Deborah Schumacher
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Deborah Schumacher, currently a judge on the Washoe County Family Court, was the second highest vote recipient in the primary race for Seat B on the Nevada Supreme Court.[1] Her opponents were Don Chairez, Kris Pickering and Nancy Allf. They were all running to fill the seat vacated by the retirement of William Maupin. Pickering was the overall winner in the August 12 primary. As the candidates with the two highest vote totals, they will face each other in the November general election to determine who win the bench seat.[1],[1],[1]
Although campaigns for state Supreme Court justice in Nevada are non-partisan, it is known that Schumacher is affiliated with the Democratic party.[1]
Background
Deborah Schumacher is married with three children.
Legal Education
Schumacher graduated with a B.A. from Valparaiso University as an Honors College Scholar in 1977, earned her Masters in United States History from The University of Chicago in 1978, and completed her J.D. from the University of Notre Dame in 1983.
Legal Experience
Schumacher was an instructor for the History Department of Valparaiso University from 1978-1980, was an Associate for McCutchen, Doyle, Brown & Enerson in San Francisco, CA from 1983-85, Partner at McDonald, Carano, Wilson, McCune, Frankovich & Hicks from 1985-97, Part-time Court Master for the Family Division, Second Judicial District Court from 1992-97.
Schumacher has been District Court Judge, Department 5, Second Judicial District Court from 1997 through the present.[1]
Associations and Awards
In February of 2008, Judge Schumacher received the Siera Association of Foster Families 2008 Image Award.[1]
Judge Schumacher initiated and currently presides over the District's Juvenile Drug Court, has been on the faculty for continuing education sponsored by the National Judicial College, the National District Atttorney's Association, Nevada Trial Lawyers, the National Council of Juvenile and Family Court Judges, the State Bar of Nevada, and Northern Nevada Women Lawyer's Association. Judge Schumacher also helps train Court Appointed Special Advocates. Judge Schumacher is a board member of Friends of the Washoe County Library.[1]
Judge Schumacher has participated in numerous professional efforts to improve the lives of children and families in our community, including the Nevada Children's Justice Task Force, the task force on the Professionalization of Foster Care in Nevada, and the Statewide Adoption Advisory Committee. During 1998-99, she was an ad hoc member of ACR 57, the interim legislative subcommittee which examined juvenile delinquency laws. Judge Schumacher is the "lead judge" of the District's "Model Court" project in the area of improving the handling of foster care cases, under the aegis of the National Council of Juvenile and Family Court Judges.[1]
Campaign contributions
As of early August 2008, Schumacher's campaign has received $317,740 in cash contributions, including $150,000 of her own funds.[1]
In the 2006 judicial elections, Deborah Schumacher contributed $200 to Nancy Becker's campaign for the Supreme Court.[1]
In the News: Articles
Schumacher Endorses Intermediate Appellate Courts
As a Supreme Court justice [Schumacher] said the most important part of her work would be to look at certain Nevada laws that "are a little thin." To that end, she endorses an intermediate appellate court that would--if voters approve the measure when and if it comes up--alleviate some of the more mundane work the very busy current court assumes.[1]
Judicial Performance Report Card: Positive Marks
In a "report card" on Nevada judges sent out each year, Schumacher has earned high marks for her intellect and sound judgment, as well as her ability to be fair and impartial; all hallmarks of a good judge, she said.“I try to treat everybody in court fairly,” she said, “and with dignity. A person's experience in court, how they're treated, is just as important as the outcome.”[1]
Schumacher only sitting Judge in Elections
Washoe District Judge Deborah Schumacher is “remarkably, the only sitting judge” in the Nevada Supreme Court race, as she informed the crowd at a Democratic function.[1]
Chairez and Schumacher filed for Supreme Court
With the announcement that Bill Maupin isn't seeking a third term on the Nevada Supreme Court, it took only a day for the position to draw two contenders. Washoe District Judge Deborah Schumacher and former Clark County District Judge Don Chairez, both 52, filed for Supreme Court Seat B on Wednesday. For Chairez, a former Clark County District Judge, it is his second attempt to win the seat. Maupin defeated him in 2002 by a margin of more than 2 to 1. Schumacher, a member of the Washoe bench since her appointment by Gov. Bob Miller in 1997, conceded it will take a lot of work to win against a Clark County candidate.[1]
Nevada Supreme Court Commission To Examine Indigent Defense
Nevada Supreme Court Chief Justice A. William Maupin announced the creation of a commission to study the way legal assistance is provided for criminal defendants who cannot afford to hire their own attorneys. Chief Justice Maupin said the Commission on Indigent Defense, which is the second Supreme Court commission to be announced in two weeks, will study the issue statewide. The Commission will be chaired by Justice Michael Cherry, who had a history of public sector criminal defense service before becoming a judge. Chief Justice Maupin will be an ex officio member. "The Supreme Court believes deeply in the principle that all indigent defendants should be provided effective attorney representation so their rights are preserved and the integrity of the court system is protected," Chief Justice Maupin said. Justice Cherry added that "when court appointed attorneys are ineffective or inadequate, it sometimes results in cases being reversed and new trials ordered. "That is costly for taxpayers and an additional burden on the court system. The best solution is to have competent, experienced, and effective attorneys available to represent indigent defendants."
Current membership on the Commission includes Second Judicial District Family Judge Deborah Schumacher.[1]
See Also
External Links
- Deborach Schumacher for Supreme Court, candidate's website.
- Primary Election ballot will be pretty sparse
- Schumacher's bio on the Second Judicial District court website
