Nevada - State panel hires 2 experts to guide child welfare reforms

Another "Blue Ribbon Panel" has been put together to figure out what is wrong with the Family Court system. There is a very strong chance that there are no consumers on this panel to help with coming up with a possible solution. The solution that this panel will come up with will only make things worse for those within the system.

Las Vegas Review Journal

The state blue ribbon committee created to spearhead improvements to Clark County child welfare and the court system has added two additional experts to guide its work before the 2015 Legislature begins.

The state has found money to bring on board national expert Sophia Gatowski to help shape the committee’s recommendations. Consultant Stephen Rubin, a retired Arizona judge, also has been invited to work with the committee.

“This is a step, I believe, in the right direction,” Nevada Supreme Court Justice Nancy Saitta said Tuesday during the committee’s second meeting in Las Vegas.

The committee, appointed by Saitta, outlined some of its preliminary objectives, which include having one family work with the same judge to provide consistency as the case is resolved. The panel also wants more professional development for Family Services workers in following policy and procedure and suggested a public campaign informing the community about what foster care is and seeking foster parent volunteers.

The committee will meet a third time at 1 p.m. on Jan. 15, before the Legislature convenes Feb. 4.

Rubin said Gatowski will produce a report for the committee, which she will start writing after the January meeting. The retired judge will assist her in writing the report, which could go to the Legislature and might be made public.

Full story: Las Vegas Review Journal

Nevada - Ex-judge Jones formally disbarred

Has anyone ever seen a Family Court Judge get removed from the bench?

Las Vegas Review Journal

The Nevada Supreme Court has officially disbarred former Family Court Judge Steven Jones.

All seven justices signed the order Dec. 5.

In September, Jones informed the State Bar of Nevada that he was giving up his law license after he pleaded guilty to one felony count of conspiracy to commit wire fraud in a $2.6 million investment scheme.

As part of his plea agreement with the government, Jones also resigned from the Family Court bench. He did not seek reelection this year.

Full story: Las Vegas Review Journal


Related stories:
2014-05-02 LVRJ - Embattled Family Court Judge Steven Jones headed back to public payroll
2014-12-09 NBC3 - Former Family Court judge disbarred, awaits fraud sentence