Judicial Independence Explained: What a Judge Can (and Can’t) Do

What Is Judicial Independence and Why Should You Care?

Here’s the simplest way to put it: judicial independence means a judge can’t be pressured, bought, or influenced into making a decision. Not by a campaign donor. Not by a politician. Not by a friend. Not by public opinion.

When you walk into a courtroom, you need to know the playing field is level. Judicial independence is that guarantee. It’s the reason the outcome of your case depends on the facts and the law, not on who you know or who’s watching.

In Henderson Municipal Court, that can look like:

·       A traffic case decided based on its merits

·       A misdemeanor charge evaluated by the facts and the law

·       A neighbor dispute resolved according to city ordinance, not personal opinion

What a Judge CAN Do

Within the law, a Municipal Court judge has real authority and meaningful discretion:

·       Apply the law to the facts of each case

·       Exercise discretion in sentencing – the law often provides a range, and a judge decides where a case falls based on the circumstances

·       Grant or deny continuances and manage courtroom procedures

·       Explain decisions clearly so residents understand not just what happened, but why

·       Dismiss cases that lack legal merit or where proper procedures weren’t followed

·       Preside over diversion programs and alternative sentencing when appropriate under the law

Knowing when and how to apply these tools – fairly, consistently, and transparently – is exactly what experience gives a judge. And it’s exactly what Henderson residents deserve.

What a Judge CANNOT Do

These boundaries are not suggestions. They are enforceable, ethical legal standards:

·       Allow personal relationships, political affiliation, or outside pressure to influence a decision

·       Discuss a pending case outside the courtroom or prejudge a matter before it is heard

·       Accept gifts, favors, or anything of value from parties who may appear before the court

·       Use the courtroom as a platform for personal opinions or political views

·       Treat people differently based on race, income, gender, or any other protected characteristic

·       Ignore established law, even if they personally disagree with it; a judge’s job is to apply the law, not rewrite it

These boundaries aren’t obstacles to good judging. They are the foundation of it. And they are exactly why a judicial candidate’s character, experience, and professional record matter more than any campaign promise.

Why This Matters for Henderson Voters

When you vote for a Municipal Court judge, you’re not voting for a policy platform. You’re voting for someone whose decisions will directly affect your neighbors, your family, and potentially you. That person needs to understand, deeply and practically, where the boundaries are and why they exist.

I have spent over 30 years practicing law in Nevada, serving as Judge Pro Tem in both Henderson and Las Vegas, and working firsthand with the Veterans Treatment Court. I understand what judicial independence looks like in practice, not just in theory, because I’ve lived it. Henderson residents deserve a judge who takes that responsibility seriously. I do.

The Courtroom Belongs to the Community

Judicial independence doesn’t mean a judge is above accountability. It means they’re accountable to the law, and through elections like this one, to you. That’s the design. That’s the balance. On June 9, 2026, Henderson voters have the opportunity to choose a judge who understands that balance and has the experience to uphold it every single day. I’m Gary Thompson, and I’m asking for your vote.

Primary Election: Tuesday, June 9, 2026

General Election: Tuesday, November 3, 2026

Get Involved

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