MEET COTTER CONWAY
The Right Experience…
The Right Choice
What makes Cotter C. Conway uniquely qualified to serve in this judicial position?
Conway has an extensive resume that gives him the qualifications, skills, and experience necessary to serve this community as a Justice of the Peace. He is the only candidate with the right experience having served as a Judge Pro Tem in Washoe County for close to 8 years. He has served as a Pro Tem in Sparks Municipal Court, Sparks Justice Court, Incline Justice Court and, of course, Reno Justice Court.
1n 2021, Conway brought that experience to the Reno Justice Court when he was appointed by the Justices of the Reno Justice Court as the Court Referee, a position that handles misdemeanor citations, civil traffic infractions, small claims and other matters including evictions.
Finally, Conway is the only candidate with any experience in Specialty Courts (treatment programs used often for defendants who have substance abuse and/or mental health issues). He had been assigned to the Co-Occurring Disorder Court in the Reno Municipal Court for 8 years. Now will preside over the DUI Court in Reno Justice Court whenever the presiding judge is unavailable.
Throughout an illustrious 32-year career, Conway has been unwavering in his dedication to safeguarding the civil rights and liberties of individuals. His professional journey has encompassed diverse roles from running his own private practice to serving as a Deputy Public Defender for Washoe County and as a Legal Defender for the City of Reno.
This vast experience has led Conway to a desire to serve this community. He believes strongly in upholding the court’s mission to promote and preserve the rule of law and protection of rights by providing a fair, independent, and impartial forum for the peaceful resolution of legal conflicts.
Conway sees the legal process in lower courts as trying to help people, and should be more rehabilitative than punitive, especially when drug use or mental health is part of the equation.
“I think it's important to seek out a way to rehabilitate offenders charged with misdemeanors. A lot of criminal behavior is because people may not have an option, or at least they don't think they have an option, because of their drug addictions or their mental illness. And so I think it's important to address those issues if possible, in the lower courts, at a misdemeanor sentencing. It may be too late when the offender is facing a felony in the District Court.”
– Cotter C. Conway
Running for judicial office is different than competing for other political offices.
“A judicial candidate cannot campaign on policy or how he would rule if he made it to the bench. He must remain impartial. So the important thing for a judicial candidate is to highlight his experience both on the bench as well as in the practice of law. And it’s important for the voter to make that choice based on that proven experience.”
– Cotter C. Conway
Reno Justice Court is the busiest limited jurisdiction court in northern Nevada and the 3rd largest in the state, with more than 35,000 annual filings. Its mission is to promote and preserve the rule of law and protection of rights by providing a fair, independent, and impartial forum for the peaceful resolution of legal conflicts.
The Right Experience…
The Right Choice