Opinion | Nevada’s newest (and least qualified) judge is an alarming teachable moment – By Jessica Levinson (MSNBC) / Dec 29, 2022
Soon-to-be-Judge Michele Fiore appears not always to be a fan of a little thing called the rule of law.
Typically, being qualified for a job is key to actually obtaining that job. This is not true for former Las Vegas City Council member and state Assembly member-turned-soon-to-be-Judge Michele Fiore. Fiore, who just lost her bid to become Nevada’s treasurer, has never practiced law. Indeed, it’s rare to serve as a judge when one has not even attended law school. But more troubling is that Fiore has been the subject of at least one federal investigation and civil suit, has bragged about breaking the state law when she was a member of the state Assembly and previously suggested that law enforcement officers opt not to follow the law. She also appears to seriously lack what the American Bar Association refers to as “judicial temperament.”
Despite all the marks against her, five Nye County commissioners voted unanimously to appoint her to a local judgeship.
Although in small counties in Nevada there is no requirement that justices of the peace have law degrees, Fiore’s dearth of experience will have consequences for her work on the Pahrump Justice Court. She will be charged with deciding whether there is enough evidence for felony and gross misdemeanor cases to proceed to a trial in a state district court. Fiore will also preside over cases that include non-traffic misdemeanors and small claims.
