Hardcastle to replace Gaston in Juvenile Court

Sandy Thompson

Friday, Sept. 8, 2000 | 10:12 a.m.

Family Court Judge Gerald Hardcastle will take over as the full-time juvenile judge in January.

Hardcastle, who previously served on the juvenile bench, will replace Judge Bob Gaston and will hear child abuse and neglect cases, which comprise about two-thirds of Juvenile Court. Juvenile delinquency cases will be handled by Family Court Presiding Judge Dianne Steel.

Last week the Family Court judges voted to reassign Gaston to hear regular Family Court domestic relations cases.

On Thursday the judges voted to make the change effective in January. They also extended Steel's term as presiding judge until December 2002, according to court rules recently authorized by the Nevada Supreme Court.

The reassignment was made because of philosophical differences between Gaston and the other judges, and his failure to consult with them in setting policies.

Public criticism of Gaston's handling of several high-profile juvenile delinquency cases had been mounting in recent months. The judge had refused to certify some young offenders as adults because he said studies show that sending them to adult prisons doesn't rehabilitate them.

According to a court news release, Steel and Hardcastle will supervise three juvenile masters and oversee such functions as the drug and truancy courts, compliance with federal guidelines regarding permanency planning for foster children, certification of high-risk youthful offenders, intervention efforts and the Foster Care Review Board.

Assistant Court Administrator Christina Chandler said the assignment of two judges to handle Juvenile Court matters was based on increased volume and the "complexity" of juvenile cases.

The judges had been discussing how best to deploy resources in anticipation of three new judges who will take office in January, bringing the total number of Family Court judges to 11.

"Judges Steel and Hardcastle are committed to focusing on the fundamental responsibilities of the Juvenile Court and look forward to serving in their new roles, working with challenged families and skilled professionals in the field of juvenile justice," Chandler said.

It is not known whether there will be a shift in policy in dealing with juvenile delinquency cases.

Hardcastle, who served as juvenile judge for four years, created a dental program for foster children and supported the creation of the juvenile drug court.