Judge Bishop Answers Questions

Yes, I am the Justice of the Peace for Ely Justice Court. Justices of the Peace are commonly referred to as Judge, to avoid confusion with the Justices of the Supreme Court. 

Ely Justice Court is a court like you envision when you think of a court. I serve as a judge, just like you would envision. I preside over various hearings with witnesses and evidence, including jury trials. Most people think of courts as handling criminal cases and this is correct. Criminal cases, including misdemeanors and felonies are prosecuted in Ely Justice Court. But such cases are only part of the picture. Ely Justice Court also has a significant civil caseload, handing civil disputes between individuals with damages up to $15,000, protective orders, evictions and small claims. These matters can greatly impact individuals, local businesses, homeowners and families.

Parties to Justice Court proceedings have a right to have an attorney and the cases are serious matters, some of which can result in a loss of $15,000.00 or imprisonment in jail for up to 6 months.  Attorneys in these matters are trained in the law and experienced in courtroom litigation. While Nevada law does not require any legal training to serve as Justice of the Peace, as an attorney, I am better prepared to manage these cases effectively and ensure both sides are treated fairly.

Until you have litigated cases in a courtroom, it is difficult to know what it is like to manage a caseload and a courtroom. Laws are complex, changing and, at times, hard to read. Attorneys present compelling arguments, victims recant, witnesses refuse to cooperate and each case is new and has its own challenges. Jury trials present their own set of challenges. This can be difficult for even an experienced attorney and the cost of mistakes can be high. Having a background and experience aids in avoiding errors and ensuring cases are properly tried.