Editorial: Family Court candidates are endorsed

Friday, Oct. 25, 2002 | 9:05 a.m.

Today the Las Vegas Sun endorses candidates running for contested judge positions in District Court's Family Division. Judge Art Ritchie in Division H has no opponent, so he will be automatically re-elected. Family Court presides over matters such as divorce, separation, child custody and child support. It also handles cases involving juvenile delinquents and issues temporary protection orders. In the mid and late 1990s the court came under severe criticism for shortcomings such as judicial arrogance, gender bias, and delayed, illogical and inconsistent decisions. Reforms were undertaken, three divisions were added, and in recent years the criticisms have subsided.

Division G was created by the 1995 Legislature to break the logjam of juvenile cases. Judge Cynthia Dianne Steel became the division's first judge in 1997 and has been Family Court's presiding judge for the past three years. She has excelled in both administrative matters and judicial decisions. Additionally, she has worked outside the courtroom for Southern Nevada families, having been one of the driving forces behind Donna's House, Clark County's first supervised child visitation and exchange center. The Sun endorses Judge Cynthia Dianne Steel.

A former family law attorney, Division I Judge Cheryl Moss has established a reputation for logical decisions, ethics, community service and long hours in her first term. She showed initiative in establishing a night court. Her opponent, family law attorney Phil Beuth, looks good on paper but has a bad habit of unprovoked negative campaigning. The Sun endorses Judge Cheryl Moss.

Judge Lisa Brown had her own family law practice before becoming a deputy attorney general specializing in family matters. In 2000 she was elected as judge in the newly created Department J. Her opponent, attorney Thomas Kurtz, has served Family Court for the past three years as alternate hearing master. He is an excellent candidate, but there is no reason why Brown should not be reelected. She has served Family Court well. The Sun endorses Judge Lisa Brown.

The same situation exists in Division K. Judge Nicholas Anthony Del Vecchio is doing an outstanding job and has earned re-election. His opponent, Michelle Darquea, an assistant attorney general who has extensive family-law experience in New York and Nevada, is a high-quality candidate. But there is no reason not to return Del Vecchio to the bench. The Sun endorses Judge Nicholas Anthony Del Vecchio.

Fernando Guzman's experience -- 23 years as a Family Court hearing master -- gives him the edge in Division L over his opponent, Jennifer Elliott, who is a family therapist and court-appointed mediator and arbitrator. As a hearing master, Guzman's recommendations to judges have been well reasoned and logical. His decisions from the bench will follow that pattern. The Sun endorses Fernando Guzman.