Department VIII

Courtroom Protocol

No weapons are allowed.

Proper courtroom attire is required. No shorts or tank tops are allowed in the courtroom, shoes are required. T-shirts, which show offensive slogans or pictures, are not allowed. Hats should be removed before entering the courtroom.

While in the courtroom, sit quietly when court is in session. Do not talk or whisper. The court proceedings are being recorded by a court recorder and noise can interfere with the preparation of this important record.

All beepers, cellular telephones, and electronic devices must be turned off before entering the courtroom. Avoid reading newspapers, or books in the courtrooms, particularly if your use of such material may be a distraction to others.

Attorneys are expected to maintain the highest ethical standards at all times, and to strictly adhere to the opportunities, requirements, limitations, and deadlines set by the judge. All counsel are to be punctual for all conferences, hearings and trials. They are to be civil to one another as well as to all parties, witnesses, and court personnel – whether in front of a jury or the court.

Documents

Transcript Order Form
Exhibit Instructions
Department 08 Zoom Information (Effective February 12th 2024)

Current Assignment

• Department 8 is currently assigned Criminal, Civil and Probate Dockets.

Telephonic Appearance Request / Zoom Information

• Department 8 adheres to all the new Rules for Virtual Advocacy. Within those rules, be advised that Department 8 finds Good Cause to require in-person appearances for all hearings which are potentially dispositive of the case or any portion thereof. This specifically includes motions to dismiss and motions for summary judgment. These hearings are considered PRESUMPTIVELY IN-PERSON in Department 8. Good cause is specifically found in the fact that the results of these types of motions are severe in nature and can be dispositive of an entire case or portions thereof. Due to the weighty consequences of these motions, it is imperative that the court have clear uninterrupted communication with counsel.
• Additionally, Department 8 requires in person attendance for civil Calendar Calls as during these hearings the Court goes over trial details dealing with voir dire, exhibits, technical requirements, and scheduling, as well as any other matter pertinent to trial.
• The Court wants to ensure that those who choose to appear remotely know that it is on them to ensure that they have an adequate connection and the Court reserves the right to continue any hearing in person should there be technical issues.

Calendar Schedule

• Monday
  • 9:30 am – Criminal Law & Motion, Sentencings and Revocation
• Tuesday
  • 10:00 am – Jury / Bench Trials; Special Settings / Settlement Conferences
• Wednesday
  • 9:30 am – Criminal Law & Motion, Sentencings and Revocations
• Thursday
  • 9:30 am – Status Checks
  • 9:30 am – Rule 16’s (specific days only)
  • 10:00 am – Civil Law and Motion
  • 2:00 pm – Probate Law and Motion
• Friday
  • 10:00 am – Jury / Bench Trials; Special Settings / Settlement Conferences

Court Recording Services

• Department 8 uses a Court Recorder for its official record. Questions regarding the court recording services are to be directed to Judicial Recorder Shannon Emmons at EmmonsS@clarkcountycourts.us or (702) 671-4334.

Submission of Orders

• Department 8 requires proposed orders to be submitted to chambers within fourteen (14) days of notification of the ruling, pursuant to EDCR 7.21. Counsel designated to prepare the order is required to provide a draft to opposing counsel, allowing for a reasonable opportunity for review and comment. All orders must be signed as to form and content. If counsel are unable to reach an agreement and competing orders will be submitted, please email a letter advising there will be competing orders to lordr@clarkcountycourts.us and dept08lc@clarkcountycourts.us.
• All orders must be submitted electronically to DC8Inbox@clarkcountycourts.us in both Word and PDF format. Pursuant to the current administrative orders, there is to be no argument or communication in the email (the department inbox is unmonitored).
• All orders and stipulations utilizing electronic signatures must have authorization to use e-signature included.

Contested Orders

• In Department 8, when counsel are unable to agree on the language of an Order, they are to present their competing proposed orders in a Word document emailed to lordr@clarkcountycourts.us and dept08lc@clarkcountycourts.us. If a redline copy is available, counsel may also submit that document.
• Generally, the Court will enter an Order after reviewing the competing versions and any record of the hearing. After considering the proposed orders, the Court may set a conference call to obtain additional information or argument from counsel.

Default judgment prove-ups

• A Default Judgment for a total award of less than $50,000 may be submitted to chambers.
• All Default Judgments for a total award of $50,000 or more must be set on the Department’s regular motion calendar. Live testimony is required at Default Judgment prove-up hearings.

Jury Selection

• Department 8 uses a modified “Arizona Method” of jury selection. The court allows counsel to voir dire the prospective jurors individually and/or as a panel.

Voluntary Dismissals

• Due to the order processing application the Court is now using, Judge Peterson would like the following language and signature line included in all voluntary dismissals:

• Based on the foregoing Notice, Case No. A-23-123456-C is hereby dismissed WITH/without prejudice and the case is CLOSED.

Motions in Limine

• Parties MUST file Omnibus Motions in Limine, Oppositions, and Replies.
• Each party is limited to eight (8) MILs; however, counsel may submit a motion showing good cause to allow more than eight motions in limine.

Continuances

• Continuances may be obtained by emailing lordr@clarkcountycourts.us and dept08lc@clarkcountycourts.us. All counsel must be copied on the email and indicate their agreement to the continuance. If at all possible, please provide the requested continuance date. You will receive a confirmation email indicating the matter has been moved and the email will be left side filed. A Notice of Change of Hearing will not issue.
• We are unable to process continuance requests received after 10:00 am the day before a hearing.

Petitions to Seal

• All petitions to seal will be set for hearing. Petitioner is to submit an Affidavit or Declaration of Rehabilitation prior to the hearing date.

Exhibits / Briefs

• If you are submitting exhibits to a motion or settlement conference brief that is too large to email, please submit via runner on disc or thumb drive. We are unable to open external links (Dropbox, etc.) or anything that requires registration. Trial counsel must submit three copies of final exhibits.

Supporting Documentation

• All supporting documentation is due four (4) days prior to the hearing.  Courtesy copies may be emailed to Dept08LC@clarkcountycourts.us and lordr@clarkcountycourts.us

Pro Bono Cases

• Attorneys appearing pro bono may advise the Court Clerk / Recorder upon check in that they are appearing pro bono to have their case called first.

Minor’s Compromises

• Pursuant to the 2021 Amendment to NRS 41.220, blocked accounts are no longer required for amounts under $2,500.00.
• All orders should include language that upon reaching the age of 18 years that a copy of this order and driver’s license in the name of the minor may be presented to the bank for release to the minor.
• The Court will not require a yearly accounting, just a bank statement showing the account is still in existence and the amount in the account.

https://www.leg.state.nv.us/Division/Legal/LawLibrary/CourtRules/NRCP.html