Litigation

High Court Decision Prompts Recusal Review in Nevada

By Mike Petro

The Las Vegas Review Journal reports that Nevada has ordered a commission studying Nevada’s court system to make recommendations on how the state should respond to the U.S. Supreme Court’s decision in Caperton v. Massey.   The commission was asked to set guidelines when a judge should recuse him or herself in cases involving major campaign supporters.

A report was already produced on April 2, 2009, but stated that because the Caperton case was still pending, a report on judicial recusals would be created following Supreme Court’s decision.  The U.S. Supreme Court ruled 5-4 that judges who are elected may in some cases have to recuse themselves if they have received large campaign contributions from litigants.

The report could spark amendments  in Nevada’s Judicial Code.  The court has set a July 20 deadline for the report.

Full post as published by The Gavel on June 26, 2009 (boomark / email).