citycourt

YERINGTON MUNICIPAL COURT
102 South Main Street Yerington, Nevada 89447 Phone: (775) 463-3511 Fax: (775) 463-9691

Frances R. Vidal Municipal Court Judge

*JURISDICTION* The Yerington Municipal Court has jurisdiction over all misdemeanor and traffic cases issued by the Yerington Police Department or the Yerington City Attorney’s office which occur within the city limits. The maximum penalties it may impose are a sentence of up to 6 months in the Lyon County jail and a fine of not more than $1,000.00, or a combination of these. However, if there are multiple offenses, the penalties may add up to exceed these limits. The Municipal Court is also allowed to impose community service and restitution as a penalty, and may even suspend a sentence with certain conditions to be met. Some other criminal matters, such as Driving Under the Influence and Domestic Battery, have other mandated requirements consisting of treatment programs, evaluations and/or counseling, etc. Although these requirements are ordered by the Court, the offender is responsible for any cost incurred. There is no city public defender’s office, so indigent Defendants appearing before the Court who need legal assistance and qualify for a court-appointed attorney are required to re-pay the city for attorney fees when they are able to do so. No one is appointed an attorney unless there is a possibility that a jail sentence may be imposed. *COURT LOCATION AND POLICIES* The Court and its offices are located in the City Hall at 102 South Main Street, Yerington, Nevada, diagonally across the street from the Lyon County Courthouse. The phone number is (775) 463-3511 and the FAX number is (775) 463-9691. There is ample parking available in the City lot adjacent to the building. The Court has one clerk, Carol Jones, who started with the Municipal Court in 2004. Municipal Court schedules first appearances, arraignments and case reviews on Wednesdays beginning at 8:30 a.m. Trials, pre-trial conferences and other matters involving the City Attorney and any defense attorneys are usually scheduled for Thursdays. The judge is the trier of fact and makes the decision on guilt or innocence. There are no longer any jury trials in municipal court. The most common types of trials include: Driving under the Influence, 1^st and 2^nd offenses; Domestic Battery Simple Battery Trespassing Affray (mutual combat) Traffic Offenses ( reckless, careless driving, speed contests, etc.) Possession of Drug Paraphernalia* Often this misdemeanor charge accompanies a felony drug charge. The felony will be filed in Justice Court to then be transferred to District Court. The City Court will only handle the misdemeanor part of the offense. COURTROOM ATTIRE* Court attire is restricted to no shorts, tank tops or bare feet. Persons wearing T-shirts with offensive logos will be asked to either cover them or leave to change clothes. Large bags must be left at the front counter. *FINE PAYMENTS* Payment plans for payments of fines are available, but it is a privilege, not a right, and it is up to the discretion of the court. There is a bookkeeping fee of between $25.00 and $100.00 as allowed by law to set up a payment schedule. No payments can be allowed unless the person appears in Court first.

JURISDICTION

The Yerington Municipal Court has jurisdiction over all misdemeanor and traffic cases issued by the Yerington Police Department or the Yerington City Attorney’s office which occur within the city limits. The maximum penalties it may impose are a sentence of up to 6 months in the Lyon County jail and a fine of not more than $1,000.00, or a combination of these. However, if there are multiple offenses, the penalties may add up to exceed these limits. The Municipal Court is also allowed to impose community service and restitution as a penalty, and may even suspend a sentence with certain conditions to be met. Some other criminal matters, such as Driving Under the Influence and Domestic Battery, have other mandated requirements consisting of treatment programs, evaluations and/or counseling, etc. Although these requirements are ordered by the Court, the offender is responsible for any cost incurred.

There is no city public defender’s office, so indigent Defendants appearing before the Court who need legal assistance and qualify for a court-appointed attorney are required to re-pay the city for attorney fees when they are able to do so. No one is appointed an attorney unless there is a possibility that a jail sentence may be imposed.

COURT LOCATION AND POLICIES

The Court and its offices are located in the City Hall at 102 South Main Street, Yerington, Nevada, diagonally across the street from the Lyon County Courthouse. The phone number is (775) 463-3511 and the FAX number is (775) 463-9691.

There is ample parking available in the City lot adjacent to the building.

The Court has one clerk, Carol Jones, who started with the Municipal Court in 2004.

Municipal Court schedules first appearances, arraignments and case reviews on Wednesdays beginning at 8:30 a.m.

Trials, pre-trial conferences and other matters involving the City Attorney and any defense attorneys are usually scheduled for Thursdays. The judge is the trier of fact and makes the decision on guilt or innocence. There are no longer any jury trials in municipal court.

The most common types of trials include:

Driving under the Influence, 1^st and 2^nd offenses;

Domestic Battery

Simple Battery

Trespassing

Affray (mutual combat)

Traffic Offenses ( reckless, careless driving, speed contests, etc.)

Possession of Drug Paraphernalia*

*Often this misdemeanor charge accompanies a felony drug charge. The felony will be filed in Justice Court to then be transferred to District Court. The City Court will only handle the misdemeanor part of the offense.

COURTROOM ATTIRE

Court attire is restricted to no shorts, tank tops or bare feet. Persons wearing T-shirts with offensive logos will be asked to either cover them or leave to change clothes. Large bags must be left at the front counter.

FINE PAYMENTS

Payment plans for payments of fines are available, but it is a privilege, not a right, and it is up to the discretion of the court. There is a bookkeeping fee of between $25.00 and $100.00 as allowed by law to set up a payment schedule. No payments can be allowed unless the person appears in Court first.