Suspended Halverson files for re-election

Embattled District Judge Elizabeth Halverson filed Thursday to seek re-election despite being in her sixth month of suspension from the bench.

Her run for the Department 23 bench probably will be contentious because the Judicial Discipline Commission on Jan. 7, the opening day of the filing period for the upcoming election, filed a 14-count complaint against her. The allegations include creating a hostile work environment for employees, improperly contacting jurors and hindering the functions of Chief District Judge Kathy Hardcastle.

As far back as last spring, accusations surfaced that she could not conduct criminal trials adequately. The allegations against her range from falling asleep on the bench and having a bailiff rub her feet to breaching courthouse security and trying to hack into the courthouse computer system.

Halverson has contested the commission's accusations that she is not skilled enough to preside over criminal cases and has blamed disgruntled employees for the allegations of creating a hostile work environment. Hardcastle, she has said, has a vendetta against her.

Las Vegas Family Court Judge Stefany Miley has filed to replace Halverson and said that during campaign she will discuss the accusations against Halverson "in an informative manner."

"The track record of a judge is important to know," Miley said Thursday. "Frankly, Elizabeth Halverson's activities on the bench are pretty well-known to the people of Las Vegas."

Attorney Troy Peyton had filed for the Department 23 bench Jan. 9, but he said Thursday that he will withdraw from the race.

"I'm just too far behind the curve," he said, adding that this would have been his first election.

He said Halverson's bid, filed on the eve of the final day to get on the ballot, did not influence his decision.

Halverson could not be reached for comment Thursday. She had said that she planned to seek re-election.

"It is hurtful not to be able to go to work every day," she told the Review-Journal in September.

In the interview, she admitted that she made some errors but hoped she would be given more time on the bench.

"Give me a chance to try to get a little smarter," she said.

The Nevada Judicial Discipline Commission on July 25 suspended Halverson because she "posed a substantial threat of serious harm to the public" and posed a threat to the administration of justice, the order said. The Nevada Supreme Court upheld the interim suspension.

Halverson was allowed to continue collecting her $130,000 annual pay pending a disciplinary proceeding.

Halverson was elected to a two-year term in 2006, defeating Family Court lawyer Bill Henderson.

Contact reporter David Kihara at dkihara@reviewjournal.com or (702) 380-1039.