In 1946, Latimer defeated incumbent Martin M. Larson to win election to the Utah Supreme Court,[8] and was sworn in for a 10-year term.[6] In 1951, he resigned to accept an appointment by President Harry S. Truman to the newly formed U.S. Court of Military Appeals.[4] Latimer was instrumental in interpreting the Uniform Code of Military Justice after it was adopted at the end of World War II.[1] He noted in a 1956 address to the military’s Judge Advocate Generals that civilian courts were beginning to call on the Court of Military Appeals for judicial opinions relating to military judicial subjects. He said that this was a good sign that the Uniform Code of Military Justice had established an acceptable court system.[9]
Law firm
Latimer became a partner in the Salt Lake City firm of Parsons, Behle, and Latimer in 1961.[7] He served as its president until retiring in 1973 but remained as a counsel to the firm until 1985.[3]
Board of pardons
In 1965, Latimer was appointed to the Utah State Board of Pardons. He served on the board until 1979. During that time he presided over the commutation hearings of murderer Gary Gilmore.[1] He never voted to commute a death sentence as he thought he should not overrule the decision of a judge and jury.[4]
Calley case
In 1969, Latimer was hired to represent Calley at his court-martial.[10] He was sought out because of his experience in both military and civilian courts. Latimer worked on the case until 1974, with appeals in the military and civilian courts. A U.S. district judge eventually found that Calley’s military trial was conducted in a way that violated his constitutional rights.[1]