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Wednesday Sessions

Wednesday Session Materials (password protected)

April 22, 2026District Court Judges Seminar-Wednesday
10:00 AM-4:00 PMConference Check-In
10:00 AM-11:30 AMNDJA Executive Board and Committee Meeting
11:30 AM-1:00 PMLunch on Your Own
1:00 PM-1:15 PMSeminar Opening
1:15 PM-2:30 PMA Two Part Presentation: A Brief Update on Jail-Based Restoration in Nevada and the Personality Disorder Puzzle in Competency Evaluations

Session Materials (password protected)

Presented by: Judge Christy Craig, Drew Cross, Ronna Dillinger, Ph.D., Dr. Steven Zuchowski

The presentation will open with a brief update regarding jail-based restoration in the state of Nevada. Following this, we will shift to discussing the challenge of distinguishing individuals with personality disorders from those with a serious mental illness. The focus will be on the competency to stand trial evaluation process as it relates to personality disorders and what differentiates them from serious mental illness from the perspective of forensic evaluators. Different data points will be discussed, along with how they influence the decision-making of
the forensic evaluator.

Learning Objectives:

  • Describe recent developments in jail-based competency restoration in Nevada.
  • Differentiate between personality disorders and serious mental illness in the context of competency to stand trial evaluations.
  • Identify key data points considered by forensic evaluators when assessing competency and how these factors influence evaluation outcomes.
2:30 PM-2:45 PM Break
2:45 PM-4:15 PMNevada Appellate Courts Civil Opinion Review

Session Materials (password protected)

Presented by: Kelly Dove, Therese Shanks, Charlie Finlayson, & David Snyder

A review and commentary on civil opinions of the Nevada Supreme Court and Court of Appeals for 2025-2026.

Learning Objectives:

  • Identify recent civil decisions that will have the most impact on the courts.
  • Summarize the importance and consequences of recent civil decisions on their judicial
    decisions.
4:15 PM-4:30 PM Break
4:30 PM-5:30 PMIs that Warrant Warranted?
Session Materials (password protected)

Presented by Judge Jacqueline Bluth

This course is designed to cover the review and approval of search warrants, identify and avoid common pitfalls, analyze recent case law, and apply this knowledge to hypothetical scenarios.

Learning Objectives

  • Go over proper methods of review for telephonic, written, and electronic warrants.
  • Understand the different types of warrants you will review: Ordinary search warrants, PEN registers, Trap and Trace, Interception of Wire, Electronic or Oral Communication, etc.
  • Review recent Nevada Supreme Court rulings in the area of Search and Seizure.
5:30 PM-7:30 PMWelcome Reception