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Show Feature SOUTHERN UTAH NEWS WEDNESDAY AUGUST 9, 1995 11 w with a jud By Dixie Brunner partisan elect' on for the judge In the cases he hears, Kane position as had been done previCounty Justice Court Judge Kirk ously, the law said that voters Heaton says its his job to be an would determine judges by reimpartial, neutral magistrate. tention vote. A ballot of this type, Im not an advocate for either has a box to check if you want side, explains Heaton. As a life- the current judge to remain in long Kanab resident, Judge office. Heaton feels that he underHaving been a former proshe resides in ecutor, Heaton said the position stands the county with his wife and five children. of judge affords him a whole Heaton graduated from Kanab different perspective. A judges High School, and got his BA in actual job is to determine in prepolitical science from BYU. He liminary hearings, whether said that while he took general there is probable cause to bind education classes at college, he the defendant over for trial. In a always leaned toward and en- non-jur- y trial, a judge deterscience. mines joyed political guilt or innocence. He served a Mormon mission And that determination isnt to El Salvador. Enjoying the ex- always popular. Judge Heaton, perience, Heaton said that he as do many judges, faces critics who say that hes soft on crime. came back more focused. Law became Heatons career Heaton said that the law and from he and consequences of breaking it, graduated pursuit, BYUs J. Rueben Clark Law arent always set in stone. The School in 1976. His passion for law gives me options. I dont feel the Constitution and law was like thats being easy on crime. In conducting a preliminary affirmed when he served as an unpaid intern researching legal hearing, I have to hear the evitopics for the Office of the Ad- dence, and see if the state has ministrative Assistant to the met its burden to bind the case Chief Justice of the United over for trial, said Heaton. In States Supreme Court in Wash- trying a case I have to determine whether the State has ington, D.C. to his Heaton roots, proven a defendants guilt beReturning became the Kane County Attor- yond a reasonable doubt. Officney in 1977. He served the county ers occasionally forget that they in that capacity until 1986. I cant just stop at writing the liked the job, said Heaton, but citation, they have to work on I didnt care for the politics asso- the case as well. commuHeaton ciated with the office. Heaton was named Kane nity service assignments to teach County Justice Court Judge in responsibility to law breakers. April of 1990. He took the job In DUI cases the violator can over from local resident and do 48 hours of jail time, or 24 mortician Dennis Mosdell, who hours of community service. He was retiring. I was appointed to feels that the community work fill his unexpired term, ex- is a good option for a judge. The judge concedes that the plained Heaton. Shortly after taking office, the courts do have their problems. judge position was changed by The sheer number of cases is In Kane County state law. Rather than having a often-utilize- mind-bogglin- s Sharing Additional Programs: 395 South 200 But Heaton believes our countrys judicial system is better than most. Ive been in other countries and seen other systems where state of sieges were common, and people lived in fear, said Heaton. Im really glad that we as Americans, have the rights that are afforded to us. Heaton encourages the public to come in and observe court Kane County Justice Court Judge Kirk Heaton enjoys his time on the bench proceedings. Come in and and says he learns something new every single day. Photo by Dixie Brunner. watch, he said with a grin. Its good, free entertainment. Court dates are usually every other By Laurali Noteman Wednesday, with preliminaries on Thursdays before district See the sun there on your With the sounds of the earth on meadow? court. the winds. Judge Heaton said that he The refracted light, there on the See the groundhog on the tree feels a big responsibility in his grass, stump, position. Youre making deci- A green thats almost transparent, Theres a chipmunk in a Why! sions that affect peoples lives, With a glow as crisp as glass? pinon pine. and there are always two sides. The wind whistles down A squirrel scrambles up that tree your You have to apply the law to canyon, branch; each case. The breeze flutters in the leaves Your stream just sparkles and But I enjoy my job, added The soar on the currents, shines. Heaton. There isnt a day that And eagles clouds change forms as they The ponderosas with all of their goes by that I dont learn weave. grandeur, The air is clean and vibrant, And the oaks with their scraggly As I sit and watch the day. bends, A doe with her fawn cross the The aspens leaves are quaking. As a day begins so it must end. valley, With a buck up the draw just a And in the twilight of your evenings, way. As your stars begin to glow, Oh God, how I do love your coun- My mind wanders through my try, memories, Your canyons, valleys and glens. Where images of your land still The colors of nature surround me, show. Springtime in the country Srfol -- ' 1 t 39 West Center, Kanab T 9:45 a.m. Bible Study (All ages) 1 1 :00 a.m. Morning Worship 6:00 p.m. Evening Fellowship 6:00 p.m. Youth Activities Men's Bible Study, Awana Program for Kids Oilie T. StucL Pastor 4 East 92 Kanab, Ut 84741 (801) hopper's Coupon 644-299- 2 Now Showing at Kanab Theatre Wednesday through (8-- 9) Saturday (8-1- 2) Showtime 8 p.m. 29 W. Center j IFF Etmttim3 IPwlhiase Includes 20 Off Red Tagged Merchandise! Present to cashier at time of purchase. La Rated G (hKn)jpjpi7 g. New Hope Bi6 Ce Church God's Love Sunday Services: court in 1990, there were 3,288 cases, in 1994 there were 4,792. Sometimes the system can overwhelm itselfwith technicalities, said Heaton. When that happens, it appears that common sense goes right out the door. mm Offer valid July 26 thru August 26. 1995. m mm mm mm mm mm mm mm mm mm m mm mm mm mm mm mm mm mm mm mm mm mm mm mm mm Layaway now for school. Choose from Levi, Wrangler, Nike, Reebok, Gimmie, Outlaw, Rio, Bill Blass and much, much more!! i i i i j |