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Washoe Courts
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The Washoe County court system handles a wide range of civil and criminal cases in Reno, Sparks, and surrounding areas. This article provides an overview of the courts and legal resources available to residents.
Washoe County Courts
The Second Judicial District Court is the main trial court that hears felony criminal cases, civil cases over $15,000, juvenile cases, family court matters like divorce and custody, and appeals from lower courts in Washoe County. There are currently sixteen Second Judicial District Court judges.
Some key departments include:
Criminal Division – handles felony criminal cases with potential sentences over 1 year. Cases range from DUI and theft to violent offenses.
Civil Division – handles lawsuits over $15,000 involving breach of contract, personal injury, medical malpractice, wrongful death, and more.
Family Division – handles divorce, child custody, spousal support, and other domestic cases.
There are also several specialty courts like the Adult Drug Court and Mental Health Court that aim to rehabilitate certain offenders through intensive supervision and treatment services.
The Second Judicial District Court has a Self-Help Center to assist people representing themselves without an attorney. It provides document preparation assistance, legal information, and referrals.
Washoe County also has three Municipal Courts that hear misdemeanor criminal cases, traffic cases, civil cases under $15,000, and small claims cases under $10,000. The Reno Municipal Court is the main one.
Finding an Attorney
People facing criminal charges or dealing with complex civil lawsuits generally benefit from hiring an experienced local attorney. Resources like Avvo, LawInfo, and FindLaw provide lawyer directories and legal guidance.
Key things to consider when choosing an attorney include:
Specialization – Find someone who focuses on your type of case. A divorce lawyer differs from a DUI defense attorney.
Experience – It’s ideal to hire a seasoned Washoe County litigation attorney familiar with local courts, judges, and processes.
Resources – The scale of law firm and support staff affects what they can handle. Solo practitioners are often more affordable.
Communication – Find an attorney who listens well and clearly explains options. Trust your gut.
Many firms offer free consultations, so it can help speak to a few before deciding. Average legal fees often start around $200-$300 per hour. Contingency fees or flat rates are common for certain cases. Don’t hesitate to discuss costs upfront and compare rates.
Representing Yourself
While not recommended for complex or felony criminal cases, people can represent themselves in Washoe County courts. The Self-Help Center located at 1 South Sierra Street provides forms, guidance, and referrals for common civil matters like:
Landlord/tenant disputes
Small claims lawsuits
Guardianship petitions
Divorce, child custody, child support
Probate of estates
They also have packets for responding to lawsuits and filing appeals/motions.
Be aware the judges and court staff cannot provide any legal advice. Hiring an attorney for at least part of your case or to review documents can still prove useful. Record keeping and meeting all deadlines also becomes critical when self-represented.
The Washoe County Law Library additionally maintains DIY court forms and info sheets on their website.
Finding a Mediator
For certain civil disputes, mediation provides a cost-effective way to potentially reach settlement agreements out of court. A trained neutral mediator facilitates discussions between parties to identify mutual interests and compromise solutions.
Washoe County residents can search mediator directories at sites like the Northern Nevada Mediation Center. Average mediation session fees range $200-$300 per hour split between parties. Some factors when selecting a mediator include:
Expertise – Find someone experienced in your dispute type like divorce or contract arguments.
Style – Mediators vary between being more evaluative by assessing cases or more facilitative by guiding communication.
Availability – Find someone able to begin promptly and fit your schedule. Remote sessions are now common.
While not legally binding, mediated agreements have high compliance rates and often save significant time and expenses over traditional litigation.
Initial Court Appearances
The first court date is typically an arraignment for criminal cases or a case management conference for civil lawsuits.
Defendants in criminal cases are informed of charges and enter a “not guilty” plea by default. The judge discusses bail terms and appoints public defenders for those without private attorneys. Make sure to comply with any orders around drug testing, ankle monitors, or check-ins.
Civil case management conferences address scheduling of initial disclosures, discovery, motions, and settlement talks. These planning conferences aim to frame key deadlines and scope early case issues. Failing to attend can result in default rulings against you, so punctuality is key even if discussions seem administrative.
Reaching Settlements
Many Washoe County cases resolve through settlements rather than full trials. Even if you believe you have a strong defense or claim, the time and stress of litigation takes a toll. Settlements provide certainty and control.
Be reasonable and pick your battles in negotiating settlements. Compromise is key. Have your attorney present figures grounded in realistic assessments of liability, damages and legal positions.
While sometimes necessary, going to trial is extremely time-intensive and the outcomes become unpredictable. Jury awards also get appealed regularly. Even “winning” at trial does not guarantee you actually collect.
What to Expect at Trial
If settlement talks fail and your case goes to trial, understand the basic court process and your role:
– Voir Dire – Jury selection questioning process aiming to eliminate biases. Lawyers size up prospective jurors.
– Opening Statements – Lawyers present overview of core case facts and positions to frame key issues.
– Witness Testimony – Questioning of plaintiff/prosecution witnesses first, then defense witnesses. Aims to establish timelines, present evidence, and reveal contradictions. Expert witnesses common in civil trials.
– Closing Arguments – Final chance for lawyers to argue why evidence and testimony supports their client’s position.
– Jury Deliberations – The jury discusses and debates all evidence to reach a unanimous verdict. No time limits exist.
– Verdict – Jury’s decision and any damage amounts read before the court. Penalties phase follows for criminal convictions.
While daunting, remember every case turns on its own facts and the prosecution bears the burden of proving charges “beyond a reasonable doubt.” An experienced local attorney knows what arguments and defense strategies resonate best with Washoe County juries.
With proper preparation, many individuals achieve acquittals even facing serious allegations. Do not simply plead guilty because the system intimidates you. Explore all defense options vigorously.
Finding Closure and Moving Forward
Resolving any court case brings a mix of emotions. Even legal “wins” through settlements or verdicts rarely provide the closure or vindication people seek from trials. The legal system is an imperfect tool applied to complex human dynamics and harms.
Seek support from friends, family or professionals in the aftermath. Turn focus to the personal relationships and activities that matter most. Appeal outcomes only with strong legal grounds – appeals themselves cause frustration when simply second-guessing judges or juries.
While easier said than done, try framing the court process itself as the best form of closure possible. The justice system has protocols for hearing both sides and rendering impartial decisions. You engaged that system fully, even when outcomes proved disappointing. No system can remedy all pains suffered. Acceptance becomes key, even as you pursue all legal remedies.
Healing happens through understanding ourselves and forging human connections – not courtrooms.