Justice of the Peace: Ingram touts county experience

Brenda Ingram, director of Court Services for Churchill County, is one of three candidates who has filed for justice of the peace, New River Township Justice Court.

Incumbent Ben Trotter, Stuart Richardson and Ingram filed in January for the nonpartisan office. Voters will go to the polls for early voting from May 25 to June 7 for the primary election on June 11. The two highest candidates receiving votes will advance to the general election.

Ingram has been director of Court Services since 2009. During her career with Churchill County, Ingram said she has worked in every capacity from civil to misdemeanor clerk, felony clerk and chief court clerk. She listed her responsibilities as chief court clerk which included staff supervision and ensuring a well-functioning and efficient court.

Ingram said she is most proud of Court Services, which was formed to address jail overcrowding and to improve the overall efficiency and effectiveness of the county’s criminal justice system.

“Within just 15 months, my department received national recognition from the National Association of Counties for its effectiveness and innovation, reflecting our success in enhancing county government and the court system,” she said in a prepared statement.

As director of Court Services, Ingram said she manages the day-to-day operations of the department, prepares and manages the budget, writes and administer grants, formulates policies and procedures and supervises staff.

“I am also a hands-on department head, and I assist staff with the daily requirements of supervising inmates what are released from our jail,” she said.

Ingram represents Churchill County on the Nevada Local Justice Reinvestment Coordinating Council, which comprises one representative from each county. She also is certified as a pretrial services professional with honors from the National Association of Pretrial Services Agencies.

Ingram said the community and justice system deserves a judge who will be more selective when releasing individuals from jail on their own recognizance.

“I will be more focused on community safety when it comes to releasing arrestees,” she said, adding those individuals are being released from jail despite being a high risk to the community.

Ingram said the Nevada Supreme Court has mandated the use of an evidence-based assessment tool that determines if a defendant will re-offence or fail to appear for court if released. The assessment, said Ingram, is then released to the justice of the peace. She said the risk assessment is clear and convincing.

In her release, Ingram said a major contrast with her opponents is commitment. She alleges the current judge has treated the justice of the peace position as a “part-time job.” Ingram said she also questions Richardson’s commitment since he said he’ll keep his business open several days a week if elected.

“I know for a fact that there is plenty that a justice of the peace should be doing throughout the day,” she said.

Ingram said she will bring her experience to the New River Township Justice Court and feels she’s developed an excellent working relationship over the years with the county’s other department heads and her colleagues throughout Nevada.

“I believe my track record demonstrates my commitment to our community and my ability to make a positive impact on the justice system,” she added.