Letters of Interest Due by August 15, 2020
Pursuant to NRS 4.032, the Las Vegas Township Justice Court is seeking attorneys in good standing to apply for the following positions:
- Justice of the Peace Pro Tempore
- Small-Claims Justice of the Peace Pro Tempore
- Traffic Justice of the Peace Pro Tempore
A Justice of the Peace Pro Tempore will preside over various types of criminal and civil matters when a Justice of the Peace or Hearing Master is unavailable.
A Small-Claims Justice of the Peace Pro Tempore will preside over Small-Claims matters.
A Traffic Justice of the Peace Pro Tempore will preside over daily court hearings for the general public, “walk-in” attorney sessions that are held on various days each week, and “bulk” attorney sessions where attorneys can resolve large amounts of traffic tickets at one time.
All Pro Tempore Justices of the Peace serve on an as-needed basis.
An applicant may apply and be selected for any combination of the above categories. However, the following rules apply:
(A) A Justice of the Peace Pro Tempore who is designated to hear all case types may not be named as attorney of record or make any appearance in any case pending in the Las Vegas Justice Court during his or her term of service. This is a personal restriction that does not affect other attorneys in the law firm of a Justice of the Peace Pro Tempore.
(B) A Small-Claims Justice of the Peace Pro Tempore may not be named as attorney of record or make any appearance in a Small-Claims case pending in the Las Vegas Justice Court during his or her term of service. This is a personal restriction that does not affect other attorneys in the law firm of the Small-Claims Justice of the Peace Pro Tempore.
(C) A Traffic Justice of the Peace Pro Tempore may not be named as attorney of record or make any appearance in any traffic matter pending in the Las Vegas Justice Court during his or her term or service. This restriction applies to walk-in attorney sessions, bulk attorney sessions, pre-trial negotiations, and trials. This is a personal restriction that does not affect other attorneys in the law firm of the Traffic Justice of the Peace Pro Tempore.
An attorney interested in any of these positions must submit a letter of interest which identifies the position(s) sought, along with a resumé, on or after Monday, June 15, 2020, and no later than 5:00 PM on Saturday, August 15, 2020, via e-mail to Joe.Tommasino@clarkcountynv.gov.
(These specific deadline dates were established by LVJC Administrative Order #16-04: http://lasvegasjusticecourt.us/Admin%20Order%2016-04.pdf.)
Submissions may also be sent by regular mail to:
Staff Attorney Joe Tommasino
C/O Justice Court Administration
Justice Court, Las Vegas Township
200 Lewis Ave., 2nd Floor
Post Office Box 552511
Las Vegas, NV 89155-2511
By submitting an application, the applicant agrees that the court may conduct a criminal background check as well as a bar-status check with the State Bar of Nevada.
Moreover, a Justice of the Peace Pro Tempore must meet the qualifications set forth in NRS 4.010, including prior licensure and admission to practice law in the courts of Nevada, another state, or the District of Columbia, for at least five years. All individuals selected for any of above positions must also be approved by the Justices of the Peace and the Clark County Board of County Commissioners.
Any Justice of Peace Pro Tempore who is a candidate for a contested judicial office may not serve as a Pro Tem in the Las Vegas Justice Court until (1) he or she withdraws from the race; (2) he or she is defeated in the primary election; or (3) the November general election has passed.
Before the next ensuing term of service begins, individuals who have been selected as a Justice of the Peace Pro Tempore, Small Claims Justice of the Peace Pro Tempore, and Traffic Justice of the Peace Pro Tempore for the 2021-2022 panel must attend a mandatory orientation in November or December of 2020 (with a specific date still to be determined). This requirement may only be waived by the Chief Judge upon written request and for a good cause shown.
If you have any questions or if you need more information, please contact Staff Attorney Joe Tommasino at (702) 671-3424.
