Elko Justice of the Peace Simons files for re-election

Four justice of the peace seats are up for election in 2018 including Elko, Carlin, Eastline and Wells.

Filing for judicial candidates opened Jan. 2 and ends Jan. 12. Primary elections are set for June 12.

Simons was elected to the seat in 2012 and served as family court master for six years prior to his election.

“It has been an honor to serve the public as a judicial officer in this community for the past 11 years,” Simons said in a statement. “I view my service as a sacred trust. I have done everything in my power to honor that trust, and I would ask for your continued support as I continue this important work.”

Simons has been named by the Nevada Supreme Court to serve on various commissions and committees.

Currently, he serves on the Nevada Indigent Defense Commission; is an alternate member of the Nevada commission on judicial discipline; the standing committee on judicial ethics; the committee to study evidence-based pretrial release; chairman of the Supreme Court subcommittee to study bail schedules; and is a former member of the select committee for court improvement.

Additionally, Simons serves on the state-federal judicial council; the board of directors of the Nevada Judges of Limited Jurisdiction; and is a former member of the Judicial Council of the State of Nevada and the board of Governors of the State Bar of Nevada.

Simons has a bachelor of arts degree from Utah State University; a juris doctorate degree from the William S. Boyd School of Law at the University of Nevada Las Vegas; and is currently a candidate for a master of judicial studies degree from the National Judicial College at the University of Nevada, Reno.

“During my service on the bench I have dedicated myself to three critically important objectives: First, ensuring that offenders are held accountable for their actions; second, doing everything in my power to protect the safety and security of the community; and third, making sure victims of criminal acts are made whole,” Simons said.

Simons also cited his implementation of an intensive alcohol monitoring program for DUI offenders, as one of his important accomplishments at the court.

“Two years ago I launched a program that requires the use of portable, cellphone enabled, alcohol testing devices by individuals convicted of high BAC or repeat DUI offenses,” Simons said.

“The use of this cutting-edge technology has been a game changer. It has provided much greater accountability for these offenders, it has greatly improved our ability to change the behavior of defendants and has made the streets of Elko safer for our children and families.”

Simons also stated several issues he would like to tackle during his next term in office. “I have long been the proponent of the creation of a Department of Alternative Sentencing to supervise misdemeanor defendants who are subject to suspended sentences out of justice court and which would also be directed to supervise criminal defendants who are out of custody pre-trial,” Simons said.

“This would greatly enhance offender accountability and improve the safety of the community. Once this program is created, I would also like to see a treatment court created at the justice court level to assist individuals struggling with drug and alcohol problems. ”