Jennifer Lyn Valencia

Survey Respondent Recommendation: 83% of survey respondents recommend Judge Valencia 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: Integrity & Judicial Temperament, Procedural Fairness

Below peers: Legal Ability, Administrative Skills

Respondent and Observer Feedback: Survey results indicate that the judge needs to improve her legal skills and knowledge. Some survey comments say thatshestruggles, at times, to maintain her temperament and impartiality. Some respondents say that she is a fair-minded judge, and they admire her professional, decisive demeanor. Courtroom observers appreciate her courteous, respectful behaviors, and they further value her neutrality and equal treatment of court participants. All four observers report confidence that they would be treated fairly if they were to appear in Judge Valencia’s court.

Judge Jennifer L. Valencia was appointed to the Second District Court by Governor Gary R. Herbert in May 2017. While she serves Davis, Morgan, and Weber counties, she is currently assigned to the Farmington courthouse in Davis County. Judge Valencia attended Weber State University on a Presidential Scholarship, graduating magna cum laude with Departmental Honors in Political Science in 1994. She was awarded her Juris Doctorate in 1997 from the University of Utah, S.J. Quinney College of Law. As an attorney, she served as an Assistant Utah Attorney General in the Child and Family Support Division, as a Salt Lake County Deputy District Attorney in the Criminal Division, and as the Director of the Utah Sentencing Commission. In addition to her regular judicial duties, she is a designated statewide Water Judge. She has also previously served as the Supervising Water Judge, as the Chair of the Utah Uniform Fine Committee, and as a Drug Court Judge. Judge Valencia is also an Adjunct Professor at the University of Utah teaching trial advocacy.