Dear Voters:

I am a candidate for judge in Reno Municipal Court, Department 3. It’s a non-partisan election for registered voters in Reno. The Primary Election is June 8th and the General Election will be on November 2nd.

The incumbent was appointed to the position in 1996 and has never faced an election opponent. It’s time the public has a voice.  It’s time the voter has a choice.  I am running as an experienced and qualified candidate, to offer a new perspective to the Court.

Municipal Court is “everyone’s court” because most people first experience the law there through traffic tickets, business or neighborhood problems, and misdemeanors. Whether they win or lose their cases, everyone should receive courtesy, respect and fair treatment from Municipal Court.  Everyone should receive justice that is rational, proportional to the wrong done, and imposed for the right reasons.

Being a lawyer for 32 years and having worked as a Special Prosecutor for Nevada’s Judicial Discipline Commission, I know what it takes to be a balanced and fair judge. Having spent half my career as a prosecutor, I know the victim’s and police officer’s perspective in criminal matters. I suffered domestic violence in my first marriage, so I’ve felt the pain of being a victim, and I know the impact on families.

Having headed the Correctional Programs Division in Nevada’s prison system, I know defendants and what it takes to motivate them for rehabilitation and treatment. I know the effect on their families and have the perspective to sentence fairly and effectively.

My administrative experience will benefit Court operations. As Washoe County District Attorney from 1991 to 1994, I managed 150 employees and a $10 million budget.  We experienced the economic disaster of “Fair Share” with Washoe County having to repay millions of dollars to Clark County.  We weathered that storm with no lay-offs. Instead, we created innovative systems, streamlined operations, made the office more efficient.  In Corrections, I managed 90 staff and a $7 million budget. We funded inmate programs with $6 million in grants, many of which I wrote. I’ve run my own law office and met a payroll. In this economy, it’s critical that government runs at peak efficiency, using all available resources.

I have lived in Reno all but 5 years of my life. While I currently practice civil law here, I’m a public servant at heart.  That is how I best serve our community, and the law. To do that, I need your vote, and I’m requesting your help. You can make a financial donation to the campaign or volunteer to walk Reno’s neighborhoods with me. I plan to meet as many residents as I can and show you why I should be elected as your next Municipal Court Judge.

Please call me at the office (348-9999) or e-mail me through the campaign anytime. I welcome your input.

Yours truly,

Dorothy Nash Holmes