Amy Pomeroy

Criminal Justice Policy Analyst

amy@libertas.org

Amy has spent the last several years prosecuting crime as a Deputy Utah County Attorney, giving her a front-row seat to what is and is not working in our criminal justice system. Prior to that, she worked at the Pacific Legal Foundation doing constitutional litigation and ran a state representative’s office. She received her bachelor’s degree in political science from Brigham Young University before graduating from J. Reuben Clark Law School cum laude. She lives in Orem with her husband and their three energetic children and enjoys woodworking and being outdoors.

Amy Pomeroy's Articles

Justice and Due Process

Civil Commitment: A Solution in Name Only

When someone has been the victim of a vicious attack, he is usually willing and eager to participate in prosecution. But I found it impossible to connect with Roger.

Amy Pomeroy
| 8th Nov 2022

Justice and Due Process

Was Gabby Petito’s Death Preventable? The Answer has a Lot to do With Bail

Moab police were called to a domestic violence incident between Gabby Petito and her boyfriend a mere two weeks before he strangled her to death. Many have questioned whether a stronger intervention by Moab police could have saved her life.

Amy Pomeroy
| 4th Nov 2022

Justice and Due Process

What Should Happen if an Officer Lies To Obtain a Search Warrant?

This question has become more than theoretical for Roderick Talley, whose apartment door was blown off its hinges and apartment searched after an officer lied in an affidavit.

Amy Pomeroy
| 2nd Nov 2022

Justice and Due Process

Receiving Centers Offer Safety to the Public and Those in Crisis Outside of the Criminal Justice System

Officers are frequently called on to intervene in mental health crises. They routinely encounter people talking to themselves or behaving erratically, experiencing drug-induced psychosis, or acting violently with family members due to mental illness. Historically, scenarios like this put officers in a very tough position with few good options.

Amy Pomeroy
| 1st Nov 2022

Justice and Due Process

Defendants Can Now Make More Informed Decisions About Plea Bargains

Defendants hold the right to trial, and there are circumstances when waiving that right and accepting a plea bargain are in a defendant’s best interest. However, that is a weighty decision and should be made with complete information.

Amy Pomeroy
| 26th Oct 2022

Justice and Due Process

Jury Discretion in the Wild

Jury discretion — when a jury acquits a defendant despite clear evidence of guilt — is often discussed, but is rarely identified in the wild.

Amy Pomeroy
| 24th Oct 2022