On Tuesday, July 18, 2023, the Nevada Commission on Judicial Discipline publicly reprimanded Honorable Nadin Cutter, Judge of the Eight Judicial District Court, Clark County, Nevada, for her misconduct involving delaying the issuance of a divorce decree for nearly 13 months after the trial and acted in a manner that undermined public confidence in the judiciary.

The case is entitled “In the Matter of Nadin Cutter,” with case no. 2022-004-P, 2022-036-P.

The charges cited Code of Judicial Conduct Rule 1.1, 1.2, Canon 2, and Rule 2.5(a) which states:

Requiring the respondent to comply with the law.

Requiring respondents to act at all times in a manner that promotes public confidence in the judiciary.

Requiring respondent to perform judicial and administrative duties competently and diligently.

Judge Cutter admits to violating several rules of the Nevada Code of Judicial Conduct in relation to a divorce case she presided over. It was alleged that the respondent delayed issuing the divorce decree for nearly 13 months after the trial and acted in a manner that undermined public confidence in the judiciary. As a result of a stipulation with the Nevada Commission on Judicial Discipline, Judge Cutter agreed to a public reprimand and to complete a judicial education course on case flow, workflow, or time management within six months of the order.

The Stipulation and Order states:

“Case Nos. 2022-004-P and 2022-036-P both concern the matter of 23 Garcia v. Garcia, EJDC Case No. D-19-600454-D (a divorce action involving child custody), 24 during the period spanning January 2021, through June 2022. Garcia was initiated on or about 25 December 4, 2019, and was reassigned to Respondent shortly after she was elected and sworn 26 into EJDC Department Ton or about January 4, 202 l. Respondent presided over a bench trial 27 in the action commencing on March 17, 2021, and took the matter under submission.

Subsequently, the pa11ies inquired at least thirty-one (31) times, which were documented by Respondent’s Judicial Executive Assistant and Judicial Law Clerk and conveyed to Respondent, regarding the status of issuing a divorce decree. On or about February 4, 2022, the defendant in Garcia filed with the Court a “Motion to Resolve Issues … ” (“Motion”). Respondent conducted a hearing regarding the Motion on or about March 30, 2022, and ultimately entered a Findings of Fact, Conclusions of Law, and Decree of Divorce (“Decree”) on April 15, 2022. Respondent took further actions in Garcia through June 2022.”

The Stipulation and Order continues:

“During the timeframe identified directly above, Respondent (a) took the matter under consideration after the trial; and (b) delayed issuing the Decree until April 15, 2022, nearly thirteen months after the trial and only after the defendant in Garcia filed the Motion. Respondent admits to all the allegations brought against her in paragraphs (l)(A) through (B) as set forth above.”

In relation to her admission, the respondent agreed to waive her right to present her case and contest the allegations against her in a formal hearing. She consented to a public reprimand. The commission accepted her waiver and stipulates her consent for a public reprimand based on clear and convincing evidence that she violated specific judicial canons and rules. The respondent further agreed to complete a judicial education course on case flow, workflow, or time management within six months, at her expense. By accepting the terms of the order, she waives her right to appeal to the Nevada Supreme Court or seek any other forms of extraordinary relief to challenge the order.

The Disposition states:

“IT IS HEREBY ORDERED that Respondent is hereby publicly reprimanded for violating the Code, Canon l, Rule I .1 and Rule 1.2, and Canon 2, Rule 2.5(A). IT IS FURTHER ORDERED that Respondent shall complete, at her own expense, a judicial education course/seminar on the topic of caseflow, workflow, or time management, or such similar course/seminar as may be available with the approval of the Commission’s Executive Director within six (6) months of the filing date of this Order.”

Judge Nadin Cutter’s courtroom is located at 601 North Pecos Road. Las Vegas, Nevada 89101 and can be reached at (702) 455-2590. Her info can be found on ballotpedia.org.

A copy of the original filing can be found here.