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Clark County’s Eighth Judicial District Court has hired Wesley Yamashita to serve as Probate Commissioner. Yamashita replaces Thomas Biggar who retired in August.

Recently a partner with the law firm of Greene, Roberts, and Rasmussen, PLLC., Yamashita is a licensed attorney for the State of Nevada and was licensed in the State of Utah. He previously worked as an Alternate Hearing Master in the District Court.

Yamashita has been practicing primarily probate law in the State of Nevada for more than 20 years and was the top candidate out of an outstanding pool of applicants. He has the requisite skills and his knowledge of probate law will allow him to contribute immediately to the administration of probate matters with minimal transition time, according to Chief Judge Kathy A. Hardcastle.

INVESTITURE CEREMONY SCHEDULED FOR JUDGE ROBERT W. TEUTON

WHAT: Investiture ceremony for District Court Judge Robert W. (Bob) Teuton.

WHEN: 3:30 p.m., Tuesday (Oct. 7).

WHERE: Las Vegas City Council Chambers, 400 East Stewart, Las Vegas.

EVENT: During this ceremony, Judge Teuton will formally be administered the oath of office and will receive his judicial robe.  Members of the judiciary, including the Nevada Supreme Court and the Clark County Courts, will attend the ceremony.  A reception will follow the ceremony at the Courthouse Bar and Grill, 330 S. Third Street, Las Vegas.

Media reported this morning the Simpson trial will dismiss early this afternoon. That was incorrect. Court is  scheduled to run 8 am to 6 pm PDT, today (Sept. 25).

Court Dark Days:
Sept. 30
Oct. 9

Early Dismissal Days:
Sept. 29
Oct. 8

See Media Trial Guide for full details. http://www.clarkcountycourts.us/media.html

An important call will take place Friday (Sept. 12) at 10 a.m. to discuss seating and other loose ends in preparing for State v. Simpson.  As I realize many are concentrating on Ike, I will record the call and post it.

Media Call:
218-486-7200  Enter Bridge Number: 716XXX

Important Notes:

• Cable Pull Sunday (Sept. 14) 2 pm - 5 pm PDT, at Casino Center and Bonneville.
• Monday (Sept. 15) Trial Begins with Opening Statements at 8 a.m. in Courtroom 15A.
• Media Credentials can be obtained on the second floor of Court Administration beginning at 7 a.m. Monday (Sept. 15).
• A seating chart will be in effect and will be mailed to everyone and posted at http://www.clarkcountycourts.us/media.html.  Credentials would be required, but I will work to waive the requirement for Monday’s Opening Statements.

Hurricane Ike has redeployed national media crews away from the jury selection.  FOX, NBC, CNN, and CBS are focusing on hurricane coverage and indicate they will consider a return when the court proceeds with opening statements.

”YOUR DAY IN COURT” PROGRAM OPENS UP DOORS TO THE FEDERAL AND STATE JUDICIARY

WHAT: Tours and community education about the local court systems.

WHEN: 8:30 a.m. – 12 noon., September 27, 2008.

WHERE: Clark County Regional Justice Center, 200 Lewis, (8:30 a.m.) and Lloyd D. George U.S. Courthouse, 333 Las Vegas Boulevard South, (10 a.m.).

EVENT: The program will introduce various aspects of Nevada’s limited jurisdiction courts, the state trial court system, bankruptcy court and the federal trial court system. Participants will meet with judges and have the opportunity to ask questions about their jobs, the types of civil and criminal case filings and the trends affecting the judiciary. In addition, the courts will provide tours of the courthouses and invite participants to discover the working process of the judiciary.

The Clark County Courts Information Office will post updates during the trial in State v. Simpson to www.twitter.com/lvcourts.

Reminder:

Media Planning Call Wednesday (Sept. 3) at 10 a.m. PDT

218-486-7200 Enter Bridge Number: 716XXX

We will discuss planning needs for:

• Pooling
• Parking
• Credentialing
• Media Setups
• Courtroom Access
• Decorum Order

The Clark County Courts Administration Badging Office would like local media to pick up credentials in State v. Simpson on the following dates next week (Aug. 26-28):

• Tuesday (8/26) - 9:30 - 11:30 a.m.
• Wednesday (8/27) - 9:30 - 11:30 a.m.
• Thursday (8/27) - 9:30 - 11:30 a.m.

The badging office will be located at the south entrance glass booth outside the south security entrance. Due to budget constraints the court must collect $5 per badge to cover costs. Please bring $5 per badge and a photo identification to pick up your badge. Each person must sign for their own badge, so please make arrangements to pick up your own badge during the times listed (the badging office won’t allow anyone to pick up multiple badges).

Weekly media planning calls begin August 13, 2008 and repeat every Wednesday through August:

Wednesdays 10 a.m. PDT
218-486-7200 Enter Bridge Number: 716XXX

Many have contacted the court in the past few days inquiring about media credentials. In case you missed the deadline, we will accept credential requests until Thursday, (Aug. 14, 2008). Forms can be obtained at http://www.clarkcountycourts.us/media.html or you can find them attached. A photo must be sent ASAP to info@clarkcountycourts.us.

The following media have already requested credentials (a complete list is attached):

• ABC NewsRadio
• AP
• CBS Radio News
• Clear Channel Radio
• CNN Radio
• Fox News
• In Session
• KDWN
• KVWB
• KLAS
• KNX
• KTNV
• KVVU
• LA Times
• Las Vegas Sun
• NBC News - Today
• Reuters News Pictures
• Sky News
• Spiegel Online
• Miami Herald
• The Press Association (UK)
• Tru TV
• Turner Broadcasting
• UPI
• Vanity Fair
• Vegas Buzz News

We have not received multiple applications from Fox News (crew and talent), CNN (crew and talent), ABC news (crew and talent) or NBC News (crew and talent). If you feel you have already applied and don’t see your name on the attached list, please contact the Court Information Office.
The court is working with Clark County Information Technology to facilitate phone service. The county will require a connection fee and an application must be approved prior to contacting Embarq for phone service. We will have that form approved this week. If you require phone, ISDN, or DSL service, please contact me with your specific needs.

Parking for media will be faciliated in the same manner as in prior hearings. A daily parking fee does apply. NOTE: If you have not paid a past due balance, the county will not allow you to park in the lot.

All of these issues will be addressed during the weekly media planning call scheduled for:

Wednesdays 10 a.m. PDT
218-486-7200 Enter Bridge Number: 716XXX