Attorneys have many reasons for keeping informed of Nevada courts and judges news and trends. Attorneys need to keep track of appointments as judges die or retire in order to correctly file papers with the court. Courts may change their procedures and administrative rules, which can affect the way that attorneys do their jobs. Attorneys also may want to know a judge’s legal education and background, as it may affect how a judge comes to a decision.

Anyone who wishes to stay current on news related to the Nevada court system should identify key legal websites in Nevada and check them periodically for updates. The best sources of information on news and trends on Nevada courts and judges include the following:

1. Independent news sources on Nevada state judges and courts, such as blogs, newspapers and magazines. These sources are the most likely to provide unbiased opinions or news about a court or judge.
2. Court websites. These sites on courts and judges in Nevada are the best source of official news and trends, such as current appointments and court decisions.
3. Organizations for legal professionals. Meetings of these organizations provide opportunities to get inside news information on courts and judges.
   

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Study sources of unbiased news and trends for Nevada judges and courts

Journalists frequently report on news and events that affect the Nevada judiciary in online newspapers and magazines. Attorneys and law professors also may provide opinions on recent court decisions in blogs and journals.

I recommend: Appealing in Nevada is dedicated to discussions on Nevada law, especially recent news and rulings for the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals. Steven J. Klearman & Associates' Legal Blog provides current news and information on cases in the Nevada courts.

Review NV courts and judges websites to get official news and other information

Nevada courts and judges websites are the best places to get current news about judges for a particular court, as well as information about upcoming appointments and retirements. A Nevada court also may publish important court decisions and opinions on the official website, which can help attorneys stay informed of the latest ruling trends.

I recommend: The Supreme Court of Nevada provides official news bulletins on the Nevada court system. The United States Bankruptcy Court, District of Nevada offers current news and updates about this court.

Join professional legal organizations to get inside news on NV judges and courts

Nevada bar and attorney organizations hold meetings to evaluate and discuss legal news and trends. These meetings also provide an opportunity to hear from attorneys who actually have tried cases before a particular Nevada court or judge.

I recommend: The State Bar of Nevada has informal meetings and also publishes legal news and opinions on Nevada court cases. The Clark County Bar Association has events, like the US District Court Meeting, that allow attorneys to learn news and information on courts and judges in Nevada.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  There also are online forums dedicated to news and trends in the courts of Nevada. These forums may have a separate directory for each court and typically invite readers to discuss and evaluate news on courts and judges based on personal experience. The evaluation methods may consist of surveys, polls and votes that include reader comments.

A basic knowledge of the Nevada court system can be very beneficial if you ever find yourself in the courtroom. All too often individuals and businesses find the need to file a lawsuit, or are at the receiving end of a lawsuit, and their lack of knowledge on how the court system works leaves them lost in the proceedings. Regardless of the circumstances that put you there, it helps to understand the court process and know a little about the individual overseeing your case.

It’s important to understand that there are multiple courts in each state that oversee different types of cases. Each of these courts has Nevada state judges that administer the law and case process. When considering Nevada courts and judges, keep the following in mind:

1. Many court websites provide forms to assist you in filing a case in district courts in Nevada.

2. The Supreme Court only hears appellate cases and has seven appointed NV judges.

3. You can find information on bankruptcy court cases in Nevada using the nationwide Public Access to Court Electronic Records (PACER) system.

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Perform a Nevada court search to locate your local courthouse

The lowest tier of the Nevada court system includes 48 justice courts and 17 municipal courts. Justice courts handle minor misdemeanor cases, traffic violations and civil cases up to $10,000. The municipal courts also handle minor misdemeanors and have exclusive jurisdiction on cases involving ordinance violations. The small claims court in Nevada is part of both courts, with municipal courts handling cases up to $2,500 and justice courts up to $5,000. In the next tier of the court system are the district courts, located in each of the 17 Nevada counties. These courts oversee criminal cases and civil matters over $10,000. They also have exclusive jurisdiction in probate, domestic relations and juvenile matters.

I recommend: Connect to a U.S. district court in Nevada website through the National Center for State Courts. The Supreme Court of Nevada provides links to justice and municipal court websites. Download PDF or Word document versions of case forms from county websites, such as the Clark County Courts.

File an appeal in the Nevada court system

The purpose of an appellate court is to review the trial transcript and original evidence of a case to determine if there were any errors in the original case decision. There are no witnesses, jurors or new evidence in a case heard before an appellate court. District courts have exclusive jurisdiction on initial appeals filed in both civil and criminal matters. The seven judges on the Nevada Supreme Court hear appeals filed on decisions made by district courts or through the appointment of initial filings.

I recommend: Access biographical information for NV judges of the Supreme Court on the The Supreme Court of Nevada website. Hire an attorney to assist you with your appellate case, such as Tami D. Cowden. Learn more about Attorney Cowden, her practice, and general appellate law on the Appealing in Nevada website.

Access records from bankruptcy courts of Nevada

Whether you need to search for a bankruptcy filing on a debtor or determine if bankruptcy is an option for you or your company, the Nevada Bankruptcy Courts can assist you with both. The Nevada bankruptcy court provides information on the basics for bankruptcy filing, contact information for trustees and bankruptcy attorneys and an online search of Nevada bankruptcy records through the PACER system (Public Access to Court Electronic Records).

I recommend: Obtain basic bankruptcy filing information on the U.S. Bankruptcy Court – District of Nevada website. Visit the bankruptcy court records search provided through the District of Nevada Document Filing System.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  Regardless of how much knowledge you have of courts and judges in Nevada, you should hire an attorney who specializes in your specific type of case.

Nevada courts and judges laws and regulations govern how judges resolve disputes in interpreting and applying the law. These laws are passed by the various legislative bodies in Nevada, such as the Nevada state legislature, and are enforced by the executive branch of government. A party that is dissatisfied by the decision of the trial court typically may appeal to the intermediate Court of Appeals. They also may have the option of asking the highest state court to hear the case.

The assignment of a case in the Nevada court system is determined by the court that has jurisdiction. There are three general types of courts in Nevada:

1. County courts. These NV courts generally have jurisdiction over traffic cases and other misdemeanors. The vast majority of these cases are resolved without a trial.
2. District courts. A federal district court of Nevada has jurisdiction over federal issues and is subject to review by a United States court of appeals.
3. Supreme Court. There is only one Supreme Court of Nevada and it consists of a panel of judges. A federal court only may overrule a state supreme court when there is an issue of federal jurisdiction.
   

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Learn about the laws regarding county courts of Nevada

Nevada county courts are the workhorses of the Nevada judicial system and decide most cases in Nevada. NV judges in county courts commonly handle matters of probate law, traffic law and family law. Local rules for county courts address the procedures for assigning cases, issuing subpoenas and filing discovery motions.

I recommend: Churchill County offers the general court rules and also has guidance for both plaintiffs and defendants. The Douglas County Government lists its rules for courtroom decorum and demeanor.

Examine laws that affect a US district court in Nevada

District courts in Nevada are the trial courts for the federal court system. They also include courts that handle bankruptcy law as separate units of the district courts. District courts have rules that govern court procedures, such as filing civil actions, making motions and requesting continuances.

I recommend: The United States District Court, District of Nevada is located in Reno and offers a link to its local rules. The Nevada Legislature provides a complete set of rules that apply to all of the district courts in Nevada.

Review the laws governing Nevada state judges

The Nevada Supreme Court is the highest state court in Nevada and generally only hears appeals involving state law. It does not make finding of facts and, therefore, does not hold trials. The Supreme Court issues rules for topics like judicial conduct, the discipline of attorneys and the publication of opinions.

I recommend: The Supreme Court of Nevada offers a list of rules, such as the Code of Judicial Conduct. The State of Nevada Commission on Judicial Discipline provides the Nevada Code of Judicial Conduct as approved by Nevada's Supreme Court.