Election Guide News, voter information Marla Zlotek John Davis Advertisement

Will experience as a judge count for another term in office, or will voters choose a fresh outlook? John Davis has spent nearly two decades adjudicating cases while Marla Zlotek has served as an attorney for nearly as long.

Judge John Davis

Judge John Davis has served on the bench for 18 years.

This is his seventh bid for re-election and he summarized his campaign this way: "The campaign will be worked hard. I believe I am the best candidate for the job."

Five of those 18 years were spent in the Justice Court. In the past 18 years he has heard over 240 cases, half of those were divorce cases. He has also heard civil cases, domestic violence cases, mining law, and mining title cases.

In his opinion mining titles have become more important because of the increase in gold mining. He said, "Gold mining is the most important industry in the state of Nevada after the gaming industry."

With no law clerk of his own, for the last eight years in Tonopah, he picks up a case, studies it thoroughly, then proceeds to trial. Not having his own law clerk has saved the county $50,000 per year over the last eight years.

Without his own law clerk he said some of the most important attributes a judge must have are "the ability to have patience, be an expert on every matter that comes before the court, work in blocks of time and have a wide variety of expertise."

He added, "Being fair is difficult because I must abide by a jury's decision and abide by the law when handing down a sentence."

He has heard 15 murder trials, and his most difficult case was a defendant found guilty by the jury. Judge Davis handed down a death sentence due to the circumstances of the case and abiding by the death penalty law in the state of Nevada.

He said, "The case was later appealed to a higher court and the death sentence was overturned."

During a sentencing phase, he explained, "A trial in civil context creates disgruntled individuals, so I take the time to explain my decision and that I understand their disappointment."

He sees the need for a second courtroom being built in Pahrump to help speed up cases. At this time he and Judge Robert Lane must share one courtroom and schedule cases around each other's schedules.

"With the increase in the growth of Pahrump a second courtroom is vital to carry out the judicial process in a more timely manner," Davis said.

Marla Zlotek

With a second courtroom in place here, said Marla Zlotek, there would be no need for travel to Tonopah to have cases heard, thus limiting the expenses to the court, the attorneys and witnesses.

"If elected as district court judge, then both judges would be residents of Pahrump and the need to commute to Pahrump would not exist to hear the majority of cases."

She has been an attorney for 16 years and has been the senior deputy district attorney for Nye County since 1995. She has spent six years as a criminal prosecutor and was also handling juvenile criminal cases. She represented the state in child welfare proceedings and prosecuted misdemeanor, gross misdemeanor and felony cases.

"I have reviewed well over a thousand sheriff's reports, prosecuted or resolved hundreds of misdemeanor trials or preliminary hearings, first chaired approximately 15 jury trials and prepared for and resolved many cases prior to trial," she said.

For the last seven years she was assigned to the civil division of the DA's office and dealt with legal matters in which the county found itself defendant as well as plaintiff. She dealt with contracts on behalf of the county, rendered legal opinions and prepared for both defense and prosecution of civil cases involving Nye County.

She handled a complex variety of issues, from contracts and tax questions to open meeting law disputes and easements.

"My education, experience in civil and criminal law and my work ethic would enable me to faithfully and impartially perform the duties of district court judge," she said. "It is very important for me to treat people fairly and respectfully."

She has also volunteered her time as an instructor at the Nye County Regional Training Academy since 2002 and is a past instructor with the Community College of Southern Nevada.

Originally from northeastern Pennsylvania, Zlotek attended Loyola University School of Law and graduated sixth in a class of 239. She has been employed in a CPA firm and a law firm in Texas.

Married for 23 years, she said, "I'd like to continue to serve the public, and if elected judge I would be fair and impartial in the administration of the duties of a district court judge."