Provost faces triple challenge for judge

Wednesday, April 21, 1999 | 10:38 a.m.

Three candidates are challenging Henderson's Department 2 Municipal Court Judge John Provost.

Provost, 38, heard more than 250 trials in 1998 and presides over adult and juvenile traffic arraignments.

An eight-year Henderson resident, he was appointed to the Municipal Court bench in 1996 and elected in 1997.

Provost started a pilot Drug Court program, offering rehabilitation and drug testing for offenders. He offers Monday evening court for those who work days.

He says his efforts to bring drug, alcohol and domestic violence counseling to those in jail will allow a more productive use of time and assures that those detained would receive counseling.

Here is a look at Provost's challengers:

A three-year Henderson resident, Dushoff was a New York City public defender for three years before moving to Nevada.

His experience ranges from civil and criminal litigation to civil rights violations. His campaign platform includes programs to deal with domestic violence, drunken driving, fire-code violations and graffiti.

Dushoff was appointed in 1998 to serve on the inaugural Statewide Sexual Assault Task Force. He's a member of the Southern Nevada Domestic Violence Task Force Legislative Committee.

Dushoff said he would ensure that the courts see domestic abuse as a legal problem rather than a "family problem to be handled at home." Violators should not only complete counseling, he said, but also pass counseling with a written report from the counselor.

Carlson said he would work to accommodate senior citizens and the disabled who are victims of crime and would seek programs such as anger control for domestic abusers while protecting battered spouses and children.

Before moving to Henderson, the former Michigan police officer and Marine veteran of the Vietnam War worked for the Lewis & Clark Legal Clinic in Oregon, which provided free legal services.

While working for the district attorney's office in Portland, Ore., Carlson prosecuted nearly 100 jury trials and court cases and served as an administrative law judge for the state. He has been a resident in Henderson since 1996.

A Henderson resident since 1952, Bair has completed more than 75 credits at the Community College of Southern Nevada, where he studied law and criminal justice. Bair also attended the Metro Police citizen's training academy.

Bair said his platform includes protecting constitutional rights.