Judging the Judges: Henderson jurists win rave reviews

Longtime Henderson Justice of the Peace Rodney Burr is the only judge in Nevada's second largest city who will run for re-election this year .

Unless the godlike but fictional attorney Atticus Finch runs against him, odds are good Burr will win another six-year term.

Ninety-seven percent of the 77 attorneys who rated Burr in the Las Vegas Review-Journal's 2011 Judicial Performance Evaluation said he should be retained.

Ninety-seven percent said he is adequate or more than adequate in every survey category, ranging from his familiarity with the case in front of him to whether he is courteous.

"It's good to get the feedback," said Burr, who has sat on the bench for 21 years. "Constructive criticism is always good and we can always improve."

If Burr has a burr under his saddle regarding the survey, it's that the lawyers who take the time to comment aren't always constructive.

"They feel free to vent because they're anonymous," he said. "And I just wish they'd take it more serious."

Burr also would like the survey to poll more than attorneys. He would like the newspaper to appoint one layperson, one judge and one attorney to a panel that would observe court in session and speak to people involved in the process.

"I think you'd get a more well-rounded perspective of the job we do," he said.

Burr credited his staff for his high scores: "You try your best. You work hard, but I feel this score is a reflection on my staff more than myself. ... We serve the public. That's the bottom line.

"If you get a sour taste in your mouth at the front end, it lasts all the way to the back end."

Burr's colleagues also fared well in the survey:

STEPHEN GEORGE

For reasons not readily explainable, more attorneys took the time to complete the survey regarding Justice of the Peace Stephen George than any other judge in Henderson.

And of the 100 who did, 93 percent believe George, the son of U.S. District Judge Lloyd George, should be retained.

"That's good news," he said of his score. "I'm always on pins and needles when the survey is coming out."

More than 70 percent of the rating attorneys gave him the top score, more than adequate, on every judicial characteristic. And he reached 89 percent on courtesy.

"Unless you are undeserving, Judge George is the most pleasant to deal with in the courtroom," one lawyer wrote.

Most other comments about him were also glowing testimonials.

But George thinks some of his colleagues on Henderson's lower courts deserve more respect than the lawyers gave them.

"Justices of the peace and municipal judges have limited discretion," he said. "The Legislature tells us what we can and cannot do. We have laws we have to follow just like everyone else, so sometimes the comments can be unfair."

George said he is very satisfied in Henderson and has no plans to follow in his legendary father's footsteps.

That could change, however, in the future. What's best for the family is the most important thing, said the father of four, and all decisions are made with that in mind.

"I'm happy where I'm at," he said. "I think we do a good job in Henderson."

DAVID GIBSON

Like George, Henderson Justice of the Peace David Gibson is part of a prominent family.

There's a street in Henderson named Gibson, and a library and a school. None, he points out, were named for him, but for his father, James, and grandfather, Fred.

That pedigree seemed a sore spot for some attorneys who commented on Gibson's performance. The judge is "too closely connected to the Gibson Political Machine," wrote one lawyer.

"My brother was mayor. My father was an influential senator, and some people resent that," Gibson said. "I think when you're a native and your family has done significant public service in the community, there are those who love you and those who resent you. And there are those who simply resent public service and public servants."

Still, despite the rancor of some of those who bothered to comment, Gibson managed to garner an 84 percent approval rating. More than 60 percent rated him more than adequate on every trait evaluated, and his rating for courtesy was 73.

He doesn't understand why 10 percent of the attorneys who rated him said he is religiously biased. Those who said so didn't explain. Still, 64 percent rated him more than adequate on the same issue. Gibson is a Mormon.

Nor does he understand why a few would bring up the fact that he used to be a heavy man. The father of five and grandfather of 15 has lost 200 pounds in recent years.

Gibson said he's more than happy to be scrutinized, but he also wishes all the participating attorneys took the job seriously. And he wants more to participate; no more than 63 rated him on any one of the 12 judicial characteristics evaluated.

Fifteen percent said he is less than adequate in issuing appropriate rulings, and supporting comments accused Gibson of being lenient on criminal defendants or too often siding with their attorneys.

"I'm Constitution oriented," Gibson argued. "I want the system to work and here's why: Until you get charged with a crime, you don't realize how important it is that somebody reads everything in the file. It matters to me that the state meets its burden."

The former Clark County deputy public defender said justices of the peace deal with more than criminal defendants. His caseload has ballooned in recent years with foreclosures, small claims and other civil cases.

"Believe me, I hate putting people out of their homes, but I have to follow the law," he said. "Still, I feel genuine sorrow for the vast majority of people in those situations."

Contact Doug McMurdo at
dmcmurdo@reviewjournal.com or 702-224-5512.