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Halverson denies judicial panel's allegations

Now commission can set hearing date

CARSON CITY -- Attorneys for suspended Clark County District Judge Elizabeth Halverson on Tuesday denied allegations made in a 14-count complaint filed against her by the Judicial Discipline Commission.

Commission special prosecutor Dorothy Nash Holmes filed the complaint Jan. 7, alleging bizarre behavior including mistreating staff members, sleeping during trials and having illegal communication with jurors.

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  • In addition to the denial of the allegations, Halverson's response says the complaint does not identify a state law or judicial canon that was violated for use to discipline her.

    The conduct identified in the complaint "was not willful misconduct, does not involve willful or persistent failure to perform the duties of office, or habitual intemperance," the response says.

    Now that she has responded, the commission can set a date to hear the matter, unless it grants a stay requested by her. Halverson, who could be removed from the bench permanently, has been suspended with pay since July. She has filed for re-election.

    Halverson has asked for a stay of the proceedings while the Supreme Court considers a separate but related petition seeking to have the disciplinary proceedings dismissed.

    The court has accepted the petition and directed the Judicial Discipline Commission to respond. In the petition, Halverson said the proceedings should be dismissed because the commission has taken too long to proceed on the matter, violating her constitutional rights of due process.

    The order directing an answer says Halverson has set forth "issues of arguable merit" in seeking to have all pending charges against her dropped because of delays in pursuing the formal charges.



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    onewhoknows wrote on February 02, 2008 03:54 PM: Magie- I think you are 100% correct. I currently work at the RJC. Most of the Judges have done the same and MORE than Halverson has been "accused" of doing.

    MANY Judges have snoozed in court. One is notorious for doing so. Yet, no charges were brought against him.

    Anyone who even mentions they like Halverson or agree with her is immediately ostracized.

    I know Johnny Jordan. He told me directly he was pressured into saying those things about Halverson by Spoor and Human Resources. He is terrified by this whole thing.

    Mary Jane Morrison is personel friends of Hardcastle. She is helping by providing nasty news copy about Halverson so ignorant people like "bill" who posted here will believe her nonsense.

    Those that do not believe this can't be true should come work at the RJC. You will see for yourself.

    It IS true. WAKE UP PEOPLE. HALVERSON IS BEING SET UP.


    UNBELIEVABLE wrote on February 01, 2008 08:34 AM: Magie...

    fyi wrote on January 19, 2008 01:02 PM: U.S. Department of Justice
    950 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW
    Washington, DC 20530-0001
    Criminal Division

    Office of Enforcement Operations, Director, 202-514-6809

    Public Integrity Section, Chief, 202-514-1412

    'The Public Integrity Section oversees the federal effort to combat corruption through the prosecution of elected and appointed public officials at all levels of government. The Section has exclusive jurisdiction over allegations of criminal misconduct on the part of federal judges and also monitors the investigation and prosecution of election and conflict of interest crimes. Section attorneys prosecute selected cases against federal, state, and local officials, and are available as a source of advice and expertise to other prosecutors and investigators. Since 1978, the Section has supervised the administration of the Independent Counsel provisions of the Ethics in Government Act.'


    Bill wrote on January 30, 2008 08:43 PM: Fatty just needs to roll back into the pit from where she came... I'm tired of reading about her.


    magie wrote on January 30, 2008 08:49 AM: I would like to know how much time and money has been spent on this so called investigation of Halverson's conduct.

    Then I would like to know how many and why other pending complaints (2years old) before the same panel are still pending? Complaints with less "STARS".

    Seems to me that there is a person or group of people with in this Justice
    system that have targeted Halverson. I have personal knowledge of outrageous
    acts performed by the finest of Judges and staff. Beleive me, she isn't the first to sleep on the Bench, and won't be the last. That also goes for the profanity. The poor "bailiff" she had. Let's feel sorry for him. But for years another female bailiff was called a bitch, deprived of lunches and breaks, and much, much more. While some of the Chief Judges and administration admitted they knew the conduct by her supervisor was ocurring. She complainted to her chain of command, and Judges. But, again she became a target. Once you tand up for your self you will always be a target in that system. The Media plays the same game with pick and choose what they want the public to know. And they must keep the best interest of some ofthose so, so important Judges in mind. All government employee's should be open to the public. This community would be shocked.