Department W

Location of Hearings

• Department W hearings are held via BlueJeans video conferencing and in-person at the Regional Justice Center, 200 Lewis Avenue, Las Vegas, Nevada 89101, Courtroom 3A . No Request for Audio/Visual Appearance is required.
• No weapons are allowed at the courthouse. There is no eating, drinking, smoking or chewing gum during hearings, whether by video conference or in-person.

Courtroom Decorum

• While on a video conference or 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 cellular telephones and electronic devices must be turned off before entering the video conference or the courtroom.
• When entering the video conference, please identify yourself. You will be placed in a waiting room until your matter is called. Please mute your audio.

Courtroom Attire

• Proper courtroom attire is required for video conference and in-person hearings.
• No shorts or tank tops are allowed in the courtroom, and shoes are required. T-shirts, which show offensive slogans or pictures, are not allowed. Hats should be removed before appearing by video conference or entering the courtroom.

Attorneys

• 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 and to notify the department of any scheduling conflicts prior to the scheduled hearing. Attorneys are to be civil to one another as well as to all parties, witnesses, and court personnel.

Documents

Department W Zoom Information (Effective January 29th 2024)

Current Assignment

• Department W is currently assigned to civil domestic cases and minor guardianship cases.

Adoptions

• Adoptions are currently held in the Courtroom

Mandatory Mediation

• Department W 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 and Video Appearances

• All Trial and Evidentiary proceedings will be in person.
• Litigants must appear in-person when an Order to Show Cause for contempt has been served on them, unless for good cause the court makes an exception.
• Litigants should appear in person if possible.  Virtual appearances are conducted via Zoom.  For Minor Guardianship hearings (Cases beginning with G) a zoom link will be sent to you by the department, unless otherwise specified.

Unopposed Motions

• Department W may grant unopposed motions in advance of the hearing date pursuant to EDCR 5.502, EDCR 5.503 and EDCR 5.702.
• Department W sometimes permits Zoom Orders. Unopposed motions to withdraw can be zoomed.

Joint Preliminary Injunctions

• Department W considers a JPI to be an enforceable Court Order.

Prove-up Hearings

• Does Department W require a prove-up hearing for:
  • 1. Name changes for minor children? No
  • 2. Name changes for adults? No unless there is a felony conviction
  • 3. Final custody orders? Sometimes at request of Court
  • 4. Summary Divorce? No.
  • 5. Default orders? Sometimes at request of Court

Submission of Orders

• Department W requires prevailing counsel to submit a draft order to opposing counsel to review and return an Order.
• Department W does not impose a period of time for opposing counsel to review and return an Order but a reasonable time for opposing counsel to review and return an order is 7 days.
• Proposed orders must be submitted to Department W pursuant to EDCR 5.706.

Contested Orders / Competing Orders

• When counsel cannot agree on the language of an Order, Department W requires compliance with EDCR 5.706. Drafting counsel may directly submit the proposed order to the Court, accompanied by an explanation of the attempts made to obtain countersignature, with a copy to opposing counsel, and opposing counsel may submit an alternate order, accompanied by an explanation of the disagreement and distinction between the two proposed order, with a copy to opposing counsel. The proposed order(s) will be reviewed by the Law Clerk with the videotape record. Court will draft the Order or may set for hearing if can´t resolve with letter or if too many areas of dispute.

Electronic Signatures

• Department W accepts electronic signatures.

Telephonic Conferences

• Department W is available for telephonic conferences with counsel if there are emergencies regarding the children (medical, educational), minor discovery issue or Attorney emergencies (health, conflicting trials, etc.)
• Telephonic Conferences will be authorized only if setting an OST (with 1 judicial day notice) is insufficient to address the emergency.
• Telephonic Conferences will always be done on the record.

Stacking Trials

• Trials in Department W are set on a stack.  You will be given a firm trial date at your Calendar Call.