Jim Spoo Seeks Municipal Court Judge Position in Sparks, Nevada

Reno, Nev., July 22 – Former Sparks Mayor Jim Spoo has entered the Sparks Municipal Court Judge race.

“I know this community closely—as a 27-year resident, leader, policy maker and prosecutor," said Spoo. "My approach to this judgeship is grounded in a full sense of our community, not merely in the law.”

If elected judge, Spoo would like to institute two programs designed to benefit individuals and the community of Sparks.

“Courtside @ School” shows students the serious impacts of crime by periodically holding live court proceedings at high schools. Educators, law enforcement and court officials have expressed enthusiasm for this program that could deter high school students from making disastrous choices.

Bernie Anderson, Chair of the Nevada State Assembly Judiciary Committee and retired Reed High School teacher of government studies, supports Spoo's ideas.

“It’s critical to impact young people before they or their friends end up in court because young offenders are most likely to become serious adult criminals," said Anderson. "Instead of paying to imprison or rehabilitate offenders, I believe Jim Spoo’s Courtside at School program is a crime prevention tool that teaches students, and teaches them to teach friends, how to be model citizens."

Jim Spoo also offered the Senior Court Facilitator program that pairs trained volunteers from existing nonprofit organizations to act as companions for seniors who may face physical or emotional problems getting through the court process.

Municipal Court can present serious problems for seniors summoned as victims, witnesses or defendants for matters such as zoning problems affecting their housing, theft of lifetime valuables, injurious accidents, physical abuse, and other profound quality-of-life issues. Local senior advocates & senior organizations support the program.

Spoo has a long history of Nevada public service. He was twice elected mayor of Sparks (1983-1990) and was executive director for the Nevada State Commission on Economic Development from 1990-1993. He was Sparks City Prosecutor, State Appeals Referee, and he was a co-founder of Truckee Meadows Tomorrow.

Municipal Court is where zoning violations, domestic assault, drunk driving, drug possession, theft and other misdemeanor crimes are decided.

Presently Spoo is a Court-Appointed Arbitrator for Washoe County District Court and Sparks Municipal Court Judge Pro Tem. He is a private practice attorney in Reno.

Jim Spoo is available for comment. For more information, see www.spoo4sparks.com or call publicist Dali Wiederhoft at 775.786.4445 x108 to schedule an interview.
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