Utah Supreme Court Justice Faces Ethics Probe

Allegations of improper relationship with attorney involved in redistricting case

Apr. 17, 2026 at 9:57pm

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A dimly lit, cinematic painting of an empty courtroom with a single chair at the judge's bench, bathed in warm, diagonal sunlight and deep shadows, conceptually illustrating the gravity of the ethics allegations against a state Supreme Court justice.The allegations against Justice Hagen raise concerns about judicial ethics and impartiality in Utah's highest court.Salt Lake City Today

The Utah Judicial Conduct Commission has launched an investigation into allegations involving Utah Supreme Court Justice Diana Hagen and a reported relationship with an attorney tied to redistricting litigation in the state.

Why it matters

The integrity of the state's highest court is at stake, as allegations of judicial misconduct could undermine public trust in the impartiality of the judicial system, especially in high-profile cases like redistricting that have major political implications.

The details

According to reports, Justice Hagen is accused of having an improper personal relationship with an attorney who was involved in recent redistricting litigation before the Utah Supreme Court. The Judicial Conduct Commission has not provided specifics on the nature of the allegations, but has confirmed it has opened an investigation into the matter.

  • The allegations surfaced in April 2026.

The players

Justice Diana Hagen

A justice on the Utah Supreme Court who is the subject of an ethics investigation.

Utah Judicial Conduct Commission

The state agency responsible for investigating allegations of judicial misconduct.

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What they’re saying

“The integrity of our judicial system is paramount, and we take all allegations of misconduct extremely seriously.”

— Commission Spokesperson

What’s next

The Judicial Conduct Commission will continue its investigation and determine if any disciplinary action is warranted against Justice Hagen.

The takeaway

This case highlights the importance of maintaining the highest ethical standards for judges, whose impartiality is crucial to upholding the rule of law and public trust in the judicial system, especially in high-stakes political cases.