GARRIT S PRUYT

NAME: Garrit S. Pruyt

AGE: 41

PARTY AFFILIATION: No answer provided.

DAY JOB:  

Carson City District Attorney 

EDUCATION: 

 I grew up in Boulder City, Nevada, attended Boulder City High School, and earned my Bachelor of Science in International Business from the University of Nevada, Las Vegas. After receiving an academic scholarship, I attended Florida Coastal School of Law, where I earned my Juris Doctor. During law school, I served as a Law Clerk Extern with the Nevada Supreme Court, handled foreclosures and small claims in the Florida Fifth Circuit Court, and interned in both the Clark County Public Defender’s Office and the District Attorney’s Office.

HOW LONG YOU HAVE LIVED IN CARSON CITY:  

I moved to Nevada in 1995. 

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

I started my law practice with the Nevada Office of the Attorney General, focusing on civil rights and medical malpractice law. I served as a prosecutor in the Carson City District Attorney’s Office for over 10 years, rising through the ranks until, in 2024, I was unanimously appointed by the Carson City Board of Supervisors as District Attorney. I have worked in Justice Court throughout my career at the District Attorney's office and have spent countless hours in Justice Court prosecuting all types of crimes. I also serve as President of the Nevada District Attorney’s Association, a youth leader with my local congregation, a member of the Juvenile Justice Commission, the Carson City Student Attendance Review Board, and the Carson Rural Child Advocacy Center’s Board of Directors. 

WHAT IS YOUR TOP PRIORITY IF ELECTED? 

Carson City residents deserve a Justice of the Peace educated in the law and experienced with its application. Every criminal case in Carson City starts in the Justice Court. Whether it is a citation for trespass or an arrest for murder, everyone will be heard by a Justice of the Peace. Complex felony proceedings require substantial knowledge of case law, criminal procedure, and the evidentiary code. At every hearing, I will ensure that victims are treated with dignity and respect, and that each offender is held accountable and judged based on the individualized circumstances of their offense and choices. My ten years of experience in the justice court allows me to recognize the difference between repeat harmful offenders who need to be addressed through firm and decisive action and individuals who are likely to be rehabilitated with support, supervision, and structure.

As District Attorney, I have prioritized victims’ access to the court system by implementing improved notification systems, emphasizing victim-centered prosecution, and partnering with the Justice Court to improve the Court’s bail-hearing schedule and translation services. I will continue this important work by ensuring public access to the courts and the prudent use of taxpayer resources. Efficient case management is essential in the criminal justice system. My prosecutorial experience managing hundreds of cases simultaneously will allow me to individually address each case, safeguard constitutional protections, oversee legally compliant presentations of facts, and ensure timely adjudication. 

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

"Equal Justice for All" is the foundation of my judicial philosophy because it is the underpinning of our justice system and the guiding value that shapes my commitment to pursue justice in every case. As a judge, I will ensure that all court participants are treated with respect, constitutional rights are protected, and that the safety of our community is paramount. Justice Court handles bail hearings, search warrants, complex felony hearings (including evidentiary hearings on rape and murder charges), protective orders, landlord-tenant disputes, and small claims. For Carson City residents, Justice Court is likely the only court they will interact with, but it is also the court that has the most significant impact on their day-to-day safety. This position requires someone who understands both the law and the human side of justice—and that’s exactly what my last ten years as a Carson City prosecutor have prepared me to do.

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

I am the only candidate who has a law degree and has worked in Justice Court; this experience provides me the necessary foundation to make good decisions, treat people fairly, and ensure the safety of the public. 

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

Yes