observers, suggest that the judge’s attempts to be efficient may detract from procedural due process. Respondents say that he needs to consider more fully all arguments before ruling. All four observers report confidence that they would be treated fairly if they were to appear in Judge Winward’s court.

Judge Jay T. Winward was appointed to the Fifth District Court in December 2022 by Governor Spencer J. Cox. He serves Beaver, Iron, and Washington Counties. Judge Winward graduated with a degree in chemistry from the University of Utah. He attended law school at Thomas Jefferson School of Law and the J. Reuben Clark Law School at Brigham Young University. After law school, Judge Winward was a partner at Winward Law and then represented the United States of America as a federal prosecutor. During his career, he served a detail in Bogota, Colombia on behalf of the United States Department of Justice and trained prosecutors throughout the country. Judge Winward teaches Business Law at Utah Tech University.