On March 12, 2021, Eighth Judicial District Court Judge Linda Marie Bell and Nevada Supreme Court Chief Justice James W. Hardesty filed an administrative order in the matter regarding all court operations in response to COVID-19. For more information, see below for Administrative Order 21-03—a 29-page PDF file to download:
See below for highlights from the order:
“The order continues the EJDC’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic. For purposes of clarity and to avoid confusion, this order supersedes AO 20-21 through 2013, 20-16, 20-17, 20-22, 20-23, 20-24, AND 21-01. Any portions of those orders that remain in effect are included in this order. AO 20-14 (the process for electronic processing of search warrants) remains in effect. Except where otherwise noted, this order takes effect upon filing.”
The 29-page order covers a variety of concerns for court operations and procedures, and provides direction on the following topics:
- Safety and precautions:
- Screening protocols
- Appearances by alternative means
- Mandatory face coverings
- Meetings
- Policies
- Social Distancing
- Attorney obligations
- Limited re-opening of the clerk’s office to in-person filing
- Continuances
- Courtesy copies
- Depositions
- Discovery (civil and domestic)
- Electronic service
- Hearings
- Original signature requirements
- Proposed orders
- Rule 16.1 (civil), 16.2 (domestic), and 16.205 (custody) early case conferences
- Settlement conferences (civil, criminal, and family divisions)
- Specialty courts (all divisions)
- Sealed documents
- Service of process
- Summonses and certified copies
- Trials
- Writs of execution and writs of garnishment
- Alternative dispute resolution
- Extension of time deadlines
- Evictions and foreclosures
- Response time for offers of judgment
- Rule 16 conferences
- Subpoenas
- Short trial program
- Criminal matters:
- Certified copies
- Grand jury
- Guilty pleas
- In-custody appearances
- Out-of-custody appearances
- Domestic matters:
- Confidential reports
- Motions
- Guardianship
- Juvenile dependency cases:
- Adjudicatory hearings
- Termination of parental rights proceedings
- Adoptions
- Court-ordered admissions to mental health facilities
- Child Haven and parent visitation
- Timely filing of orders
- Juvenile delinquency cases:
- Signatures on juvenile written admissions
- Probate
- Court facilities:
- Family Court and Services Complex
- Family Law Self-Help Center
- Family Mediation Center
- Donna’s House Central
- Court Appointed Special Advocate Program
- Regional Justice Center
- Civil Law Self-Help Center
- Traffic
- Family Court and Services Complex