2012 Voter Guide: Moapa Valley Justice of the Peace

A private attorney is trying to unseat Moapa Valley Justice of the Peace Lanny Waite, who has held the position for 25 years.

"I've always favored term limits," challenger Tony Terry said.

Waite received his law degree in 1982 from the University of Puget Sound in Washington state. He was admitted to the Nevada bar the same year.

He worked in private practice in Las Vegas for most of his career. He was a prosecutor in the Clark County district attorney's office in 1983.

His private practice focused on cases involving transportation, personal injury and medical malpractice issues. He retired from private practice in 2008.

Waite was elected justice of the peace in 1986 and took office the following year. Although Moapa Valley Justice Court is open four days a week, Waite typically sits on the bench just one day a week.

The court handles cases from both Logandale and Overton.

Waite said he has received about 700 hours of judicial training outside the courtroom.

Terry said he would sit on the bench two days a week if elected.

Waite said he would do so if necessary, but the court's caseload doesn't warrant it.

Terry received his law degree in 1968 from the University of Utah and was admitted to the Nevada bar the same year. He has practiced law in Las Vegas and Moapa Valley for the past 44 years.

Both Terry and Waite are longtime Logandale residents.

In the primary, the two men emerged from a pool of three candidates. Waite had 59 percent of the vote, and Terry had 28 percent.

"Currently, I think the majority of people in Moapa Valley are comfortable with the fact that things are going well in the court," Waite said.

Terry said he has more experience, particularly in criminal law, than Waite.

Terry held the part-time position of Mesquite city attorney from 1985 to 1998. He also has done criminal defense work.

In his private practice, he primarily handles domestic cases.

Terry said he has run for office only once before. He made a failed bid for a spot on the Las Vegas City Council in the mid-1970s.

Contact reporter Carri Geer Thevenot at cgeer@reviewjournal.com or 702-384-8710.