Davis County voters will decide Nov. 3 whether to retain Judge Rick Westmoreland on the Second District Juvenile Court.

Westmoreland was appointed to the bench by Gov. Spencer Cox in June 2022, filling a vacancy left by Judge Michelle Heward, according to the Utah State Courts. He serves Davis, Morgan and Weber Counties. The retention question is nonpartisan and certified for the ballot.

In a retention election, voters answer a single yes-or-no question: should the judge remain on the bench? No opposing candidate appears on the ballot.

Candidate information

  • Name: Rick Westmoreland
  • Office: Second District Juvenile Court Judge
  • Jurisdiction: Davis, Morgan and Weber Counties
  • Education: Bachelor of science in child and family studies, Weber State University; juris doctorate, University of Oklahoma

Experience and public service

Westmoreland held several legal and public service roles across Davis and Weber Counties before joining the bench.

He served as a prosecutor and specialty court division chief at the Davis County Attorney's Office from 2004 to 2022, according to his Utah State Courts biography. He also worked as a public defender and private practice attorney, according to the same biography. He worked as an attorney for Robert DeBry and Associates and the Weber County Attorney's Office in Ogden, according to the governor's office.

In 2002, Westmoreland funded a private legal practice specializing in domestic relations, personal injury and criminal law, according to the governor's office.

He served as a member and chair of the Utah Youth Parole Authority from 2013 to 2022. He also served as a judge advocate general in the United States Army Reserve from 2002 to 2013, according to his Utah State Courts biography.

Westmoreland has been an adjunct professor at Weber State University since 2007, according to the same biography.

On the issues

When he was appointed in 2022, Westmoreland said, "I am grateful for the confidence Gov. Cox has placed in me with this appointment. I believe in the mission of the juvenile court and am looking forward to serving the families and children of my community with fairness, integrity, and compassion."

Endorsements

Gov. Spencer J. Cox appointed Westmoreland to the bench in June 2022 and praised his background in the appointment announcement, according to the governor's office. Cox said Westmoreland's experience as both a prosecutor and defense counsel would serve him well on the Second District Juvenile Court bench.

  • Governor Spencer J. Cox, office of the governor of Utah (June 2022 appointment)

Westmoreland is one of several judges facing retention votes in Davis County on Nov. 3, including Judge Jason Nelson on the Second District Court.