Comm. on Judicial Ethics issues decision
The Standing Committee on Judicial Ethics and Election Practices has issued a decision in a matter concerning Family Court candidate Brigid Duffy. The complaint was filed by her opponent, Maria Maskall. In Decision 08-1, the Committee considers whether a candidate is eligible for district court office under NRS 3.060(1)(c), which requires that the candidate be an attorney licensed and admitted to practice law for a total of not less than 10 years at any time preceding his election or appointment, if the candidate has practiced for 10 years at the date she takes office, as opposed to the date of the election. Duffy was admitted to practice on December 17, 1998, so her 10 years of practice date falls between the election date in November and the date she would take office, if elected, which is in January.
The Committee concludes that it does not have the authority to determine the ultimate question of whether Duffy is qualified for office and can only address the question of whether she engaged in an unfair election practice or made a knowing representation of her qualifications. The Committee concludes that Duffy did not knowingly misrepresent her qualifications.