Editorial: Keep Kerns as judge

Friday, March 18, 2005 | 3:48 a.m.

WEEKEND EDITION

March 19 - 20, 2005

In this year's municipal election, one race will automatically be decided in the primary -- a contest for a Las Vegas municipal judgeship between incumbent Cedric Kerns and attorney Mat Harter. (In Las Vegas, unlike other cities in Southern Nevada, if just two candidates file for an office, then both candidates appear on the primary election ballot instead of squaring off during the general election.)

First elected in 1997, Kerns has been a leader as a Municipal Court judge. He has overseen a domestic violence probation program that better tracks offenders to see if they have committed another crime or have missed counseling. He also is the presiding judge of a specialized court that deals with habitual offenders who often have been involved in petty offenses. This innovative approach gives them a suspended jail sentence if they enter a halfway house, so that they can receive counseling, get help finding a job and receive treatment for drug and alcohol abuse.

Kerns understands that swift and harsh punishment should be handed out to those who deserve it, but he is also aware that rehabilitation is essential if we don't want offenders committing the same offenses again -- if not worse crimes. Las Vegans are fortunate to have Kerns as one of their Municipal Court judges. The Las Vegas Sun endorses Cedric Kerns.