Trial Set for Judge Arrested for Exposing Himself to Undercover Cop

Trial Set for Judge Arrested in Public Restroom for Exposing Himself to Undercover Cop
The Associated Press - November 2, 2010

SALT LAKE CITY, UT — A December trial has been set for a Millard County Justice Court judge accused of exposing himself to an undercover police officer in a Salt Lake City park restroom. The Salt Lake Tribune reports 63-year-old Ronald R. Hare remained silent during a pretrial conference Monday in Salt Lake City Justice Court. Judge L.G. Cutler denied a request by Hare's attorney for a continuance, saying Hare had been granted a previous continuance. Hare, who is on the November ballot for retention as a judge, has been placed on paid leave pending the outcome of the case. He was issued a misdemeanor citation for disorderly conduct after the incident at Glendale Park in July. Hare and his attorney declined to comment on the case Monday.

BACKGROUND

Judge Hare charged
by Dean Draper - October 20, 2010

Judge Ronald R. Hare, who is on the November ballot for retention as a justice court judge, is charged in the Salt Lake City Justice Court with a Class B misdemeanor of disorderly conduct. Hare is charged with allegedly engaging in sexual conduct and/or exposing himself under the Salt Lake City municipal code. Rick Schwermer, assistant Utah court administrator, said Hare will appear in court on Monday, Nov. 1, for a pre-trial conference. No further details regarding the court action are available. Case # 10CR08058 is set for 2 p.m. Schwermer said Hare was placed on paid administrative leave on Sept. 17 by Utah Supreme Court Justice Christine Durham until the case is resolved. “The county has no contract with Judge Hare. He is a full-time county employee, yet he is a quasi-elected official. Jurisdiction regarding his employment is in question until an administrative hearing by the Judicial Conduct Commission,” said Daron Smith, County Commission chairman. Smith said the commissioners became aware of the charges through rumor. Inquiries made by the commission as to what the charges might be resulted in “no comment” according to Smith. The reasoning being a presumption of innocence until the charges have been proven or dismissed. What is known surfaced through court records. “I was given a message by another county employee from Judge Hare that he was on administrative leave,” said Smith. The court’s case history shows Hare being arrested on July 9. The Salt Lake Tribune reports “Salt Lake City police Detective Dennis McGowan said the incident involved Hare and an undercover vice officer in a men’s restroom at the Glendale Park at 5:30 p.m. SLC Municipal Code 11.16.100(B)(C) states:

• B. Engage in sexual conduct, alone or with another person or an animal;
• C. Make an intentional exposure of his or her genitals….

Judge Hare, 63, was sworn in as the Justice Court judge for the East Millard Justice Court in January of 1979. Hare also serves as Fillmore’s municipal court judge. “We had to call in a substitute to handle the cases until this issue is resolved.” said Fillmore Mayor Eugene Larsen. The pre-trial conference is a step in the judicial process usually followed a waiver hearing. Next would be a preliminary hearing to determine if there is enough evidence to take the case to court unless the defendant pleads guilty.

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Millard County judge cited in vice operation
The Associated Press - October 17, 2010

SALT LAKE CITY (AP) -- A 63-year-old Millard County justice court judge has been suspended with pay after being charged with disorderly conduct for either engaging in sexual conduct or exposing himself at a city park. Salt Lake City police Detective Dennis McGowan told The Salt Lake Tribune the incident involved Ronald R. Hare and an undercover vice officer in a men's restroom at Glendale Park in July. Hare could not immediately be reached for comment by The Associated Press on Sunday. Rick Schwermer, assistant Utah court administrator, says Utah Supreme Court Justice Christine Durham placed Hare on paid leave Sept. 17, the first day court officials learned of the citation. Hare is on the November ballot for retention as a justice court judge.