If you are a regular reader of my column, it’s no secret that I have “issues” with some of our judges; mostly in family court after the years we spent observing then fighting guardianship.
Remembering the years of work it took to make people know – not only in our state, but nationally too, the dangers of guardianship and what happens to so many “protected people” previously known as “wards.”
Many of us who spent our time, money, frustration and countless sleepless nights have also kept track of some the judges who hear these cases in Family Court.
One in particular, Judge Charles Hoskin as well as some who are unbelievably soft on crime.
Early in The Vegas Voice pursuit of private guardian April Parks, I appeared with several of our team, attending the Clark County Commission meeting who oversee the judges’ handling of these types of cases.
We reported the devastating judgements that Judge Hoskin and his appointed Hearing Master, Jon Norheim. Norheim dealt daily with many seniors and disabled people who were in the guardianship trap.
The commissioners were shocked by our report. Eventually they were reassigned from guardianship matters to (believe it or not) children.
Knowing that this upcoming election includes voting for judges (which has always given me chills) prompts me to ask you all to think carefully when you make that choice.
For example, a 19-year-old man who was driving with his pregnant girlfriend, in excess of 100 mph approached a stop light with other cars waiting.
His girlfriend and their child, along with another driver were both killed at the scene. A 25-year-old driver of another car died following almost a month in a coma.
Prosecutors stated his actions were intentional. Trail is set for May.
Another case of questionable “judgement” (pun intended) is the case of a 15-year-old who, in 2022 who, while serving time in a camp for youthful criminals, struck a councilor in the head with a rock then sexually assaulted her.
District Judge Erika Ballou’s hammer came down, giving him six months in jail followed by probation. That young man is now 18 and was just indicted for car theft.
Prosecutors want his probation revoked. Shouldn’t that have been automatic?
I understand Judge Ballou has now been removed from criminal court, but it seems to me that our courts often are just too soft on crimes.
In my opinion as long as “we the public” are busy with our own lives should we, at least, know who the judges are and how before we vote on them?
