Utah

Utah Arts Festival Unveils Exceptional Winners, Celebrating Global Cinema and Local Talent at Fear No Film Program

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Salt Lake City, Utah – The 49th Utah Arts Festival has unveiled its prestigious awards spanning visual arts, film, and literary programs, celebrating a diverse array of talent and creativity. The Fear No Film segment, which celebrated its 22nd year, announced twelve awards, including a Grand Jury Prize, a Fearless Filmmaker Award, alongside several honorable mentions and audience-choice awards. Representing the state’s most significant short film event, this year’s program featured a selection of 78 short films—the second-largest collection in festival history. Few festivals nationwide can boast a peer-reviewed, juried film program of this caliber. … Read more

Utah Attorney Faces Backlash for Using AI to Fabricate Legal Case in Court Brief

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SALT LAKE CITY — A Utah attorney is facing significant repercussions after utilizing artificial intelligence to draft a court brief that mistakenly referenced a non-existent legal case. The incident has raised eyebrows in legal circles, prompting discussions about the reliability of technology in professional settings. The lawyer in question submitted a brief that included citations meant to bolster his arguments. However, the supposed case cited was fabricated, leading to an inquiry by the court. As details emerged, the attorney admitted to employing AI tools in the preparation stages, which has raised concerns about the ethical … Read more

Utah Lawyer Penalized for Relying on ChatGPT: Court Filings Include Fabricated Legal Citations

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SALT LAKE CITY — A Utah lawyer has been sanctioned by the state’s court of appeals after he used artificial intelligence to draft legal documents that included fabricated citations. The case highlights growing concerns regarding the use of AI in legal practices. Richard Bednar was penalized after a review of a petition he filed revealed multiple false references. The scrutiny began when the opposing counsel identified inaccuracies in the brief, which had been prepared by a law clerk under Bednar’s supervision. Court documents indicate that Bednar, along with fellow attorney Douglas Durbano, filed a petition … Read more

Utah Supreme Court Upholds Summit County-Only Jury in High-Profile Poisoning Case

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PARK CITY, Utah — The Utah State Supreme Court recently upheld a decision to draw a jury exclusively from Summit County for the murder trial of Kouri Richins, rejecting a motion by her defense team to have jurors pooled from both Summit and Salt Lake counties. Defense attorneys had argued that extensive local media coverage of the case might preclude their client from receiving a fair trial in Summit County alone. They contended that a broader jury pool would help ensure impartiality. Richins, a Summit County resident, stands accused of fatally poisoning her husband, Eric, … Read more