Gov. Herbert nominates 3rd District Judge Deno Himonas to Utah Supreme Court

Gov. Herbert nominates 3rd District Judge Deno Himonas to Utah Supreme Court

(Ravell Call, Deseret News)


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SALT LAKE CITY — Gov. Gary Herbert nominated a 3rd District judge Thursday to replacing a retiring member of the Utah Supreme Court.

Constandinos "Deno" G. Himonas has worked as a trial judge in Salt Lake City since 2004 and serves as the associate presiding judge for the 3rd District. He has presided over more than 100 jury trials.

"He has just glowing recommendations from his colleagues on the bench and from others in legal circles that have to participate in his court and have observed him the past 10 years," the governor said.

Herbert said Himonas is known for his personal and professional integrity and as a hard worker.

In brief remarks, Himonas said as a judge he tries to remember that the cases he hears represent the most important or one of most important things in the lives of the people before him.

"Consequently, I have tried to give those cases the full measure of my abilities. And if confirmed, I commit to this degree of dedication," he said.

Himonas, who did not take questions, faces a state Senate confirmation hearing next month.

Herbert said he had many applicants for the job and narrowed the list to seven finalists.


He has just glowing recommendations from his colleagues on the bench and from others in legal circles that have to participate in his court and have observed him the past 10 years.

–Gov. Gary Herbert


"I really have had the opportunity to choose from the very best that Utah has to offer to put on the Supreme Court," he said.

The governor said politics did not enter into his decision. He said he didn't ask candidates about political persuasion or philosophy of life, but did ask how they separate their personal beliefs from their judicial decisions.

"I expect all of our judges to be apolitical when it comes to rendering a decision on the bench as they apply our law to the facts of the case," Herbert said.

The governor said he also expects judges to be "strict constructionists, meaning that they interpret the law that's on the books and the way it was intended by our Legislature."

Herbert said if the laws are incorrect, the Legislature needs to fix them because that's the role of a judge.

Himonas, who has an economics degree from the University of Utah and law degree from the University of Chicago, worked as an attorney at Jones Waldo Holbrook & McDonough for 15 years before being appointed as a judge. He also has been an adjunct professor at the U. law school. He was raised in Price.

If appointed to the five-member court, Himonas would replace Justice Ronald Nehring, who is retiring Feb. 1.

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