Department S

Vincent Ochoa

Office – (702) 455-2718

Fax – (702) 366-1419

Law Clerk – (702) 455-1706

Email – deptslc@clarkcountycourts.us

Location – FAMILY Courtroom 21

Family Court House
601 North Pecos RD, Las Vegas, NV. 89155

Judge Ochoa has a breadth of legal experience spanning 40 years. After completing his education at Michigan State University and University of Notre Dame School of Law, he began his legal career in 1978 handling family, civil, and criminal cases as a law clerk for a district judge. He went into private practice the following year handling civil and family law cases. He argued his first family law case in the Nevada Supreme Court in 1981. In 1982, Judge Ochoa had the privilege of representing the citizens of Nevada as a Nevada Deputy Attorney General.

For 31 years, Judge Ochoa managed his own practice in both Las Vegas and Reno representing families in cases including divorce, child custody, child support, and adoption. He represented minors in Juvenile Courts for more than 25 years and parents in Family Court in abuse and neglect cases for more than 20 years, including appeals at the Nevada Supreme Court level.

Judge Ochoa’s experience is not limited to family law; he has argued criminal cases of domestic violence and substance abuse/DUI, and a range of cases at all levels from Municipal Court, Nevada Supreme Court, Federal Court, and appeals to the Sixth Circuit Court of Appeals and the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals.

Judge Ochoa has the respect of the legal community; he was voted by his peers to serve as a member of the Board of Governors for the State Bar of Nevada from 2009 until taking the bench. This Board oversees the practice and policy of law in our state.

Previously, Judge Ochoa has served on the Board of Directors for Southern Nevada Legal Services and was appointed as an Alternate Municipal Court Judge for the City of North Las Vegas. He served as Alternate Hearing Master in Clark County Juvenile Court, Arbitrator for the Clark County District Court, and Alternate Domestic Violence Commissioner.

  • Appointed in 2017 to the Nevada Permanent State Commission on Guardianship
  • Elected to the Nevada Bar Board of Governors in 2009
  • Court Appointed Arbitrator for Clark County District Court for 16 years
  • Elected to the District Court, Family Court Judge, Department S, in November of 2010 and reelected in 2014
  • Appointed in 2017 to the Nevada Permanent State Commission on Guardianship
  • BA from Michigan State University 1975
  • University of Notre Dame School of Law JD 1978
  • Law Clerk for District Judge 1978-79
  • Alternate Municipal Court Judge for the City of North Las Vegas
  • Nevada Deputy Attorney General 1982
  • Appointed to the Nevada State Welfare Board 1983-84
  • Public Attorney for Las Vegas Municipal Court, to Department 5, appearing before Honorable Judge Kerns 2007 – 2009

Courtroom Protocol

No weapons are allowed. There is no eating, drinking, smoking or chewing gum in any courtroom.

Proper courtroom attire is required. No shorts or tank tops are allowed in the courtroom, shoes are required. T-shirts, which show offensive slogans or pictures, are not allowed. Hats should be removed before entering the courtroom.

While in the courtroom, sit quietly when court is in session. Do not talk or whisper. The court proceedings are being recorded by a court recorder and noise can interfere with the preparation of this important record.

All beepers, cellular telephones, and electronic devices must be turned off before entering the courtroom. Avoid reading newspapers, or books in the courtrooms, particularly if your use of such material may be a distraction to others.

Attorneys are expected to maintain the highest ethical standards at all times, and to strictly adhere to the opportunities, requirements, limitations, and deadlines set by the judge. All counsel are to be punctual for all conferences, hearings and trials. They are to be civil to one another as well as to all parties, witnesses, and court personnel – whether in front of a jury or the court.

Documents

Department S Zoom Information (Effective February 12th 2024)

Chamber Calendar

  • Adoptions in chambers – No

Telephonic Appearances

  • Pursuant to EDCR and prior notice to the court, appearances may be made telephonically for calendar matters.
    Call chambers to confirm the arrangements to be made with each separate department.

Unopposed Motions

  • Department grants unopposed motions in advance of the hearing date: Sometimes
    Department permits Zoom Orders: Sometimes
    Unopposed motions to withdraw can be zoomed; unopposed motions to reduce or increase child support will be granted. Unopposed motions for withdrawal, unopposed motions to continue, and matters on default.

Joint Preliminary Injunctions

  • Department requires a JPI to be a Court Order to be enforceable: No
    EDCR requires the Clerk to automatically issue a JPI in divorce matters. If we required JPI´s only from chambers to be enforced, it would defeat the purpose of the rule.

Prove-up Hearings

  • Does your department require a prove-up hearing for:
    • Name changes for adults? No
    • Name changes for juveniles? Yes
    • Final custody orders? Yes
    • Summary Divorce? No

Submission of Orders

  • Does your department require prevailing counsel to submit a draft order to opposing counsel to review and return an Order? Yes
  • Does your department impose a period of time for opposing counsel to review and return an Order? Yes
  • Reasonable period of time for opposing counsel to review and return an Order? Typically 30 days unless there are special circumstances.
  • The desired method for resolving disputes regarding proposed orders? Request a telephonic conference with the court which will be on the record.

Contested Orders

  • In District Court Department S, if contested orders are submitted they will be reviewed regarding the disagreement and then the Court will issue an order.

Electronic Signature

  • District Court Department S will accept electronic signatures on stipulations and orders to continue hearings and settled matters except decrees. All other documents should be originals.

Telephonic Conferences

  • Is your department available for telephonic conferences with counsel? Yes
  • What are some of the circumstances in which your department will engage in a telephonic conference?
  • Emergencies regarding the children (medical, educational)
  • Attorney emergencies (health, conflicting trials, etc.)

Stacking Trails

  • Does department stack trials? Yes