Judge Halverson permanently removed after losing Supreme Court appeal

By Cy Ryan

Monday, Jan. 31, 2011 | 1:46 p.m.

CARSON CITY – The Nevada Supreme Court has upheld the permanent removal of Clark County District Judge Elizabeth Halverson for multiple counts of willful misconduct.

The court backed the decision of the Nevada Judicial Commission, which ruled there were multiple counts of improper behavior to justify the ouster of Halverson, who was suspended from the bench in July 2007. She lost a bid for re-election in August 2008.

The commission found her guilty on counts of sleeping during hearings, making improper contact with jurors, mistreating her staff and improperly hiring two bodyguards.

The court, in a decision issued Monday, said it agreed with the judicial commission "that the evidence demonstrates that Judge Halverson’s testimony lacks credibility.

"This lack of credibility and an apparent unwillingness to admit mistakes, combined with sufficient evidence of willful misconducts lead us to conclude that Judge Halverson cannot serve as a judge," the court said.

The court, however, absolved her of two counts of talking to the press, saying she was protected by the First Amendment.

Halverson was accused of mistreating her staff, berating them with foul language and requiring her bailiff to massage her feet, neck and shoulders. She fired one bailiff and brought in two people who weren't licensed to serve in the position.

The judicial commission found there was sufficient evidence to show Halverson slept during portions of two criminal and one civil trial, and that she improperly talked with jurors during their deliberations.

With her removal, Halverson can never again serve as a judge.