On Tuesday, December 13, 2022, the Supreme Court of the State of Nevada certified the “Stipulation and Order of Consent to Public Reprimand” against Adam Vander Heyden, Pro Tem Judge of Las Vegas Justice Court, Clark County. The case is styled as ‘In the matter of Adam Vander Heyden’ with case number #85781.
The judge was charged with violating Canon 1, Rules 1.1, 1.2, and 1.3, and Canon 2, Rules 2.8(a) and 2.10(A), which requires:
Respondent to comply with the law, including the Code.
Respondent to act at all times in a manner that promotes public confidence in the independence, integrity, and impartiality of the judiciary and shall avoid impropriety and the appearance of impropriety.
Respondent not to abuse the prestige of judicial office to advance the personal or economic interests of the judge or others, or allow others to do so.
Respondent to ensure order and decorum in proceedings before the court.
Respondent not to make any public statement that might reasonably be expected to affect the outcome or impair the fairness of a matter pending or impending any court, or make any nonpublic statement that might substantially interfere with a fair trial or hearing, in his capacity as a Pro Tem Judge in and for the Las Vegas Justice Court, in Clark County, State of Nevada.
The following are as alleged and summarized from the filing.
Respondent Judge Heyden allegedly engaged in misconduct when he created videos depicting Respondent on the bench presiding over actual judicial proceedings, without the litigants’ or court personnel’s consent. Such videos were published through Golden Medina Services’ “Instagram” and “Tik Tok” videos and contained sound effects, laughing emojis, music, voiceover, and post-proceeding commentary, along with references to Respondent’s private law firm and its internet address, captioned “Need legal help? I’m a defense attorney in the State of Nevada.” All the aforementioned videos were disseminated to the public.
The Order reads:
‘Respondent agrees to waive his right to represent his case and contest the allegations in the information set forth above in a formal hearing pursuant to CPR 18. Respondent also agrees that this Stipulation and Order of Consent to Public Reprimand (“Order”) takes effect immediately pursuant to CPR 29. The Commission accepts Respondent’s waiver of said right and acknowledges and agrees to the immediate effect of this Order. Respondent further agrees to appear before the Commission in a public proceeding, if required by the Commission, to discuss this Order in more detail and to answer any questions from the Commissioners related to this case.’
Respondent and the Commission stipulated to Judge Vander Heyden’s consent to a public reprimand pursuant to CPR 29.
The disposition reads:
“IT IS HEREBY ORDERED that Respondent is hereby publicly reprimanded for violating the Code, Canon 1, Rules 1.1, 1.2, and 1.3, and Canon 2, Rules 2.8(A) and 2.10(A).
IT IS FURTHER ORDERED that Respondent shall not serve as a Pro Tem Judge in the future.
IT IS FURTHER ORDERED that the Executive Director of the Commission take the necessary steps to file this document in the appropriate records and on the website of the Commission and with the Clerk of the Nevada Supreme Court,”
The Judge earned a law degree from Thomas Cooley Law School in Michigan. His info can be found on the website of his law firm, DUIdoctor. The Judge’s Courtroom is located at 200 Lewis Avenue Las Vegas in Clark County.
A copy of the original filing can be found here.
