By Chief Judge Melisa De La Garza
With the end of the year in the rearview mirror and the new year inviting a moment of reflection, Las Vegas Justice Court is proud to announce that the Las Vegas Justice Court Fiscal Year 2025 Annual Report—our first published annual report since 2011—was just distributed.
This report reflects far more than statistics, charts, and narratives. It represents the unwavering dedication of every member of the Las Vegas Justice Court—judges, commissioners, court division administrators, managers, frontline staff, and those who work tirelessly behind the scenes. It captures the work we do each day with integrity, professionalism, and compassion. Most importantly, it demonstrates to our justice partners, stakeholders, and the communities we serve that we are committed to transparency, continuous court improvement, and equal access to justice.
I must extend my deepest gratitude to the Fiscal Year 2025 Annual Report Committee, Kelly Macatangay (Chair), Grissell Hernandez, William Jimenez, Audrey Love, Maureen Lowe, and April Thomas, for their leadership, hard work, and thoughtful preparation of this publication. I must also thank all court division administrators, managers, and their teams for gathering information, sharing achievements, and ensuring that this report reflects the full scope of our mission and values.
Releasing this report with the new year is meaningful. It allows us to pause and acknowledge the tremendous progress we have made. Whether serving in the courtroom, in public-facing divisions, or in critical behind-the-scenes support roles, each member of the Las Vegas Justice Court plays an essential part in moving the court forward.
The Annual Report will be available on our website (lasvegasjusticecourt.us) for your ongoing reference, and we will continue to build on this foundation in the months ahead.
As we enter 2026, the Las Vegas Justice Court wishes each of you and your families warmth, safety, and joy. We will continue to serve our community with professionalism and a commitment to justice.
About the author
Judge Melisa De La Garza was raised in Las Vegas and graduated from Eldorado High School. She received her undergraduate degree from UNLV and her J.D. from Creighton University. Her legal career has included being a Deputy District Attorney, Deputy Public Defender, private practitioner and Hearing Master. In 2018, Judge De La Garza was elected as a Justice of the Peace for Las Vegas Justice Court. She was elected to be Chief Judge in 2024.
About the article
This article was originally published in the Communiqué (Jan. 2026), the official publication of the Clark County Bar Association. The printed magazine was mailed out to CCBA members 12/30/2025.
The articles and advertisements appearing in Communiqué magazine do not necessarily reflect the opinion of the CCBA, the CCBA Publications Committee, the editorial board, or the other authors. All legal and other issues discussed are not for the purpose of answering specific legal questions. Attorneys and others are strongly advised to independently research all issues.
© 2026 Clark County Bar Association (CCBA). All rights reserved. No reproduction of any portion of this issue is allowed without written permission from the publisher. Editorial policy available upon request.