Costs, fines and fees come up in Vegas municipal court race

A battle over fines, court costs and the fees used to pay them could provide the backdrop for Las Vegas’ only Municipal Court race this spring.

Three Las Vegas judges go up for re-election for the nonpartisan offices this summer. Only Department 1’s Cynthia Leung will face an opponent — Democrat and area attorney Yvette Chevalier.

Leung, a Republican, was appointed to the bench in 2008 and elected to the post in 2009.

The former city prosecutor now heads the city’s Women in Need of Change, or WIN court — an alternative sentencing program for women with multiple prostitution and drug arrests.

Leung, 47, said the court has helped nearly two dozen women rebuild their lives and stay off drugs.

The first-term jurist said one of her proudest accomplishments on the bench has been helping to streamline the court’s computer system and push through a court case search and online payment system.

Leung said she has no idea why she’s the only judge facing an opponent this election, though she expects her experience and background both as a prosecutor and defense attorney will help see her through the campaign.

“It’s just one of those things,” Leung said. “You’ll drive yourself crazy if you take (drawing an opponent) personally.”

Leung has won endorsements from the Police Protective Association, the Southern Nevada Central Labor Council and the Las Vegas chapter of Veterans In Politics International.

She raised roughly $3,600 in campaign cash through January.

Chevalier, 52, lost a bid for the Las Vegas mayor’s seat in 2007, but has stuck to her private law practice since then, handling tribal and family law cases out of her offices in Summerlin.

She said it always has been a dream of hers to be a judge.

Chevalier said Leung’s focus on court fines is a big part of the reason she decided to try and make that dream a reality this year.

“Leung’s focus has been fiscal soundness, which is a priority, but not above justice,” Chevalier said. “She’s focusing on keeping the City Council happy, making sure the court is paid for. … That should be left to administration and finance.”

Chevalier said she is running a self-funded campaign and relying on volunteers to help get her name out.

Judges serve six-year terms. Leung was paid $158,666 in base salary in 2013.

Department 4’s Bert Brown and Department 6’s Martin Hastings will run unopposed in June’s general election and will be elected automatically.

The primary election will be April 7, with early voting March 21 through April 3.

Contact James DeHaven at jdehaven@reviewjournal.com or 702-477-3839. Follow @JamesDeHaven on Twitter.