Applications due for Leavitt’s seat

Thursday, Jan. 22, 2004 | 9:32 a.m.

CARSON CITY -- Applications are now being accepted for an appointment to succeed the late Supreme Court Justice Myron Leavitt, who died Jan. 9.

The deadline for submission is Feb. 19 and interviews will be conducted March 18 in Carson City.

The selection commission will nominate three people, and the final selection will be made by Gov. Kenny Guinn. The person chosen will serve until January 2005. The seat will be open for election this year.

Chief Justice Miriam Shearing, chairwoman of the state Commission on Judicial Selection, said Wednesday that while Leavitt's chambers were in Las Vegas, the person appointed can be accommodated at the Supreme Court building in Carson City.

"There is no southern or northern seat; there are only Nevada seats," Shearing said. Six of the seven seats on the court have been occupied by former District Court judges from Clark County.

The state Board of Examiners on Wednesday recommended an emergency $5,000 appropriation to pay for the meeting and processing of the applications of those applying for Leavitt's seat.

Secretary of State Dean Heller was absent from the Examiners Board meeting and Attorney General Brian Sandoval participated by telephone from Las Vegas. Guinn, the chairman of the board, was the only member present in Carson City for the short meeting.

There was no discussion. The request for the money goes to the Legislative Interim Finance Committee, which meets Jan. 28. Applications for the seat are available in the Supreme Court offices in Las Vegas and Carson City. Those who want further information should contact Christine Kuhl at the administrative office of the courts in Carson City at (775) 684-1706.