Department N

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.

Department N Zoom Information (Effective January 29th 2024)

Remote Appearances

• Parties may appear remotely via the audio-visual program Zoom.
• This Court does not allow remote appearances for evidentiary hearings or trials unless specifically granted.

Submission of Orders

• Parties are to email proposed Orders to DeptNInbox@ClarkCountyCourts.us for the Court’s review and processing.
• Department N generally requires prevailing counsel to submit a drafted Order to opposing counsel for review.
  • Department N typically allots opposing counsel five (5) days to review, respond, and return the Order.
• Parties may submit competing Orders to Department N if they are unable to resolve any disputes.

Contested Orders

• Department N will review and approve the Order which most accurately reflects the proceedings.
• Department N will not schedule a telephonic conference for the parties to litigate the proposed competing Orders.

Mandatory Mediation

• Department N enforces EDCR 5.306 which requires parties in a contested custody action to attempt mediation at the Family Mediation Center (FMC).
• Parties may submit an Ex Parte Request for Family Mediation Center Services containing information for both parties directly to chambers for an expedited mediation date.

Telephonic Appearances

• Parties may only appear telephonically pursuant to Eighth Judicial District Court Rules (EDCR) and Supreme Court Rules (SCR).
• Parties should call or email Department N’s Judicial Executive Assistant to confirm the arrangements.

Unopposed Motions

• Department N occasionally grants unopposed Motions in advance of the hearing date pursuant to EDCR 5.702(b).
• Orders for unopposed Motions to Withdraw and Motions to Continue can be sent or emailed directly to DeptNInbox@ClarkCountyCourts.us.
• Orders for unopposed Motions to Modify Child Support may be granted prior to the hearing. Decrees may be sent directly to Department N once a Default has been filed into the case.

Joint Preliminary Injunctions (JPI)

• Department N does not require a JPI to enforce a Court order.
• EDCR requires the Clerk of the Court to automatically issue a JPI in divorce matters.

Prove-up Hearings

• Department N does not require a hearing to change an adult’s name unless there was a felony conviction.
• Department N does not generally require a hearing to change a juvenile’s name.
• Department N occasionally requires a prove-up hearing for a final custody Order. The Department does not generally require a prove-up hearing wherein a Default was entered into the case and the other party was personally served by a licensed process server or the Sheriff’s office.
• Department N does not require a prove-up hearing to grant a divorce wherein there are not any minor children within the case and a Default has been entered into the case. The parties may submit the Decree directly to the Department.

Stacking Trials

• Department N does not stack trial dates.

Contact Information

• Department N requires parties to ensure their contact information is current. They must electronically file a Notice of Change of Address into their case whenever they change their phone number, email address, or mailing address.