Department XII

Michelle Leavitt

Office – (702) 671-4372

Fax – (702) 671-4371

Law Clerk – (702) 671-4369

Email – dept12lc@clarkcountycourts.us

Location – RJC Courtroom 14D

Regional Justice Center
200 Lewis Ave., Las Vegas, NV 89155

Michelle Leavitt

Department XII

Eighth Judicial District Court

Term of Office 2002 – present

Judge Michelle Leavitt was born in 1965 in Las Vegas, Nevada. She graduated from Las Vegas High School in 1983 and the University of Nevada, Las Vegas in 1987. Judge Leavitt graduated from California Western School of Law cum laude in 1994. She was a member of the Law Review International Law Journal. Upon graduation from law school, she began work with the law firm of Alverson, Taylor, Mortensen, Nelson & Sanders, where she gained considerable experience in medical malpractice and other forms of civil litigation.

In July 1998, Judge Leavitt became a sole practitioner, specializing in a broad range of criminal defense and civil litigation matters. In January, 1999, she was appointed by a unanimous vote of the City Council to fill a vacancy on the Municipal Court. Judge Leavitt was re-elected twice to her seat in 1999 and 2001.

In March, 2002, Judge Leavitt submitted an application for an open District Court seat. The seat was a gubernatorial appointment and in May, 2002, Governor Kenny Guinn appointed Judge Leavitt as a District Judge in Department 12 of the Eighth Judicial District Court. Judge Leavitt was sworn into office on May 10, 2002.

Judge Leavitt, a mother of three children , is a member of the State Bar of Nevada, Clark County Bar Association and the Nevada Judges Association. Judge Leavitt also serves as member on the Criminal Task Force of the Judicial Assessment Commission; the Education Commission of the Nevada Judges Association, and the Supreme Court’s Mandatory Sentencing Review Commission.

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

DC12 Exhibit Guidelines.doc
Department 12 Zoom Information (Effective February 12th 2024)

Current Assignment

  • Department 12 is currently assigned Homicide and Criminal Court Dockets

Calendar Schedule

  • This Department hears Criminal Court Calendars on Tuesdays at 8:30 a.m. and Thursdays at 8:30 a.m.
  • Homicide Calendars are heard the first and third Wednesday of the month at 8:30.
  • Lower Court appeals are heard the second and fourth Wednesday at 9:00 a.m.

Regular Chambers Calendar

  • Department 12 does not have a regular Chambers Calendar. All matters are required to be set on the Department’s regular motion calendar.

Discovery Commissioner Assigned

  • Commissioner Erin Lee Truman
  • Commissioner Jay Young

Court Reporter or Court Recorder for Official Record

  • Department 12 uses a Court Recorder

Requests for Appearances via Zoom

  • Department 12 requires in-person appearances in courtroom 14D. However, if you need to appear via Zoom, please contact the Department for the information. Do not appear via Zoom without notifying the Department beforehand.

Requests for Telephonic Appearances

  • Telephonic appearances must be made via Court Call. Counsel must arrange appearance via Court Call prior to their scheduled appearance.

Unopposed Motions

  • Department 12 will grant unopposed motion in advance of hearing, if time permits. Otherwise, counsel is required to appear at the hearing.

Submissions of Orders

  • Department 12 requires proposed orders to be submitted to chambers to dc12inbox@clarkcountycourts.us within ten (10) days of notification of the ruling, pursuant to EDCR 7.21. Counsel designated to prepare the order is requested to provide a draft to opposing counsel(s), allowing for a reasonable opportunity for review and comment. Non-drafting counsel may be required to sign the order prior to submission. Disputes may be resolved by submitting competing orders to chambers. Should neither order properly reflect the Court’s ruling, the Department will issue its own order. All orders must be submitted to the Department 12 Inbox.

Submission of Motions

  • Department 12 does not accept motions via email or hardcopy. All motions must be e-filed in order to be set on calendar.

Jury Selection

  • Department 12 uses the “Modified Arizona Method” of jury selection, requiring voir dire to be directed toward the minimum number of jurors necessary to be qualified, rather than the entire venire.