SWEARING IN • Ryan Peters was sworn in as the Juab County Attorney on Sept.5 by Justice Court Judge Sharla Williams.
By Myrna Trauntvein
Times-News Correspondent
Ryan Peters was sworn in as the new Juab County Attorney Tuesday morning after being selected to fill that position by the Juab County Commission. Peters was administered the oath of office by Juab County Justice Court Judge Sharla T. Williams in commission chambers at the beginning of county commission meeting. Peters will fill the remaining term of Jared Eldridge, former attorney, who was appointed as a Fourth District Court Judge. “We did hire the best attorney we interviewed,” said Rick Carlton, commission chairman. He said that they had good discussions with each of the candidates and that the commission appreciated diligence of those who applied for the position. Cheryl Peters, Peter’s wife, Holly Peters, his mother, Jodilyn Wall, his sister, and Jake Wall, his nephew, were all able to witness the ceremony. “My interest in working as the Juab County Attorney extends beyond my desire to fill the position,” said Peters. “I moved to Juab County over a decade ago from a high crime area where I was uncomfortable raising my children. Juab County truly is a wonderful alternative to such areas. It is safe and quiet. It’s a place where neighbors look out for each other. I love Juab County and consider it a duty to help maintain the spirit of community that prevails here.” Peters graduated with a Juris Doctorate in 2005 from Creighton University School of Law, Omaha, Nebraska. He received his Bachelors of Science , cum laude, in 2001 from Weber State University with a major in Criminal Justice, Criminal Law emphasis, with a minor in political science. Peters served as a senior attorney in the Utah County Attorney’s Office where he experienced prosecuting everything from traffic tickets to Aggravated Murder. He has represented the state in criminal offenses in District and Justice Courts and argued misdemeanor appeals. He has also represented the state at all criminal hearings from first appearance through jury trial and sentencing, including trials for murder, drug possession, DUI, forcible sexual abuse, aggravated assault, theft of services, fleeing law enforcement officers, resisting arrest, sexual abuse of a minor, aggravated sexual abuse of a child and white collar embezzlement. He was working for the second time on the Utah County Special Victims’ Task Force, focusing mainly on crimes against children. He had presented at conferences on this topic and has much experience in this area of prosecution. He has worked in the special courts in Utah County such as Drug Court, Mental Health Court and Veterans Court. He began working for the Utah County Attorney’s Office in 2007. Prior to that he was a judicial law clerk in the Second Judicial District Court beginning in 2005, and in 2003 to 2005, he was a law clerk for the National Indemnity Company. “I am well-acquainted with those who hold the pubic defender contracts with Juab County and know most private defense attorneys that work in the county,” Peters said. He said he had also worked on “civil” duties as well. He worked at the Utah County Jail regarding sick inmates and jail conditions, with the health department relative to unlicensed tattoo and piercing establishments and was assigned to review and approve DUI checkpoints. “I have advised officers on hundreds of warrants and cases and am on-call nearly 24-hours a day, seven days a week to answer questions,” he said. “I did not come to upstage Ryan,” said Eldridge. Eldridge said he attended the swearing in to support Peters. “This is your day. It is a great position. There is a lot of responsibility. You have a great staff ,and I look forward seeing what you are able to do.” Annette Lovell, legal assistant, was working when he took over the office, said Eldridge. He had reflected on her advice many times during the years. She told him that he might need to fill out his suit jacket in the shoulder area because he would have a lot of weight to bear on those shoulders. Byron Woodland, commissioner, said he did want to take the opportunity to thank Eldridge for the work he had done for the county. He appreciated Eldridge’s friendship. The county had benefited from the work that Eldridge had done while he was the attorney and from the programs instigated and the foresightedness he possessed, said Carlton. Clinton Painter, commissioner, said he had paid tribute to Eldridge at his farewell dinner. However, he wanted Eldridge to know how much he appreciated the way he had monitored and assisted him when he was first elected a commissioner.
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