Jill M. Pohlman
Non-Partisan | Utah
Candidate Profile
Activist
BIOGRAPHY
EDUCATION
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WORK & MILITARY
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AFFILIATIONS
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POLITICAL OFFICES HELD
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POLITICAL OFFICES SOUGHT
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OTHER INFORMATION
Pohlman described her judicial approach as “restraint” and following “the guidelines that have already been set forth.”
During her nomination remarks, Jill Pohlman expressed gratitude for the appointment, praised Justice Thomas Lee as an intelligent and principled jurist whose seat she would fill, and emphasized her commitment to working hard, treating people well, and upholding the rule of law.
Justice Pohlman delivered the keynote address at the All Rise Utah Program, an event supported by organizations including the Utah State Bar, the Utah Minority Bar Association, LGBT and Allied Lawyers of Utah, Women Lawyers of Utah, the Young Lawyers Division of the Utah State Bar, the Disability Law Center, and the Utah Center for Legal Inclusion.
In League of Women Voters of Utah v. Utah State Legislature (2026), in which Justice Pohlman participated in the panel, the Utah Supreme Court considered whether the Utah Legislature could immediately appeal a district court order involving Proposition 4’s redistricting requirements. The Court dismissed the appeal, holding that it lacked jurisdiction because the district court’s order was not a final judgment and could not be appealed under Rule 54(b). The Court explained that Rule 54(b) permits an appeal only when a claim or party’s rights have been fully resolved, and the district court was still conducting remedial proceedings. The Court recognized the importance of the redistricting dispute but concluded the Legislature’s appeal was improper.
In League of Women Voters of Utah v. Utah State Legislature (2024), in which Justice Pohlman joined the majority opinion, the Utah Supreme Court considered whether the Utah Constitution limits the Legislature’s power to repeal or amend a voter-approved government reform initiative. The court held that the Utah Constitution protects the people’s right to reform their government through the initiative process, limiting the Legislature’s ability to change government reform initiatives in ways that impair the reforms approved by voters.Because the plaintiffs alleged that Senate Bill 200 impaired the reforms adopted in Proposition 4, the court reversed the dismissal of their claim and remanded the case for further proceedings.
In State v. Barnett (2023), in which Justice Pohlman joined the majority opinion, the Utah Supreme Court considered whether the Utah Constitution allowed judges to grant bail to people charged with a felony while already on felony probation. The Court held that judges still have discretion to grant bail in those cases because the Constitution removes the guaranteed right to bail but does not completely ban bail. The Court relied on the wording of the Constitution and the history of the 1988 amendment, finding that Utah voters understood judges could still make individual bail decisions.
In Granite School District v. Young (2023), in which Justice Pohlman joined the unanimous opinion authored by Associate Chief Justice Pearce, the Utah Supreme Court considered whether a district court could decide a workers’ compensation reimbursement dispute. The court held that the Utah Labor Commission had exclusive authority to resolve the issue because it required factual findings about Young’s workplace injuries and benefits. Because the district court could not decide those questions, the court upheld the dismissal of Granite’s lawsuit.
QUESTIONNAIRE
RIGHT TO LIFE
Was Dobbs v. Jackson rightly decided according to the text of the Constitution? Please explain. (Holding: In Dobbs, the U.S. Supreme Court held that the federal constitution does not confer a right to abortion.)
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Does the federal Constitution support the right to physician assisted suicide? Please explain in light of Washington v. Glucksberg (1997).
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Human life deserves legal protection from conception until natural death.
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How do you view the judiciary’s role in matters of abortion regulation following Dobbs?
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RELIGIOUS LIBERTY
Do you believe religious liberty is at risk in the United States. If so, what is the judiciary's proper role in addressing this issue?
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Does the Establishment Clause of the First Amendment require government to be strictly secular or does it allow for the nation's religious heritage?
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Was Masterpiece Cakeshop, Ltd. v. Colorado Civil Rights Commission rightly decided according to the text of the Constitution? Please explain. (Holding: The U.S. Supreme Court held tha the state may not show religious hostility when enforcing anti-discrimination laws against a business owner.)
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VALUES
Briefly describe your spiritual beliefs and values.
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What is your understanding of parental rights under the Constitution regarding the upbringing of children, particularly regarding choices about education and sexual identity?
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Is gender identity a protected class under the Constitution? Please explain the constitutional basis for your view.
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ABOUT YOU
Have you ever been convicted of a felony? If so, please explain.
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Have you ever been penalized for sexual misconduct in either civil or criminal court? If so, please explain.
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I voted in these primaries and general elections:
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JUDICIAL PHILOSOPHY
Describe your judicial philosophy.
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Do you believe judges should primarily apply the law according to its original public meaning, or do you believe the law evolves over time to reflect contemporary values?
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Which current or past U.S. Supreme Court justice best reflects your judicial philosophy?
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Was Obergefell v. Hodges rightly decided according to the text of the Constitution? Please explain. (Holding: The U.S. Supreme Court held Due Process and Equal Protection Clauses create a right for same-sex couples to marry.)
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A. How should a judge approach a case where the constitutional or statutory text is clear on its face? B. Conversely, how should a judge proceed when the text is ambiguous or silent on a disputed issue?
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What is your view of judicial restraint versus judicial activism? How do you define each?
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What is the proper role of a judge?
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When applying or interpreting the text of a statute or constitutional provision, is it ever proper for a judge to consider present day public opinion or consequences?
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If precedent departs from the Constitution’s text or original meaning, should a judge follow it or correct the error? Please explain.
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CRIMINAL JUSTICE & PUBLIC SAFETY
The burden of proof in a criminal case is generally that the state must provide proof beyond a reasonable doubt. Some say the reason the burden of proof is so high is because we greatly value ensuring that the innocent are not unjustly imprisoned. Please comment on this topic.
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When reviewing wrongful conviction claims, what role, if any, should judges play in determining remedies?
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2ND AMENDMENT
What is your understanding of the Second Amendment’s right to keep and bear arms?
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OTHER IMPORTANT ISSUES
Which branch of government do you believe was intended to wield the most authority?
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