Editorial: Halverson must go

Tuesday, June 5, 2007 | 6:54 a.m.

The courtroom conduct of District Judge Elizabeth Halverson must not be allowed to continue. We wish that the judge herself would resolve the matter by resigning.

But if she declines to show that much respect for the community and justice system, we hope the Nevada Commission on Judicial Discipline takes action against her.

Three sources familiar with official responses to Halverson's behavior as a rookie judge have hinted to Las Vegas Sun reporter Sam Skolnik that the commission has been investigating reports about her for weeks.

Included are reports that she naps at the bench, berates attorneys appearing before her and speaks against attorneys who did not contribute to her election campaign. In one case she violated procedure by speaking to jurors outside the presence of attorneys.

She once allowed personal bodyguards to circumvent courthouse security, which resulted in the chief District Court judge banishing her from the courthouse. Increasingly, lawyers are opting to have any judge but Halverson hear their civil cases.

For the sake of justice, the commission should suspend Halverson while it investigates her conduct. And from what we've seen, we believe the commission should follow through by removing her from the bench.