DEREK C DREILING

NAME: Derek Dreiling

AGE: 58

PARTY AFFILIATION: NP (all judicial offices and elections are nonpartisan)

DAY JOB:  

Senior Justice of the Peace and Family Division District Court Commissioner 

EDUCATION: 

University of Nevada, Reno (1991 Bachelor of Arts (International Affairs, minor in Economics))
Northwestern School of Law, Lewis and Clark College, J.D., 1996 

HOW LONG YOU HAVE LIVED IN NEVADA: 

52 years 

WRITE A BRIEF (TWO TO THREE SENTENCES) SUMMARY OF YOUR PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE THAT WOULD ENABLE YOU TO PERFORM THE DUTIES OF THIS OFFICE: 

I served as a Deputy District Attorney for 22 years, conducting murder trials and supervising a team of felony prosecutors. In 2018, I was elected as a Justice of the Peace in Reno Justice Court, and I currently serve as a Senior Justice of the Peace appointed by the Nevada Supreme Court, as well as a Family Court Commissioner in the Second Judicial District Court. Over the last thirty years, I have either prosecuted or presided over matters ranging from traffic offenses to murder, small claims through civil trials, and protective orders through custody disputes. 

WHAT IS YOUR TOP PRIORITY IF ELECTED? 

My top priority is a courtroom where the law is applied the same way to everyone, regardless of who they are or who represents them. I do that by preparing thoroughly for every case, listening fully before deciding, and explaining each ruling clearly so the parties and the public can see how the decision was reached.

BRIEFLY DESCRIBE YOUR JUDICIAL PHILOSOPHY: WHAT MAKES AN EFFECTIVE JUDGE? 

My judicial philosophy is grounded in restraint: applying the law as written, deciding only the issues and facts presented, and respecting both the guidance of appellate courts and the policymaking role of the legislature. An effective judge is prepared, patient, and decisive, and explains rulings so every litigant understands why the court ruled as it did, win or lose. 

IN ONE SENTENCE: WHAT’S THE MOST IMPORTANT THING VOTERS SHOULD KNOW ABOUT YOU? 

For thirty years — first as a prosecutor and then as a judge — I have built a reputation for patient listening and fair, measured use of the authority entrusted to me. 

YES OR NO: WILL YOU ACCEPT THE RESULTS OF THIS ELECTION, WHETHER YOU WIN OR LOSE?  

Yes