Know Before You Vote: How the Different Levels of Courts Work
9/17/2024 | 1m 38sVideo has Closed Captions
Nevada’s nonpartisan judges explained: Supreme, district, justice, and municipal court roles.
In Nevada, judges are elected in nonpartisan races, meaning they don’t run with party affiliations. Learn the roles of different courts: the state Supreme Court, which handles appeals; district courts, overseeing various legal disputes; justice courts, dealing with misdemeanors and small claims; and municipal courts, focusing on local ordinance violations.
Know Before You Vote: How the Different Levels of Courts Work
9/17/2024 | 1m 38sVideo has Closed Captions
In Nevada, judges are elected in nonpartisan races, meaning they don’t run with party affiliations. Learn the roles of different courts: the state Supreme Court, which handles appeals; district courts, overseeing various legal disputes; justice courts, dealing with misdemeanors and small claims; and municipal courts, focusing on local ordinance violations.
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Our state is one of only 12 states that elects its judge through nonpartisan elections.
Meaning the judges you vote for in November are not runnin as a Republican or a Democrat.
But what exactly is a difference between the judges on the ballot and what do they do?
First up, the State Supreme Court.
It is the highest court in the state.
After District Court hears a case and rules on it, the case can be appealed to the State Supreme Court.
From there, the State Supreme Court can review and rule on appeals.
It can affirm, modify or reverse the lower court's decision.
There are seven justices and serve six year terms.
Next, the District Courts.
These courts oversee all legal disputes; civil criminal, family and juvenile.
There are 82 District Court justices across, and that is 17 counties.
Now to justice courts.
And these courts handle misdemeanor crimes and traffic violations along with evictions and small claims, which are less than $15,000.
Plus, the 63 justices handle preliminary hearings and arraignments, where defendants first say whether they are guilty or not guilty.
And finally, Municipal Courts.
These courts take care of civil air traffic.
Violations of local ordinances within city or county limits.
So if the city of Las Vegas outlawed rent cards, for instance, and you just happen to drive a red car, you could wind up in Municipal Court.
Stay engaged, stay informed and happy voting.
