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“Info about the Eighth Judicial District Court.”

Monthly Archives: November 2015

20/11/15 Love is all you need

 

Every day we get bombarded by negative news. It can be overwhelming and depressing to constantly be reminded of the toll hate takes in this world. The power of love was on display big time at the Family Court adoption marathon. You cannot help but be inspired by the actions and the ultimate sacrifice that adoptive parents make to provide loving and stable homes for kids who just want to be loved. It was inspiring to see parents of a gaggle of happy kids all dressed coordinated and snazzy for the occasion, adopting two more to their diverse lineup of adorable children. It was heartwarming to hear a beaming, beautiful, 12-year-old whose adoption became official say that her face hurt because she was smiling so much. Applause erupted after the adoptions of two young girls; after which one of the girls ask, “Who won?” Without skipping a beat, her new mom replied, “You did.”

There is a big need in our community for adoptive and foster parents. There is also a big need for CASA volunteers and others who help kids with less than favorable circumstances. There were lots of smiles, tears, hugs and plenty of love and joy to go around at Family Court during the adoption marathon. Who won? We all did.

For more information about adoption, call the Clark County Department of Family Services at 702-455-0800 or e-mail DFSAdoptions@ClarkCountyNV.gov. For information on CASA, please call 702-455-4306, visit www.casalasvegas.org or Facebook at www.facebook.com/#!/CASALasVegas.

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18/11/15 Experience the joy of gifting a toy

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Those who are looking to do something nice this holiday season and don’t know what to do are invited to experience the joy of gifting a toy. Fostering Futures (formerly known as the CASA Foundation) will distribute the toys to children in foster care. The court Marshals initiated collecting new unwrapped toys in giant gift boxes at the Regional Justice Center, 200 Lewis Ave and at Family Court at 601 N. Pecos Road.  Toys can be dropped off until 2 p.m. on Dec. 4.  They will be delivered to CASA kids on Dec. 12. Gifts can also be dropped off at Rachel’s Kitchen locations. For information on CASA (Court Appointed Special Advocate Program), please call 702-455-4306, visit www.casalasvegas.org or Facebook at www.facebook.com/#!/CASALasVegas.

 

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17/11/15 Family Court Judges to tell all at upcoming Bench Bar

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The Family Division judges will spill the beans on what they’re really looking for at the Family Bench Bar meeting this Thursday, Nov. 19 at noon in courtroom 9 at the Family Court, 601 N. Pecos. Discovery is also on the agenda. Attending family lawyers may pick up some information on how to make their lives easier and their practice more effective.

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14/11/15 Former County Commissioner Myrna Williams Recognized For Her Contributions Supporting Founding Family Court

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Those in attendance cheered as little girl wandered into the ceremony and Judge Frank Sullivan remarked, “that’s what this place is all about.”

Elected officials come and go in Clark County, but former County Commissioner Myna Williams will get a permanent place as a community pillar in the Family Court for her work to establish the division of District Court that handles family law.

The Eighth Judicial District Court, Family Division Today unveiled a plaque commemorating the contributions of the former commissioner. Those in attendance cheered as little girl wandered into the ceremony and Judge Frank Sullivan remarked, “that’s what this place is all about.”

“Commissioner Williams’ work and commitment helped to make the Family Division a reality. Myrna Williams recognized the value in having a court dedicated to family issues and presided over by judges who understand the unique challenges those families face,” said Family Division Presiding Judge Charles Hoskin. “Her vision and contributions decades ago, have benefited so many in our community during some of their most difficult times.

Myrna Williams political career extends from 1985 to 2006, including ten years in the Nevada Assembly. She served three terms as a Clark County Commissioner from 1994 to 2006

The Family Division has been serving our community for more than 20 years. Family Court offers and atmosphere and services focused on addressing family law. The Legal Aid Center of Southern Nevada operates the Family Law Self-Help Center at the Family Court and  a  website at  http://www.familylawselfhelpcenter.org/ to help those who represent themselves at the court.

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13/11/15 Veterans’ Court Recognizes Military Service For Those Working To Complete Specialty Court Treatment

In honor of Veterans’ day, the American Legion Spirit of Freedom Post 76 presented the flags of the five major branches of the armed services (Army, Navy, Marines, Air Force and Coast Guard) to the Eighth Judicial District veterans’ court. A small ceremony honored the military service of the veterans. The flags will remain on display in Presiding Specialty Court Judge Adriana Escobar’s courtroom.

Since Sept. 2012, the veterans’ treatment court has helped veterans who are facing criminal charges as a result of substance abuse. Veterans’ court is one of several Eighth Judicial District specialty courts that save millions of tax dollars by averting repeated incarcerations due to substance abuse offenses and related crimes. There are currently 32 active participants in veterans’ court and 48 graduates since 2012.

“Veterans’ Day reminds us of the needs many of our troops face as they return from the battlefield. We provide treatment for those who have turned to drugs and alcohol and end up on the wrong side of the law. It is also important that we acknowledge and honor their service to our country,” said Judge Adriana Escobar who presides over the specialty courts.

Veterans’ courts are hybrid drug and mental health courts that use the drug court model to serve veterans struggling with addiction, serious mental illness and/or co-occurring disorders. They promote sobriety, recovery and stability through a coordinated response that involves cooperation and collaboration with the traditional partners found in drug and mental health courts and agencies including the Veterans Administration, the Las Vegas and Henderson veterans’ centers and Choices Group.

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05/11/15 Celebrate Love a Lawyer Day this Friday with an opportunity to get more love

This Friday is Love a Lawyer Day. In fact, the first Friday of every November has been declared as “love Your Lawyer Day” by the American Bar Association. A proposal on their website states: “Lawyers have consistently been the target of verbal bashing, derogatory portrayals and literature is rife with lawyer bashing dated back hundreds of years.” The declaration establishes it as a “day for the public to celebrate lawyers and express their gratitude to them for their affirmative contributions to the public good and the administration of justice.”

The ABA encourages attorneys throughout the nation to “celebrate “Love Your Lawyer Day” to help promote a positive and more respected image of lawyers and their contributions to society and that they do so by providing pro bono legal services to their communities and supporting charitable causes that promote the administration of justice.”

National Love Your Lawyer Day was launched in 2001 by the American Lawyers Public Image Association as “a day to celebrate lawyers for their many positive contributions and to encourage the public to view lawyers in a more favorable light.” Here’s where I’m going to put in a shameless plug for some of the great programs who could use the volunteer services of some lovable lawyers: In addition to the great work lawyers do every day, Friday would be a good opportunity for lawyers to show how really lovable they are by volunteering to do pro bono work, or volunteer to be a Truancy Diversion judge, serve as a CASA, or participate in some other form of volunteerism.

Lawyers really do work hard and we appreciate them, especially the one who provided services to those in need.

Check out the volunteer opportunities below and have a happy Love a Lawyer Day.

For those interested in volunteering with the Court Appointed Special Advocate (CASA)program to serve as a voice for kids in foster care, monthly orientations are held on the third Wednesday of each month to provide more information about the program. Upcoming orientations will be held at the Government Center, 500 S. Grand Central Pkwy. For more information about the program please call 702-455-4306, visit www.casalasvegas.org or Facebook at www.facebook.com/#!/CASALasVegas.

Judges, attorneys and other qualified applicants volunteering approximately three hours each week to and hold truancy court sessions at schools where they meeting individually with students and their parents. They review the students’ attendance, school work, and progress to ensure that students have the resources they need to be successful. The TDP judges promote and support academic achievement using a team effort and an individual student success plan. If you are a licensed attorney, mental health professional or law enforcement officer and are interested in volunteering as a TDP judge for this Specialty Court program please contact DeDe Parker at: 702-321-2410.

Attorneys who step up to volunteer to do pro bono work, not only benefit the litigant, they benefit themselves with a rewarding experience that can be used for continuing legal education. Attorneys who are interested in volunteering can call the Legal Aid Center of Southern Nevada at 702-386-1070

Check out the ABA’s full proposal on Love a Lawyer Day https://www.americanbar.org/content/dam/aba/images/abanews/LoveYourLawyerDay.pdf.

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