NORTH LAS VEGAS JUSTICE OF THE PEACE

The primary race for a new North Las Vegas Justice Court seat pits two political newcomers against two lawyers making their second run at the court in two years.

Chris Lee, 33, hopes this year's campaign for the court's Department 3 will end differently than his narrow defeat to incumbent Department 2 Justice of the Peace Natalie Tyrrell in 2006.

Lee, a former county prosecutor who now fights white-collar crime as a deputy secretary of state, said he would make public safety a priority. Defendants in his courtroom would get appropriate bail amounts and face consequences for their actions, he said.

During his career he prosecuted and tried all types of criminal cases, and he has been endorsed by the valley's major law enforcement groups, he said.

Maria Perez Avilez, 35, also ran in the 2006 Justice Court race but lost in the primary.

Avilez's legal career is one dedicated to "helping the underdog," she said. She worked at Clark County Legal Services and continues to take cases for free in her private practice.

She extended her community outreach about a year ago when she created the Legal Lounge, which are monthly meetings at coffee houses where anyone can show up and get free legal advice.

As a judge, Avilez said she would ensure that people in her courtroom understand what's happening. She would explain their rights in plain language and avoid legal jargon, she said.

Jonathan MacArthur, 35, said his legal career is dedicated to being an advocate for those who can't advocate for themselves. He believes he can help more people as a judge handling dozens of cases each day than a lawyer handling a few, and he promised to protect defendants' civil rights and make tough decisions even if they aren't popular with the public.

"You want to make sure the government is not overstepping its authority," he said. "It's much easier for government to abuse the public than the other way around."

MacArthur has served as a substitute judge in Las Vegas Municipal Court and in North Las Vegas Justice Court. He lost his position in North Las Vegas last year after the district attorney's office found hostile comments about prosecutors on his MySpace Web page. The district attorney's office asked the court administrator to have MacArthur removed from criminal cases.

MacArthur said at the time that the district attorney's office took his statements out of context and was working to sabotage his bid for the bench.

Marsha Kimble-Simms, 47, worked as a prosecutor for three years in Los Angeles before entering private practice. She moved to Southern Nevada in 2002 and has served as president of the Foster Care and Adoption Association of Nevada since 2004.

As a judge, she said she would hold people accountable in court while working to create community programs to steer youth and adults away from trouble and keep them out of court in the first place.

"In the courtroom, you can't try to solve society's problems," she said.

Contact reporter Brian Haynes at bhaynes@ reviewjournal.com or 702-383-0281.