Justices of the peace may start hearing defendant pleas

Thursday, Nov. 24, 2005 | 7:24 a.m.

Las Vegas justices of the peace may soon start hearing pleas from defendants, a move that could save valuable time for District Court judges and defendants alike.

Under a plan created by Chief Las Vegas Justice of the Peace James Bixler at least some of the nine justices in the court will be sworn in as District Court hearing masters allowing them to take pleas from defendants who are in custody.

"It saves an entire week for those sitting in custody," Bixler said. "This will save a chunk of time and ultimately money. It will make the District Court arraignment calendar much more manageable."

Bixler envisions the possibility of defendants entering pleas throughout the day in Justice Court, which could ultimately allow someone to enter a plea the same day they are arrested.

He said the idea has been received well by the majority of his fellow justices of the peace as well as Presiding Criminal Chief District Judge Stewart Bell and Chief District Judge Kathy Hardcastle.

Although Bixler hadn't discussed the concept with District Attorney David Roger or Public Defender Phil Kohn, he said he had received positive reactions from several of their deputies.

"Over the last year or so we've become focused on finding ways to improve customer service in Justice Court," Bixler said. "Anytime you can save money and time I think you are improving the system. We have plenty of other small hiccups in the system and over time we hope to take care of them all."

Bixler said he wasn't sure if all Las Vegas justices of the peace will want to be sworn in as hearing masters or that every District Court will want their respective justice of the peace to take on the extra responsibility.

He said in effort to make sure all of the bases are covered the proposal may be examined by Nevada Supreme Court Chief Justice Nancy Becker.

Bixler is optimistic that justices of the peace could start taking pleas as early as the first of the year.

His proposal comes in the wake of the appointment of Kevin V. Williams as the District Court's criminal arraignment master.

Williams, who comes to the court from the Clark County public defender's office, has worked as a public defender since 1990. During his career he has handled thousands of misdemeanor and felony arraignments. Williams earned his law degree from Georgia State University. He takes the bench in January.

Nevada law allows senior judges, sitting judges, senior justice of the peace, sitting justices of the peace and attorneys with more than five years' practice under their belts to be hearing masters.

Matt Pordum can be reached at 474-7406 or at pordum@lasvegassun.com.