COLUMN: John L. Smith

For Family Court judge, issuing jail time has become a family affair

Never let it be said Family Court Judge Steven Jones isn't tough on crime.

In 1996, Jones called the police during a domestic dispute that ended up sending his pregnant wife to jail. In early July, it was his juvenile daughter's turn to sample a little jail time.

Informed court sources say Jones ordered his teenage daughter to jail July 2 as a disciplinary lesson. No hearing, just straight to jail.

So much for the "time out" and "spanking" routes.

Sources wonder aloud how the 14-year-old wound up around the adult lockup section.

In a statement released late Thursday, the judge said, "During the lunch hour, bailiffs, who have known my daughter for most of her life, accompanied my daughter to an unoccupied and unneeded holding cell, which was completely secure. She stayed there for about 2 1/2 hours, and then returned to my office. At no time did she come into contact with any adult detainees and at no time was she subjected to any physical force. What I did, in effect, was impose a serious 'time out,' which gave her an opportunity to assess the potential consequences of her behavior."

In 1996, Jones called police after a quarrel with his then-wife, Deborah Jones, turned violent. Five months pregnant, she allegedly hit him with a flower arrangement and shower curtain rod. She was jailed on domestic battery charges.

DA HEAT: The race for district attorney gets more heated by the day as Republican primary opponents Abbi Silver and David Roger trade barbs and scramble for support.

One place Silver won't be looking for assistance is the law office of attorney Michael Stuhff, who remains bitter years after his settlement in a civil action against Metro. Some of that bile is reserved for Silver, whose statements became part of his case against the department.

Stuhff was stopped and rousted by Metro cops in 1987, and in 1995 received a $70,000 settlement from the department.

At the time, Silver was acquainted with one of the arresting officers, and Stuhff accused her of making false claims against him in a memorandum, including an allegation that Stuhff had lied under oath to then-District Judge Earle White, and that the judge had tried to have him disbarred. White provided an affidavit denying any such issues existed, and Stuhff made hay with Silver's ill-advised remarks.

"It was more ignorance and malice than corruption on her part," Stuhff said this week. "Of course, I wouldn't have got the money if it weren't for Abbi Silver. Maybe I should have sent flowers to her."

Save the posies, counselor.

Silver says she barely remembers the case but clearly recalls Stuhff's controversial legal career. She is locked in a battle of rhetoric with Roger and has criticized her fellow chief deputy district attorney for his political association with topless bar mogul Rick Rizzolo of the Crazy Horse Too.

AIRPORT SAFETY: Like many airline passengers these days, advertising executive and legislative lobbyist Robin Joyce won the irritating random search lottery Saturday at Reno-Tahoe Airport. Joyce kept smiling during the search, which turned up no weapons of mass destruction or terrorist handbooks.

Rumor has it that a search of his pockets did reveal three assemblymen and two senators.

CELEBRATING JOE: The departed Sun newspaper entertainment columnist Joe Delaney was one proud Irishman, and his friends at Montesano's on West Sahara Avenue are celebrating his life by offering corned beef and cabbage and green beer at 2:30 p.m. Saturday.

Corned beef and cabbage at an Italian restaurant/deli?

Don't ask. Eat.

ON THE BOULEVARD: Leave it to crazy Frank Cazares to pen the strangest political tunes. His recent efforts include "Lady of the Evening" about the county's topless ordinance travails and "Marijuana Dance Time" about pot politics. ... Former Las Vegas City Councilman Steve Miller, described here last week as "anti-gaming," takes issue with that characterization. He says he's merely a critic of casino companies that attempt to operate outside Nevada. Isn't that most of the companies?

Have an item for the Bard of the Boulevard? E-mail comments and contributions to Smith@reviewjournal.com or call 383-0295.

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