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Judge Halverson Loses Suit, Must Run for Re-Election

Elizabeth Halverson small Judge Elizabeth Halverson Liz Halverson Above the Law blog.JPGLast week, Judge Elizabeth Halverson’s motorized scooter hit a speed bump, while attempting to ferry Her Honor into four more years of judicial office. From the Las Vegas Review-Journal:

The Supreme Court rejected Thursday embattled District Judge Elizabeth Halverson’s claim that she should not have to face re-election this November, two years after being elected to the bench.

The court voted 7-0 to throw out Halverson’s lawsuit in which she claimed she and District Judges James Bixler, Susan Johnson and William Potter should not have been required to file for re-election this fall because their terms shouldn’t end until 2012.

Judge Halverson’s argument before the Nevada Supreme Court was previously covered here (incl. video clip). Some commenters were impressed by Judge Halverson’s advocacy. Alas, in the end, it wasn’t enough to sway the court:

Halverson, acting as her own lawyer, argued that the law creating these seats was unconstitutional because the state constitution sets district judge terms at six years.

But the Supreme Court, looking back at a decision made in 1871, said the constitution permits shorter terms when the intent is to have all district judges run on the same election cycle.

judge_halverson.jpgBut if you’d like Judge Halverson to relinquish the stage, you’ll have to carry her off yourself. She’s not going without a fight:

In the Thursday decision, the Supeme Court justices took the unusual step to point out in a footnote that Halverson had filed a complaint against them with the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission over the length of her term. Halverson, according to the court, failed to inform the justices of the complaint when she appeared before them June 13 during oral arguments in the case.

The court was served with the EEOC complaint on June 23.

“We nevertheless determine that we have a duty to sit and decide this matter,” stated the court in the decision written by Justice Jim Hardesty.

Yes, that’s right. Judge Halverson has filed an EEOC complaint against the Nevada Supreme Court. Awesomeness.

With just over a month to go until the judicial election, we’re concerned about her fate. It is imperative that she be kept on the bench. Please visit her website, Halverson4Judge.com, and do whatever you can to support her. For specific information about how to make a campaign contribution, click here. Thanks.

Halverson’s election lawsuit rejected [Las Vegas Review-Journal]
Elect Elizabeth Halverson - Volunteer [Halverson4Judge.com]

Earlier: Judge Halverson Gets Her Day in Court

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