Master Of The House

The Nevada Supreme Court denied a writ of prohibition sought by a hearing master accused of inappropriate conduct on the bench

Henry is a hearing master for the family courts in the Eighth Judicial District Court (EJDC) of Nevada. On October 10, 2016, Henry presided over a hearing in the juvenile court for EJDC, wherein she allegedly acted inappropriately. Four days later, Judge William Voy informed Henry that he had consulted with Presiding Judge Charles Hoskin and Chief Judge David Barker. Judge Voy had listened to the recording of the hearing, and the three determined that Henry’s actions were improper. They administered a one-week suspension without pay. On October 10, 2017, the Commission filed a formal statement of charges for Henry’s conduct. Henry is challenging the Commission’s jurisdiction.

The court held that hearing masters are subject to its disciplinary authority

Henry’s argument is unpersuasive because the authorities cited are inapposite to her proposition that the Commission was not created with the intent to have jurisdiction over hearing masters.

The case is JENNIFER HENRY, Petitioner, vs. NEVADA COMMISSION ON JUDICIAL DISCIPLINE, Respondent. (Mike Frisch)