Monday, March 21, 2005 | 10:29 a.m.
David S. Gibson Jr. Democrat Age: 30 Occupation: Private attorney focusing on civil and criminal litigation, Clark County Outlying Courts pro-tem Justice Court judge Web site: davidgibsonforjudge.com Endorsements: Las Vegas Metropoplitan Police Managers and Supervisors Association, Nevada AFL-CIO
Diana Hampton Democrat Age: 39 Occupation: Recently stepped down as criminal prosecutor for the city of Henderson specifically to run for this post Web site: dianahampton.com Endorsements: Henderson Police Officers Association, Veterans in Politics
Michael L. Miller Democrat Age: 54 Occupation: Henderson Municipal and Justice Court pro-tem judge
Kenneth Walter Long Republican Age: 35 Occupation: Prosecutor with the North Las Vegas City attorney's office Web site: kenlongforjudge.com Endorsements: Henderson Chamber of Commerce
The four candidates for the newly created Henderson Municipal Court Judge Department 3 position say reducing the court backlog and employing creative alternative sentencing procedures are key issues in the race.
The candidates are private attorney and Laughlin pro-tem Justice of the Peace David S. Gibson, Jr., the nephew of Henderson Mayor James Gibson; former Henderson city prosecutor Diana Hampton; North Las Vegas city prosecutor Kenneth W. Long; and Michael Miller, who serves as both a pro-tem Henderson municipal judge and pro-tem justice of the peace.
To avoid a general run-off between the top two vote-getters, the top vote-getter must receive during the April 5 primary 50 percent plus one vote for the six-year post. Early voting began Saturday and continues through April 1.
"This court was created because of Henderson's explosive growth and so we can expect an increase in growth-related crime," Gibson said. "Some say they wish we had it two years ago. There is a backlog of about 5,000 contempt warrants alone."
Gibson said one of his clients, a student who fell behind in paying on a $500 fine, was arrested on a Thursday and, because the city is closed Friday through Sunday, spent four days in jail.
"We need to look at the backlog and, depending on whether it is a minor infraction, we may want to consider amnesty for some, setting up new payment plans or reducing the fine to avoid the cost of jailing people," Gibson said.
He recommends perhaps having the new court operate Tuesdays through Fridays.
Hampton says the act of creating a third court will on its own reduce the backlog to some degree.
"The major problems are keeping up with the growth rate and crimes related to the growth rate so that people are safe," she said. "Henderson residents still feel safe walking the streets at all hours of the day and night. I feel we need more officers on the streets to keep it that way."
Hampton is the wife of a Henderson Police officer.
Long said to reduce the backlog, he would "work super hard to hold attorneys' feet to fire so backlog doesn't exist. There is no reason continue cases four or five times.
"We can also hold pre-trials on one morning a week to try to settle as many cases as possible."
Miller said some of the backlog of cases will be eliminated by the creation of the third judge, but "we do not know what the Legislature will do about putting more officers on the street.
"Hopefully it will be more of a deterrent to crime but still it will mean more arrests and more cases. We will have to address that as we address the growth issue."
Here's what the candidates say about alternative sentencing:
Gibson: Set aside a block of three hours a month to meet with 50 to 60 attorneys (one at a time) and see if we can eliminate 500-600 cases in one afternoon. And we have to utilize community service as part of sentences.
Hampton: Take time to hear people's mitigating circumstances. As a prosecutor I have helped lower fines of seniors who get a traffic ticket but are on on a fixed income or a single mother in the same position. We have to help the people who need to be helped and punish those such as the DUIs and those who commit acts of domestic violence.
Long: Offer those who deserve a reduction in sentences the reduction up front and find new alternative methods. However I will not accept negotiations on domestic violence cases that allow for civil resolutions or for dismissing charges if the defendant stays out of trouble for a short while. The offender will view the system as being too easy.
Miller: Domestic battery and DUI must be handled expeditiously because we need to protect the community. But we also need to work to get to underlying problems so that the offender does not come back. Warehousing them is just a short term solution. Alternative sentencing is good in some cases, such as making youths scrub their graffiti off of walls.
Here's a further look at the candidates:
Gibson
A native of Henderson. Graduate of Henderson's Basic High School and UNLV's Boyd School of Law. Currently involved in a community outreach program serving the legal needs of underprivileged members of the North Las Vegas, Las Vegas and Henderson communities. On being the nephew of the mayor, grandson of State Sen. James I. Gibson, son of attorney David S. Gibson, Sr.: "I am proud of my family's history and what they have done for this city and this state. They set a great example of how to be a public servant. However, I am my own person and I want people to judge me on my own merits and my own ability. I want people to elect me as their judge because they trust that I will serve them admirably." On how much he might have to spend to win should the race go to the general election: $50,000 to $60,000.
Hampton
A licensed attorney in Nevada for nearly five years. Became a Henderson deputy city attorney in 2202. A Southern Nevada resident since 1966. Received undergraduate degree from UNLV and law degree from California Western School of Law. How much she expects to spend if the race goes to the general-runoff: $40,000.
Long
A fifth generation Southern Nevada native. Graduate of Las Vegas High School, where he was a four-year letterman in varsity cross-country and track. Earned his bachelor's degree at Brigham Young University and law degree from the University of San Diego. Former FBI agent and former Clark County deputy district attorney. Instructor for the Southern Nevada Law Enforcement Academy. How much he expects to spend if the race goes through to the general election: $5,000 - $10,000.
Miller
Graduated from Bishop Gorman High School. Earned his bachelors of science degree in accounting from the University of Nevada Reno and law degree from Gonzaga University. Served as a Clark County deputy public defender for 25 years. How much he expects to spend if the race goes through to the general election: "I do not know. It could take as much as $60,000 to win this race."
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