Editorial: Endorsing judicial candidates

Tuesday, Oct. 20, 1998 | 11:02 a.m.

Two new seats are being added to the Nevada Supreme Court. One of those seats will be taken by District Court Judge Nancy Becker who is running unopposed. In the seat that is being contested, there is no question that District Court Judge Myron Leavitt is preeminently qualified and deserves to be elected over his opponent, Michael Powell.

Leavitt's years of experience as a judge will no doubt be a benefit if he's elected to the Supreme Court. While to some observers it might seem a small matter, his handling of the abbreviated Jeremy Strohmeyer case was illustrative of the thoroughness and efficiency the Supreme Court could use. Although the case was settled in a plea bargain before opening statements started, it's significant that jury selection in the Strohmeyer case lasted just a few days; in Los Angeles, jury selection in such a high-profile case would have taken at least a few months to complete.

Leavitt, currently the District Court's chief presiding judge, has the knowledge and experience needed on the Supreme Court.

Meanwhile, there are seven District Court judgeships up for contention, with four of these being in the Family Court division.

In Department 13, Judge Mark Denton faces Don Haight, Phil Kohn and Melodie Swanson. After Don Chairez decided to resign this year as a District Court judge and run for Congress, a vacancy was created in this department. Gov. Bob Miller appointed Denton to replace Chairez.

Without a doubt, Denton is the candidate who has the best all-around credentials. Denton also has the judicial temperment that's needed and the intelligence to match.

Michael Cherry and Jim Mahan face each other in the Department 17 contest. Cherry has been a lawyer in Las Vegas for 28 years. During the last two years he has been Clark County's special public defender, primarily overseeing death penalty cases. Cherry is exceptionally bright and familiar with complex litigation. He should be elected as a District Court judge.

In Department 18, Las Vegas Municipal Judge Nancy Saitta faces Stephen Webster. Saitta has been a senior deputy attorney general and is a member of the Juvenile Justice Commission, demonstrating her commitment to child advocacy issues. Saitta, who supports early intervention and treatment programs to fight crime, deserves to be elevated and become a district court judge.

In Department 19, Drake DeLanoy and Family Court Judge Gary Redmon face off. DeLanoy, who has practiced law in Southern Nevada since 1962, has a strong background. He has been a chief deputy district attorney, assistant city attorney, a U.S. Air Force trial judge advocate and is a founding partner of one of the state's largest law firms. DeLanoy is the best man for the judgeship, bringing a diverse experience in public and private practice that will be welcome at District Court.

In the Family Court Department A race, Family Court Judge Bill Voy faces Jim Guesman, who recently was convicted of domestic battery against his girlfriend, a conviction Guesman says he will appeal. Voy put in place a Wednesday night court session and a fast-track system for trials and decisions, steps which were welcome. Voy is level-headed and has proven that he is more than worthy to earn election.

In Department D in Family Court, Nicholas DelVecchio is facing Judge Gerald Hardcastle. The incumbent is a solid jurist with a keen legal mind. Hardcastle's no-nonsense approach has brought efficiency to the courtroom and resulted in sound decisions, warranting his re-election.

In the Family Court Department E race, Robert Lueck is challenging Judge Fran Fine. The Nevada Commission on Judicial Discipline has voted to remove Fine for unethical conduct, a removal that Fine says she will appeal. We respect Fine and have differences with her opponent in this race. But because of a familial relationship Fine has had with the owners of this newspaper, we will not endorse a candidate in this race.

There is only one justice of the peace election that is being contested and that is between Mike Schaefer and Jennifer Togliati. As a deputy district attorney, Togliatti is assigned to the Crimes Against Women and Children Unit, prosecuting sexual assault charges. Togliatti does her homework and is a solid litigator, proving that she has the requisite skills to be a justice of the peace.

In contrast, her opponent does not have the judicial temperment to be a judge. Schaefer, a perennial candidate, was confined to house arrest during the primary election after he was convicted of misdemeanor charges of pepper spraying one of his neighbors.

Togliatti is far and away the best candidate. There should be no doubt that she deserves to be elected as justice of the peace.