Archive for July, 2007
Korean Judicial Delegation Plans Visit To Las Vegas Courts
Posted by Michael in District Court on July 30th, 2007
A delegation of Korean judges and court administrative officials will visit the Eighth Judicial District Court Monday (Aug. 6) and Tuesday (Aug. 7) for two days of observation and education at the Regional Justice Center, 200 Lewis Ave, and the Family Courts and Services Center, 601 N. Pecos Ave.
The delegation has several goals for its visit, namely:
1) to observe a trial;
2) to engage judges and court staff in discussions regarding their job responsibilities/division of labor;
3) to engage judges and court staff in discussions regarding the use of oral arguments and proceedings, how judges preside over jury trials, as well as various details regarding trial procedures;
4) and, to participate in a tour of the court and observe the general workings of the court.
The delegations will be led by the Honorable Yong Suk Shin, Presiding Judge, Jecheon Branch Court, Cheongju District Court and Chang-hak Jo, Presiding Judge, Daegu District Court. They will be hosted by Chief Judge Kathy Hardcastle of the Eighth Judicial District Court.
Judge Gonzalez To Hear Dept. 23 Cases Thursday and Friday (July 26-27)
Posted by Michael in High Profile, Judges on July 25th, 2007
Judge Elizabeth Gonzalez will hear Morning Calendars Thursday (July 26) and Friday (July 27) in Department 23 in response to the Final Interim Suspension Order issued this afternoon by the Nevada Commission on Judicial Discipline. The District Court has requested a Senior Judge from the Administrative Office of the Courts and it is expected the Supreme Court will assign a Senior Judge to fill in for Judge Elizabeth Halverson beginning Monday (July 30). The District Court is working with Judge Halverson to ensure a smooth transition takes place so that the court can continue to provide citizens with access to the court and its services.
Shawn Shelton Sentenced
Posted by Michael in District Court, Sentencing on July 3rd, 2007
Saying “I can’t be like a normal kid,” a young man told District Court Judge Michelle Leavitt this morning how he feels now in the aftermath of a 2006 kidnapping and rape that left the teen with a lack of trust and a fear of police. The testimony came in the sentencing for Shawn Shelton who was convicted earlier this year on four counts including, First Degree Kidnapping, Sexual Assault with a Minor under Sixteen Years of Age, Battery with Intent to Commit Sexual Assault with a Minor under Sixteen Years of Age and Use of a Minor in the Production of Pornography.
During Shelton’s trial the 14-year-old victim took the stand and described how he was approached by Shelton, who told him he was a policeman. The victim then described how he was taken to an area of the desert and was forced to perform fellatio on Shelton.
Today, Judge Leavitt sentenced Shelton to a sentence of 35 years to life in the Nevada Department of Corrections. If he is paroled, Shelton must register as a sex offender and will be placed under lifetime supervision. Shelton did not address the court.