Protecting Rights. Delivering Results.

Tyler Ayres represented Randy Gardner in a legal challenge concerning Utah’s execution practices and access to demonstrations near the Utah State Correctional Facility.

The 2024 filing sought relief related to restrictions affecting individuals and organizations opposing the death penalty in connection with an upcoming execution.

Tyler signed and filed the action on Gardner’s behalf as part of the broader dispute over protest activity and access surrounding Utah executions.

Tyler Ayres appeared as a criminal defense legal commentator following Jodi Hildebrandt’s guilty pleas to four counts of aggravated child abuse in the widely followed Ruby Franke and Jodi Hildebrandt case.

Although Tyler did not represent either defendant, FOX 13 turned to him for his criminal defense perspective on the plea agreement, what it meant for the case moving forward, and why the resolution meant many of the questions that might have been explored during a trial would remain unanswered.

Tyler Ayres represented a family seeking answers after allegations of racist bullying and an assault involving students at Grantsville Elementary School.

Tyler called on the school to investigate after the family reported that their child had been subjected to racial slurs, threats, and physical confrontations because of his race.

He advocated for the family as they sought accountability from school officials and a clearer response to the allegations.

Tyler Ayres represented a Midvale family after they reported months of escalating racial harassment by a neighbor, including repeated racial slurs and confrontations involving their young son.

He filed a civil lawsuit on their behalf alleging assault, battery, intentional infliction of emotional distress, trespass, and false imprisonment.

The lawsuit detailed the family’s allegations that the repeated encounters left their son afraid to play outside his own home.

Tyler advocated for the family as they sought accountability and a legal resolution to conduct they said had continued despite previous efforts to address the situation.

Tyler Ayres represented the family of 10-year-old Isabella “Izzy” Tichenor after her death in 2021 brought national attention to allegations of racial and disability-based bullying at her elementary school.

Tyler advocated for the family as questions were raised about how reports of bullying had been handled and called for accountability and changes within the Davis School District.

The matter ultimately resulted in a $2 million settlement with Izzy’s family, along with commitments that included placing a statue of Izzy in the Foxboro Elementary School library and continuing broader efforts to address discrimination and the handling of complaints within the district.

Tyler Ayres represented Sean Moss in what was reported as potentially Utah’s first medical cannabis-related prosecution.

Moss, who had epilepsy, was facing DUI-related charges after a seizure resulted in a vehicle accident and police discovered a cannabis product containing THC in his car.

Tyler was prepared to raise Utah’s newly enacted medical cannabis protections as an affirmative defense before the case ended in a plea agreement that dropped the more serious DUI-related charges.

Moss instead pleaded to lesser offenses, received six months of probation, and was eligible to have the case dismissed if he successfully completed that period without further violations.

Tyler Ayres represented Rose Vallejo and her 13-year-old autistic son after a Duchesne County sheriff’s sergeant forced the boy to the ground and handcuffed him during an encounter near a local library.

The family filed a federal civil rights lawsuit alleging excessive force, with Tyler emphasizing that one of their goals was to improve law enforcement training for interactions with people with autism and other developmental disabilities.

The incident received additional attention after body-camera footage of the encounter was released.

Tyler Ayres represented former newspaper carrier Joseph Goeckeritz in a federal lawsuit against Newspaper Agency Corp. Goeckeritz alleged that he had been misclassified as an independent contractor, resulting in unpaid mileage reimbursements and customer tips that he claimed should have been paid to him under federal and state labor laws.

Tyler filed the lawsuit challenging both the company’s classification of Goeckeritz and its compensation practices. The case raised broader questions about the rights of newspaper carriers and whether the conditions of their work entitled them to the protections and compensation provided to employees.

Tyler Ayres worked with Ronnie Lee Gardner and Gardner’s family on plans for “Back to Basics,” a proposed organic farm and program intended to give at-risk youth a place to work, develop practical skills, and find a more positive direction.

Tyler became involved after Gardner’s brother Randy contacted him and helped the family explore how the program could be developed, funded, and structured.

Tyler also provided testimony related to Gardner’s efforts to establish the program as part of Gardner’s desire to help young people avoid the circumstances that had shaped his own life.