Article by:
Jessica Peterson, Esq.
I am Jessica Peterson and I am running for District Court Department 8, I want to help. Unlike my opponent, who spent his entire career as an insurance defense attorney, I have experience in multiple areas of the law, including criminal law where my opponent has none. Additionally, as anyone who knows me will tell you I am a caring, compassionate, and generous person, who at the end of the day simply wants to help people. These characteristics were ingrained in me from a very young age and stemmed from a lesson that a homeless woman taught me.
Imagine if you will, an 8 year old playing in the street in front of her apartment in California when a woman walked up to me and asked me if I had a cigarette lighter. Being only 8 years old, of course I did not but I told her my mom would have one. As we started to walk to my apartment, this woman began telling me how she was homeless; being only 8, and having never seen a homeless person, I did not know what that meant and I told her as much. She tearfully explained to me what it meant to be homeless and have nowhere to live. I learned a valuable lesson that I have carried with me since that day, no matter what we all have the ability to help. Ever since that day, I have tried to help people as much as I can. The phrase “to those who are given much, much is expected” comes to mind. I readily acknowledge that I have been given much, but I also do not take anything for granted, and I will always strive to help anyone who asks for my help. This is why I wanted to be an attorney and ultimately a Judge, because I want to help, especially those who find themselves entangled in the legal system which can often be a scary place. I want to try and make an uncomfortable situation less so, a scary situation less so, a confusing situation less so.
I have spent the last twenty years of my career working as a general practitioner representing clients in every area of the law from misdemeanor criminal matters to complex civil litigation against the FDIC and everything in between. I have a proven track record of settling matters for my clients in a cost effective and expeditious manner. I also much to the chagrin of my bosses, regularly cut my bills and take on cases pro bono so that people will have representation when they need it. I have effectively been serving as a Judge for the last four years as a Court Appointed Arbitrator. My personal desire to help also extends into helping the community and I have been a Member of the Board of Directors for the Rape Crisis Center, the Past President and current Member of the North Las Vegas Rotary which has numerous programs that help the local community, a former Truancy Diversion Judge and just recently I have joined 100 Women Who Care, and am also a sponsor of Nevada Women In Trades. I served in this community long before I ever decided to actually run for Judge and I will continue to do so whether I am elected or not.
I will be a fair, conscientious, empathetic Judge, who will render timely, intelligible, easily understandable law based decisions. I will treat every person who comes into my courtroom with dignity and respect. I will make sure that you understand how and why I arrived at the decisions that I did and I will do whatever I possibly can to be of assistance to the litigants and the attorneys in my courtroom, because that is who I am as a person, I am someone who wants to help.
My opponent was appointed not elected by the people and spent 32 years prior to becoming a Judge as an insurance defense attorney working for big insurance firms whose goal was denying just compensation to individuals who had been injured.
My personal and professional experience make me the best candidate for the position, and I would very much appreciate your vote.