Utah Judge Closes Courtroom Doors to the Public: What’s Being Hidden Behind Locked Doors and Shady Rules?

In the United States, open courts aren’t just a nice idea—they’re the cornerstone of our legal system. Letting the public see what happens in courtrooms ensures fairness, keeps judges accountable, and builds trust in the system. When those doors close, we all lose. And in one Utah Commissioner’s Court, a local rule is slamming those doors shut. It’s bad, it’s unconstitutional, and frankly, it reeks of arrogance.

Here’s the situation: unless you’re directly involved in the case, you’re not allowed in. No curious public, no reporters, and not even attorneys stopping by to observe. Seriously, what’s this judge hiding? Justice isn’t some private VIP club—it’s supposed to be for everyone. This rule tramples one of the most basic tenets of justice: it’s not enough for justice to be done; it must be seen to be done.