On March 19, 2026, the Eighth Judicial District Court in Clark County, Nevada, announced that Judge Tierra Jones has been selected by unanimous vote of the bench to fill the role of chief judge, effective July 1, 2026. She will succeed Chief Judge Jerry Wiese, who is term-limited in the role of chief after serving in the role for four years. The chief judge is responsible for managing the administration of the court while maintaining a caseload. Judges serving in the District Court vote to fill the chief judge post based on nominations. Judge Jones currently serves as the presiding criminal division judge and oversees the management of cases for the homicide docket, in addition to presiding over a heavy homicide caseload.
Judge Jones took the bench in department 10 of District Court on May 22, 2017, after appointment by Governor Brian Sandoval. Her docket in department 10 has included both criminal and civil cases.
“I am honored to have earned the trust of the entire District Court bench to take on this important role,” said Judge Jones. “I realize that the post of chief judge carries great responsibility and I am ready to meet the challenge to continue to build on the work and accomplishments we have achieved.”
Judge Jones has dedicated her legal career to public service. Immediately after law school, she worked as a law clerk for the Honorable Stewart L. Bell in the Eighth Judicial District Court. After passing the State Bar, she worked for the Office of the Clark County Public Defender. She then began her prosecuting career at the Nye County District Attorney’s Office and later moved on to the Clark County District Attorney’s Office. During her time as defense attorney and a prosecutor, she appeared in court almost every day. She completed more than 35 jury trials, including several high-profile cases, and she argued before the Nevada Supreme Court.
Mentoring young law students has been a priority for Judge Jones, who has a strong track record of community service. She has accomplished this goal through the National Bar Association as a volunteer judge and coach for mock trial and moot court. She has also been active in community work through the Junior League of Las Vegas and Leadership Las Vegas, where she helped to promote future leaders from various professional backgrounds.
“Judge Jones has served a key role on the executive committee during my term as chief. She brings strong insight and ideas, and a great work-ethic to her role,” said Chief Judge Jerry Wiese. “Judge Jones wealth of knowledge and experience will be invaluable when addressing the challenging role of chief judge.”
Judge Jones, the first African American woman to serve on the District Court in the State of Nevada, grew up in the small town of Hawthorne. She attended the William S. Boyd School of Law and obtained her Juris Doctorate in 2006.
District Court judges and staff continuously work to develop new ideas, maximize efficiencies and improve access to justice.
For more information about the Nevada Eighth Judicial District Court, visit clarkcountycourts.us.
Source: Mary Ann Price, Court Information Officer, Eighth Judicial District Court