09/05/2026
Utah Supreme Court Justice Diana Hagen has resigned effective immediately.
The resignation comes ahead of a potential investigation into a complaint alleging an improper relationship with an attorney who argued cases before the court. Hagen denied any wrongdoing and said she recused herself from a major redistricting case last year after rekindling a friendship with the attorney in question.
In her resignation letter, Hagen wrote:
"I would love nothing more than to continue serving the people of Utah as a Supreme Court justice, but I cannot do so without sacrificing the privacy and well-being of those I care about and the effective functioning and independence of Utah's judiciary."
Chief Justice Matthew Durrant called it "a loss for the judiciary," noting Hagen's role in prosecuting the man who kidnapped Elizabeth Smart before her appointment to the bench in 2022.
State leaders say the specific investigation is now concluded and will instead pursue reforms to the Judicial Conduct Commission. Gov. Spencer Cox will announce the process to fill the vacancy in the coming days.
