Friday, May 13, 2022 | 10:59 a.m.
William Voy, a pioneering Clark County District Court judge, announced his retirement today after spending nearly 25 years on the bench, according to the Eighth Judicial District Court.
Appointed by then-Gov. Bob Miller in 1998, Voy spent his first five years on the bench hearing domestic matters related primarily to divorce, custody and child support.
He also presided over the Adult Mental Health Civil Commitment Court and was selected in 2003 to preside over the Juvenile Delinquency Court.
His retirement is effective May 31.
“For the last 24 years, it has been my great privilege and honor to serve the families and citizens of Clark County and the state of Nevada,” Voy said in a letter to Gov. Steve Sisolak and Nevada Supreme Court Chief Justice Ron Parraguirre. “I look forward to being able to serve the families and citizens of Nevada in the future.”
Voy did not address any future plans.
In 2005, Voy established the nation’s first specialty court for sexually exploited youth. He also oversaw the state’s first Juvenile Diversion Court and Mental Health Court and helped to implement the Juvenile Detention Alternatives Initiative, reducing the daily average population in detention by half, according to the court.
Voy helped develop the nation’s first Probation 24/7 Intensive Supervision Unit, the court said.
Voy has been a key figure in the Keeping Kids in Schools Summits, which aim to improve student success and graduation rates, the court said.
Voy also oversaw the Truancy Diversion Program to reduce and prevent youth crime.
“Striving to find good in the youth who appeared before him, Judge Voy has been an innovative leader in creating programs to provide structure and help rather than punishment where appropriate to guide children to better choices and a better life,” presiding Family Division Judge Rebecca Burton said in a statement.
“Judge Voy will be greatly missed by his colleagues, community partners and the families he has assisted,” Burton said.
Prior to serving on the District Court bench, Voy spent 10 years in private practice in Las Vegas and served as a captain in the U.S. Army Judge Advocate General’s Office, stationed at the Walter Reed Army Medical Center in Washington, D.C..
He received his law degree from Williamette University in Salem, Ore., in 1986.
