J. Allen Crockett

J. Allen Crockett (1906 - 1994)[1] was a Justice of the Utah Supreme Court from 1951 to 1981 - longer than anyone else in Utah's history.[2] During his long tenure on the court, he was Chief Justice three times: from 1959 to 1961, from 1967 to 1970, and from 1979 to 1981.

J. Allen Crockett
Chief Justice of the Utah Supreme Court
In office
1959–1961
Preceded byRoger I. McDonough
Succeeded byLester M. Wade
Chief Justice of the Utah Supreme Court
In office
1967–1970
Preceded byF. Henri Henriod
Succeeded byE. R. Callister
Chief Justice of the Utah Supreme Court
In office
1979–1981
Preceded byA. H. Ellett
Succeeded byRichard J. Maughan
Personal details
Born1906
Smithfield, Utah
DiedNovember 9, 1994

Early career

Crockett was born in Smithfield, Cache County. He attended East High School. He received a bachelor of arts degree and a bachelor of laws from the University of Utah. Crockett served as deputy Salt Lake County attorney from 1933 to 1938. Crockett was campaign manager for Reva Beck Bosone in her 1939 campaign for city police judge.[3] Crockett served as secretary and counsel to the Public Service Commission from 1939 to 1940[4] and as a ward and district chairman of the Democratic party[5] prior to his election in 1940 to the Third District Court. In 1947, during the polio epidemic, Crockett was Salt Lake County chairman for the March of Dimes campaign.[6]

On the Bench

Crockett served as a 3rd District judge from 1941 to 1951. As the Democratic party nominee for Supreme Court justice in 1950, Judge Crockett spoke in favor of criminal justice reform.[7] In November 1950, he was elected to the Utah Supreme Court, narrowly defeating Republican candidate District Judge Joseph E. Nelson.[8] He took office in 1951, and served three 10-year terms. A hiker, he once hiked through Zion Narrows with United States Supreme Court Justice William O. Douglas.[9] He was given a Distinguished Lawyer Emeritus Award by the Utah Bar Association in March 1987.[10]

References
  1. "J. ALLAN CROCKETT DIES AT 88, FORMER UTAH COURT JUSTICE," Deseret News, November 10, 1994
  2. "J. ALLEN CROCKETT," Deseret News, November 11, 1994
  3. Salt Lake Telegram | 1939-10-10 | One Man Drops from City Race
  4. Salt Lake Telegram | 1940-10-02 | Close Contests Mark Judiciary Voting
  5. Salt Lake Telegram | 1941-01-07 | Judges Should be Nonpartisan
  6. Salt Lake Telegram | 1947-11-06 | District Judge to Head March of Dimes
  7. Springville Herald | 1950-11-02 | Democrat Nominee Gives Opinions regarding Needs[
  8. Pleasant Grove Review | 1950-11-10 | Pleasant Grove Wins Two Offices in County Election Adams Commissioner-Kirk Clerk
  9. Iron County Record | 1960-07-28 | Crockett Tells Intent to File for Re-Election
  10. "J. ALLAN CROCKETT DIES AT 88, FORMER UTAH COURT JUSTICE," Deseret News, November 10, 1994
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