Tag Archives: Courts
May 17, 2018 As school year winds down those who motivate students to graduate to be recognized
Chronic absence correlated to high dropout rates has long been an issue in Nevada’s public schools. A recent report shows recent improvement in Clark County graduation rates. According to the Clark County School District (CCSD), one of the key programs to combat habitual absenteeism is the Truancy Diversion Program (TDP). As the school year winds down, it is a perfect time to recognize Truancy Diversion Program volunteers who commit to a school-year of weekly truancy diversion court sessions to keep kids in school and on track to graduate. The volunteer judges/mentors will be recognized on Friday, May 18 from noon to 2 p.m. at the Social Club Ballroom at Main Street Station 200 N. Main Street. The volunteers will be given an award and the opportunity to share their experiences of helping students attain an education. The TDP volunteers see first-hand how keeping a student in school can be the difference between failure and graduation; and between a path of crime and a path of success.
District Court Judge William Voy currently oversee the TDP that was established by Judge Gerald Hardcastle in 2002, and overseen by Judge Jennifer Elliott in collaboration with the Clark County School District (CCSD) for 10 years. “As a judge who hears juvenile cases, I see firsthand the importance of education and graduation. The Truancy Diversion program has proven to be an effective part of the strategy to keep students in school and on track to graduate. The volunteers are key to this much-needed program, and their work has done much to improve the path of many students,” said Judge Voy. “The Truancy Diversion Program not only benefits those students who are struggling to complete their education, but it benefits our community as a whole.”
In the 2016/2017 school-year, the TDP was in more than 80 CCSD elementary, middle schools and high schools. In the 2017/2018 school year, the TDP program plummeted to 40 participating schools, due to the ending of grant for the program from the Office of Juvenile Justice Department of Prevention Keeping Kids in School and Out of Court (OJJDP). Since the grant expired, funding has been an issue, since each school must use school funds to pay for the program.
Those without a high school diploma face higher prospects of unemployment and the associated negative consequences. This collaborative effort between the CCSD has been structured to prevent and reduce youth crime, re-engage students in learning, and ultimately, reduce potential costs to our welfare and justice systems. It is a non-punitive, incentive-based approach to at-risk school students with truancy problems. “Kids who successfully complete school have a much better chance at success in life than those who drop out,” said Presiding Family Court Judge Bryce Duckworth. “Truancy is often the first step off the path to success. The Truancy Diversion Program addresses the issue and keeps students in school and on track to graduate.”
Judges, attorneys, mental health professionals and law enforcement officers volunteer approximately three hours each week to hold truancy court sessions at schools. They promote and support academic achievement using a team effort and an individual student success plan 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 goal of the Eighth Judicial District Court Family Division is to continue to expand until all Clark County schools have a TDP program.
Licensed attorneys, mental health professionals or law enforcement officers who are interested in volunteering as a TDP judge for this Specialty Court program should call 702-455-1755. The Family Court youth programs are a great example of how the Eighth Judicial District Court is using alternative, efficient methods to address crime and ensure justice. District Court continuously works to develop innovative ideas, improve efficiency, address issues and improve access to justice
Tags: Courts, Education, Judge Bryce Duckworth, Judge Jennifer Elliott, Judge William Voy, Las Vegas, Las Vegas courts, Truancy, Truancy Las Vegas, truancy prevention
November 5, 2015 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.
Tags: attorney tips, Clark County Courts, Courts, Eighth Judicial Dist, Las Vegas courts, Love a Lawyer Day
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- Posted under Lawyer Opportunities
August 21, 2015 Foreclosure Law’s a changin’ and there’s a free CLE class to help you figure it out
Did you know the SFR Investments decision is impacting foreclosure law in Nevada? The Legal Aid Center of Southern Nevada in cooperation with the District Court is offering a free continuing legal education class (1.5 CLE credits) on the update on Nevada foreclosure law after the SFR Investment Decision. The class is Friday, Sept. 11 from noon to 1:30 p.m. A complimentary lunch will be provided by Judge Nancy Allf, who is also the moderator. Other speakers will include Judge Joanna Kishner and Attorney Brent Larsen. The class is free if you take one new child abuse/neglect pro bono case. Don’t delay in signing up for this class RSVP@SWlaw.com. Check out the flier below to get more details.
Foreclosure Law CLE Flyer_Updated
Tags: Continuing Legal, Courts, Education, Free CLE, Las Vegas Court
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July 31, 2015 Call For Retired And Soon To Be Retired Cops To Suit Up To Protect The Courts
A Nevada Supreme Court Marshal Critical Labor Shortage Designation in District Court eliminated a barrier to hiring former police officers as deputy marshals. The Eighth Judicial District Court is now calling on retired and soon to be retired officers to apply for jobs to protect the courts. The Nevada Supreme Court issued an Order that clears the way for former cops to work in marshal jobs without adversely affecting their Public Employee Retirement. It is intended to help ease a critical labor shortage of marshals who are tasked with maintain the safety, security and administration of justice for all District Court facilities in Southern Nevada, including the Regional Justice Center. The intent is that former officers (jail detention officers, corrections officers, bailiffs/deputy marshals) who are P.O.S.T. certified can continue a law enforcement career with the marshal force and continue to collect their retirement.
Retired or soon to be retired category one peace officers interested in applying should complete a bailiff/deputy marshal application from the county website employment section http://www.clarkcountynv.gov/depts/human_resources/Pages/EmploymentOpportunities.aspx.
“We are enthused about the prospect of hiring qualified law enforcement professionals to join in the mission to serve the public and protect the courts,” said District Court Chief Judge David Barker. “This is a good opportunity for retired category one peace officers to use their skills to continue a fulfilling law enforcement career while they collect their retirement.”
The labor shortage is attributed to several factors including the requirement for law enforcement training and certification and employment classification of the post. Nevada’s high court also ordered the Eighth Judicial District Court to conduct a classification and compensation study for deputy marshals.
This is one of many creative ways District Court is working to resolve the excessive vacancy problem in the marshal division. District Court is also actively recruiting military veterans to join the marshal force. The court is working with the Las Vegas Urban League, Nevada Partners, the Nevada Department of Employment Training and Rehabilitation and the College of Southern Nevada to sponsor military veterans for the Criminal Justice Academy P.O.S.T. certification.
Tags: Court employment, Courts, district court, Law enforcement employment
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November 4, 2014 New CASA Volunteers Put Dent Into Big Need For Much Needed Advocates For Foster Children
A chorus of new Court Appointed Special Advocate (CASA) volunteers were sworn in today at a ceremony at the Eighth Judicial District Family Court. The newly trained volunteers will help fill a very big need for advocates to speak on behalf of foster children in our community. Many more volunteers are needed to advocate for the nearly 3,500 children receiving services under supervision of Family Court. Last year, more than 900 children had a CASA volunteer to help them navigate through the system, and deal with school challenges and home life. The goal is to get a volunteer to be a voice for every foster child.
“Advocating for a foster child just a few hours each month, can make a very important difference in the life of a child,” said Family Court Judge Frank Sullivan, who oversees the CASA program. “I urge members of the community to consider volunteering for the CASA program. It will be a truly rewarding experience for those who volunteer.”
The CASA program recruits, screens, trains and supports volunteers to represent the best interests of hundreds of foster children annually. The advocates represent the children in school, child and family team meetings, and in court. Volunteering for the program involves a two-year commitment and a willingness to spend quality time with the children to advocate for them. In 1980, Judge John Mendoza led the creation of the Clark County CASA Program. The CASA mission continues to be fully supported by Family Court judges.
For those interested in volunteering with CASA, 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 http://www.casalasvegas.org or Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/#!/CASALasVegas.
Tags: CASA, Courts, Eighth Judicial District Court, Foster Children, Las Vegas, Las Vegas courts, Las Vegas FAmily Court, Nevada Court
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February 4, 2014 Choices Recovery Tree
The Nevada Eighth Judicial District specialty court service provider Choices is having an open house at their new location on Feb. 5 from 2 to 6 p.m., at 2725 E. Desert Inn Road Suite 180. The recovery tree pictured in this photo, has the signatures of hundreds of graduates who are working, paying taxes and caring for their children, instead of committing crimes, victimizing our community and ultimately revolving through our prisons. Choices will have a canvass print made of this tree that was in their old building and start a new tree in their new facility for the hundreds more who will turn over a new leaf.
Tags: Choices; Nevada; District Court, Courts, drugs, eighth judicial district, recovery; LasVegas; drug court; specialty court
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June 26, 2012 Keeping Kids In School
The Truancy Diversion Project (TDP) volunteers who keep kids in school got high marks and praise for their work. The purpose of the TDP is to be an effective tool assisting the Clark County School District to reduce absenteeism and the dropout rate and thereby reducing the number of students entering the formal juvenile justice court system. To volunteer e-mail drose@clarkcountycourts.us.
Tags: CCSD, ClarkCountySchoolDistrict, Courts, FamilyCourt, Lasegas, LasVegas, Truancy
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- Posted under In the community
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