Name: Darvin Zimmerman
Title: Judge
Court: Clark District Court
County: Clark
Discipline: Dismissal
Method of Resolution: Decision
Discipline Date: 09/08/2023
Canons Violated:
Summary: On December 3, 2021, the Commission on Judicial Conduct commenced a public proceeding concerning former Judge Darvin Zimmerman, of the Clark County District Court, by filing a Statement of Charges. The action was based upon a Commission finding of probable cause alleging that Judge Zimmerman violated Canons 1 (Rules 1.1 and 1.2) and Canon 2 (Rules 2.2, 2.3(A), 2.4 and 2.10) of the Code of Judicial Conduct by making comments about a controversial incident and related impending case(s) that displayed racial bias, indicated a lack of impartiality, and implied that he had a personal channel of communication with the Sheriff’s Department regarding pending and impending cases. Judge Zimmerman retired from office on June 30, 2021. A fact-finding hearing in this matter was continued multiple times due to Respondent’s medical condition. Based upon an independent medical evaluation of Respondent’s medical records the parties jointly moved to dismiss this matter. The hearing panel granted the motion and issued an Order Granting Motion to Dismiss Without Prejudice due to the serious risks a hearing would pose to Respondent’s health. The Commission determined that its goal to maintain confidence and integrity in the judicial system was adequately addressed by terminating disciplinary proceedings against former Judge Zimmerman.
Case Documents Available:
Order Granting Motion to Dismiss Without Prejudice filed 9/8/2023.
Sixth Amended Notice of Fact-Finding Hearing filed 7/21/2023.
Supplemental Answer to Statement of Charges and Motion filed 1/26/2022.
Preliminary Answer to Statement of Charges filed 12/28/2021.
Statement of Charges filed 12/3/2021.