Why I’m Running

The Las Vegas Justice Court is the first court most Las Vegas residents will ever step into as a victim, a witness, or as a person with a ticket or a charge. The Las Vegas Justice Court handles most of the day-to-day court cases and proceedings for Las Vegas Township — these include issuing search warrants and arrest warrants, holding arraignments and trials for misdemeanor cases, and handling felony and gross misdemeanor cases. Justice Court is the workhorse of the judicial system.

I like to think of the Las Vegas Justice Court as the people’s court — where Las Vegas residents receive fair, firm and just treatment under the law and where the safety of our community is our foremost concern.

I know how confusing and sometimes overwhelming it can be for Las Vegas residents to appear before the Las Vegas Justice Court. I’ve personally seen it from several perspectives. As a Judge Pro Tem, I’ve judged or processed thousands of cases in court. As the former Executive Director for the Nevada Law Foundation I worked hard to help provide victims with the tools necessary to navigate our courtrooms to secure justice.

I’m running to be your Las Vegas Justice Court Judge to make sure every resident of Las Vegas Township has the opportunity to have their day in court, have their voice and concerns heard and to receive fair, firm treatment under the law.

As a wife and mother, I am committed to cracking down on crime and making our neighborhoods safe. I know our community - I have volunteered for the Red Cross and Jerry Lewis telethons, I teach children dance and theatre, and have served as a Court Appointed Special Advocate for children in need of protection by the courts.

I’m running to be your Las Vegas Justice Court Judge because I understand the challenges our community faces. I have a vested interest in making sure our families can learn, play and grow in safe Las Vegas neighborhoods.

Our next Las Vegas Justice Court Judge should be more than just an attorney with a law degree. My legal experience is broadly based and not limited to a narrow focus. Before serving as Judge Pro Temⁱ, I practiced a wide range of law and served as the executive director of the Nevada Law Foundation.

I’ve presided over the Las Vegas Justice Court, North Las Vegas Justice Court and Las Vegas Municipal Court as a Judge Pro Tem. I’ve gained experience and learned the procedures. I already have the on-the-job experience

I’ve learned a great deal about managing and running an efficient court room. More importantly, I’ve been able to serve the public each day I serve on the bench – and that has been the most personally and professionally rewarding experience of my life.

I’m running to be your Las Vegas Justice Court Judge to serve you. I believe my strong ties to our community, my understanding of the law and the courts, and my experience on the bench gives me the tools, resources and knowledge to serve you.

Thanks for taking the time to find out Why Im Running! Now that you’ve learned more about me and why I’m running, I hope you will support me and get involved in my campaign!

Visit the top of the page to sign up for email updates. Volunteer for the campaign here and donate to the campaign here! Every email sign-up, door knocked, phone call made and donation (large, medium or small) goes a long way towards helping us win this election!

Thank you!

Suzan Baucum
Candidate for Las Vegas Justice Court, Department 13

P.S.If you have a specific question about the roles and responsibility of a Las Vegas Justice Court Judge or Why I’m Running, I hope you’ll visit my Contact Me

ⁱ In law, judge pro tem refers to a judge who is sitting temporarily for another judge or to an attorney who has been appointed to serve as a judge as a substitute for a regular judge.