On Wednesday, April 1, 2026, the Nevada Commission on Judicial Discipline publicly reprimanded Max Bunch, a Senior Judge for the Union Township Justice Court in Humboldt County, following a judicial conduct complaint. The reprimand stems from violations of the Revised Nevada Code of Judicial Conduct.
The case is entitled “In the Matter of Judge Max Bunch,” with case number 2024-224-P
According to the stipulation and order of consent, Judge Bunch violated Canon 1, Rule 1.1, which requires compliance with the law, and Rule 1.2, which mandates acting in a manner that promotes public confidence in the judiciary’s independence, integrity, and impartiality. Additionally, he was found to have violated Canon 2, Rule 2.5(A), requiring competent and diligent performance of judicial and administrative duties.
The specific instance that led to the reprimand involved a case, State v. Stovall, concerning driving under the influence of alcohol/drugs. Judge Bunch conducted an evidentiary hearing regarding a Motion to Suppress Evidence on September 29, 2021, but did not issue an order granting the motion until September 27, 2024, nearly three years later.
During the intervening period, the parties’ counsel filed a Joint Request for Review of Pending Motions on November 22, 2022. The District Attorney also filed a Motion for a Status Hearing on August 8, 2024, and Judge Bunch scheduled a status hearing for October 2, 2024, which was then vacated when the suppression order was issued on September 27, 2024.
Judge Bunch has waived his right to contest the allegations and agreed to the immediate effect of the public reprimand.
A copy of the original filing can be found here.
