Judicial selection in Nevada
| Judicial selection in Nevada | |
 | |
| Nevada Supreme Court | |
| Method: | Nonpartisan election |
| Term: | 6 years |
| Nevada Court of Appeals | |
| Method: | Nonpartisan election |
| Term: | 6 years |
| Nevada District Courts | |
| Method: | Nonpartisan election |
| Term: | 6 years |
Judicial selection refers to the process used to select judges for courts. At the state level, methods of judicial selection vary substantially in the United States, and in some cases between different court types within a state. There are six primary types of judicial selection: partisan and nonpartisan elections, the Michigan method, assisted appointment, gubernatorial appointment, and legislative elections. To read more about how these selection methods are used across the country, click here.
This article covers how state court judges are selected in Nevada, including:
- Nevada Supreme Court,
- Nevada Court of Appeals,
- Nevada District Courts, and
- Limited jurisdiction courts
As of April 2023, judges in Nevada were selected through nonpartisan elections. Click here to notify us of changes to judicial selection methods in this state.
Nevada Supreme Court
- See also: Nevada Supreme Court
The seven justices of the Nevada Supreme Court are elected to six-year terms in nonpartisan elections. When their terms expire, justices must run for re-election if they wish to remain on the court.[1]
Qualifications
To serve on the Nevada Supreme Court, a person must:
- be at least 25 years old;
- be licensed and admitted to practice law in Nevada, and have been licensed and admitted to practice law in the United States for at least 15 years, including at least two years in Nevada;
- be a qualified elector; and
- have been a state resident for at least two years preceding the election[2]
Chief justice
The chief justice of the supreme court is chosen according to seniority. According to state law, if there are two or more eligible justices, the chief justice is determined by lot.[3] Alternatively, the internal operating procedures of the supreme court allow the possibility of an agreement between eligible justices.[4] According to the Administrative Office of the Courts in Nevada, often the eligible members of the court will agree to a lesser term as chief justice if there are multiple eligible justices in the last two years of their terms who want to serve in that capacity. Such agreements have been memorialized by a court order or other official document filed with the clerk.[5]
Vacancies
In the event of a midterm vacancy, the Nevada Commission on Judicial Selection solicits and screens applicants. The commission presents a list of three nominees to the governor, who appoints one to fill the vacancy until the next general election. If the predecessor's term is not expiring that election cycle, the appointed justice must win the election to the court to serve the remainder of the unexpired term.[6]
The map below highlights how vacancies are filled in state supreme courts across the country.
See also
External links
Footnotes
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 National Center for State Courts, "Methods of Judicial Selection: Nevada | Selection of Judges," accessed August 20, 2021
- ↑ Nevada Legislature, " NRS 2.020 Qualifications," accessed August 20, 2021
- ↑ Nevada Legislature, "NRS 2.030 Election; Chief Justice," accessed August 20, 2021
- ↑ Nevada Judiciary, "Nevada Supreme Court: Internal Operating Procedures," May 20, 2021
- ↑ This information was provided to Ballotpedia in an email from the Administrative Office of the Courts in Nevada.
- ↑ Administrative Office of the Courts, "FACTS and FAQs," accessed August 20, 2021
- ↑ 7.0 7.1 Nevada Legislature, "Chapter 2A - Court of Appeals," accessed August 20, 2021
- ↑ 8.0 8.1 Nevada Legislature, "The Constitution of the State of Nevada," accessed August 20, 2021 (Article 6 Section 3A)
- ↑ 9.0 9.1 Nevada Legislature, "The Constitution of the State of Nevada," accessed August 20, 2021 (Article 6 Section 20)
- ↑ Nevada Legislature, "The Constitution of the State of Nevada," accessed August 20, 2021 (Article 6 Section 5)
- ↑ 11.0 11.1 Nevada Legislature, "Chapter 3 - District Courts," accessed August 20, 2021
- ↑ 12.0 12.1 12.2 Nevada Legislature, "Chapter 4 - Justice Courts," accessed August 20, 2021
- ↑ Nevada Legislature, "Chapter 266 - General Law for Incorporation of Cities and Towns," accessed August 20, 2021 (NRS 266.405)
- ↑ 14.0 14.1 Nevada Legislature, "Chapter 5 - Municipal Courts," accessed August 20, 2021
- ↑ Supreme Court of Nevada, "Overview of the Appellate Courts," accessed August 20, 2021
- ↑ 16.0 16.1 National Center for State Courts, "History of Reform Efforts: Nevada," accessed August 20, 2021
- ↑ Nevada Legislature, "Constitutional amendments to be voted upon in state of Nevada at general election, November 2, 1976," accessed August 20, 2021
- ↑ Nevada Legislature, "Constitution," July 28, 1864
- ↑ U.S. Courts, "FAQ: Federal Judges," accessed March 26, 2015
- ↑ American Bar Association, "Judicial Selection: The Process of Choosing Judges," accessed August 10, 2021
Federal courts:
Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals • U.S. District Court: District of Nevada • U.S. Bankruptcy Court: District of Nevada
State courts:
Nevada Supreme Court • Nevada Court of Appeals • Nevada District Courts • Nevada Justice Courts • Nevada Municipal Courts • Clark County Family Court, Nevada
State resources:
Courts in Nevada • Nevada judicial elections • Judicial selection in Nevada
