To: The Utah Judicial Conduct Commission and Governor Spencer Cox
Target: To remove Judge Catherine Conklin from the Second District Court of Utah.

Petition Statement:
We, the undersigned citizens and advocates for child safety, formally petition for the removal of Judge Catherine Conklin. This demand follows her February 2026 sentencing of former Ogden police officer Colten Scott Johansen, a ruling that represents a profound failure of the judicial system and an insult to survivors of child exploitation.

Background of the Case: Colten Johansen, a former School Resource Officer, pleaded guilty to three second-degree felonies: two counts of attempted sexual exploitation of a minor and one count of forcible sexual abuse. Despite these severe crimes—which carry a potential sentence of 1 to 15 years per count—Judge Conklin handed down a sentence of only 30 days in jail and 4 years’ probation.

Reasons for Removal:
Undermining Public Safety: By stating that a convicted child sex abuser is not a "danger to the community," Judge Conklin has demonstrated a fundamental misunderstanding of the predatory nature of these crimes.

Abuse of Judicial Discretion: Suspending 45 years of potential prison time for a former law enforcement officer creates a dangerous precedent of "blue leniency," suggesting that those sworn to protect children are held to a lower standard than the public.
Failure to Protect the Vulnerable: This sentence fails to provide justice for the victims and fails to act as a deterrent for future offenders, effectively signaling that child exploitation in Utah carries minimal consequences.

Our Demand:
The bench requires judges who prioritize the safety of our children over the professional "decorum" of offenders. We call upon the Utah Judicial Conduct Commission to investigate Judge Conklin’s fitness for office and urge the Utah State Legislature to initiate impeachment proceedings or seek her immediate resignation.

We demand justice for the victims, protection for our children, and accountability for our courts.
 
How to take further action in Utah:
File a Formal Complaint: You can submit a "Request for Investigation" directly to the Utah Judicial Conduct Commission.

Contact Your Representative: Because judges are subject to legislative oversight, you can find local Utah representatives at le.utah.gov to voice your concerns about judicial accountability.