For those who have filled out or looked at their ballots here in Washoe County, you’ve probably noticed all the judges who are running unopposed.
One of those includes Judge Connie Steinheimer, who was taken off cases back in February.
Both the Washoe County District Court and the Nevada Commission on Judicial Discipline are keeping its lips pretty sealed.
Each agency claiming it’s a confidential matter, but let’s take a look back at the timeline.
For more than 20 years, Honorable Steinheimer has served Washoe County as a Second Judicial Court Judge in Department 4.
She’s now running in her third election in a row, unopposed.
Each term is six years.
However, on February 23, an administrative order was placed by Chief District Judge Egan Walker, removing Steinheimer from all case and committee assignments.
No reason was given as to why.
In July, all Department 4 cases were reassigned, all criminal cases were move to Department 9 where Judge Scott Freeman practices.
Since then, there’s been no official word or decision on what will happen with Steinheimer.
The administrative order is not a formal suspension, as the Nevada Commission on Judicial Discipline is the one who hold to the authority to suspend or remove elected judicial offices, according to Washoe County District Court.
Since she is not technically being punished, according to Nevada law, Steinheimer can still appear on the ballot.
However, if she is removed even after the election, it’s then up to the Governor to appoint a new judge in her position until the next election, which would be 2028.
Looking into the commission’s procedures, here are the confidential proceedings.
The commission has not posted a decision on it.
A complaint can be filed with the commission for misconduct or disability.
We have called the commission to get more answers, but they said, “no comment.” Citing it’s a confidential matter. We also reached out to Judge Steinheimer directly and have not heard back.
