Amy Ferreira (Nevada)

This page was current at the end of the individual's last campaign covered by Ballotpedia. Please contact us with any updates.

Amy Ferreira

Nonpartisan

Elections and appointments

Last election

November 5, 2024

Education

Bachelor's

College of the Holy Cross, 2003

Contact

Campaign website

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Amy Ferreira ran for election for the Department 8 judge of the Las Vegas Township Justice Court in Nevada. Ferreira lost in the general election on November 5, 2024.

Ferreira completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey in 2024. Click here to read the survey answers.

Biography

Amy Ferreira earned a bachelor's degree from the College of the Holy Cross in 2003. Ferreira has been affiliated with the Humane Society of the United States and the Southern Nevada Association of Women Attorneys.

Elections

2024

See also: City elections in Las Vegas, Nevada (2024)

General election

General election for Las Vegas Township Justice Court Department 8

Nancy Bernstein defeated Amy Ferreira in the general election for Las Vegas Township Justice Court Department 8 on November 5, 2024.

		Candidate	%	Votes
✔		Nancy Bernstein (Nonpartisan)	50.1	257,453
		Amy Ferreira (Nonpartisan)	49.9	256,188

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	There were no incumbents in this race. The results have been certified. Source	Total votes: 513,641
= candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
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Nonpartisan primary election

The primary election was canceled. Nancy Bernstein and Amy Ferreira advanced from the primary for Las Vegas Township Justice Court Department 8.

Endorsements

Ballotpedia did not identify endorsements for Ferreira in this election.

Campaign themes

2024

Ballotpedia survey responses

See also: Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection

Amy Ferreira completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey in 2024. The survey questions appear in bold and are followed by Ferreira's responses. Candidates are asked three required questions for this survey, but they may answer additional optional questions as well.

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Who are you? Tell us about yourself.

I am currently a Hearing Master with Las Vegas Justice Court and I perform many of the duties of a Justice of the Peace. I was appointed as a Hearing Master in 2020 and I was named Las Vegas Justice Court Employee of the Year for 2022. Prior to my appointment I was a Chief Deputy District Attorney at the Clark County District Attorney's Office. I served in that capacity for 13 years. As a prosecutor I sought justice for some of the most vulnerable members of our community. I spent several years on the Special Victim's Unit wherein I prosecuted child sexual assault cases with victims ages 10 and younger. I founded the first ever Clark County District Attorney's Office Animal Cruelty Unit. I was twice nationally recognized for my work on behalf for animal victims. I finished my career as the Team Chief of the Domestic Violence Unit. I am incredibly passionate about the law and this community and I can best be of service as Justice of the Peace.

Please list below 3 key messages of your campaign. What are the main points you want voters to remember about your goals for your time in office?

• I am focused on community safety. I want Las Vegas to remain a safe and beautiful place for us to raise our families
• I believe the courts should work for the people that they serve, not against them. So often I hear community members express negative opinions of the judicial system and I hope to play a small part in changing that perception.
• My qualifications are unmatched. I have been serving as a judicial officer for 4 years. I have a strong legal knowledge, proper judicial temperament, and above all an unwavering dedication to justice.

What areas of public policy are you personally passionate about?

Community safety

Who do you look up to? Whose example would you like to follow, and why?

My paternal grandmother set me on the path to a legal career when I was just 4 years old. She was my caregiver when my parents were at work and each day she would have me watch the People's Court with her. Together we would discuss the cases, say who we thought should win and why, and then predict how Judge Wapner would rule. I decided that I wanted to be a judge at 4 and I believe I am about to achieve that goal.

What characteristics or principles are most important for an elected official?

Honesty, integrity, and fortitude

What qualities do you possess that you believe would make you a successful officeholder?

I have strong legal knowledge, proper judicial temperament, and above all an unwavering dedication to justice.

What do you believe are the core responsibilities for someone elected to this office?

To interpret and apply the law fairly under all circumstances.

What is the first historical event that happened in your lifetime that you remember? How old were you at the time?

On the morning of September 11, 2001, I was 20 years old and getting ready for a college Art History class. My roommate and I had the television on and we saw the first plane strike the tower of the world trade center. We thought it was a terrible accident. Shortly thereafter we saw the second plane hit. I remember saying to my roommate, "What are the odds that two planes would malfunction like that in the same place?" At that time the thought of a terrorist attack never crossed my mind. I was so blissfully naive. I remember my roommate looked at me with tears in her eyes and told me it wasn't an accident. My entire world changed.

What was your very first job? How long did you have it?

When I was in high school I taught ballet and tap to preschool children ages 3 and 4.

Are there any little-known powers or responsibilities held by this office that you believe more people should be aware of?

One lesser-known duty of a Justice of the Peace is the ability to officiate weddings!

Is there a particular judge, past or present, whom you admire?

Ruth Bader Ginsburg

Do you believe that empathy is an important quality for a judge?

Absolutely. However, legal decisions should never be based on empathy.

Why are you running for this particular court seat?

I believe Justice of the Peace is one of the most important positions in the county. Every criminal case begins in Justice Court. For many people, it is their first interaction with the court system, whether they are a defendant, victim, witness, first responder, etc. The experience that they have in Justice Court will shape their experience moving forward and their overall perception of the judicial system. If they encounter a judge who is fair, patient, polite, and considerate, they are more likely to want to participate in the system and believe in the legitimacy of the system.

What organizations or individuals have endorsed your campaign?

Police, Firefighters, Veterans, Prosecutors, District Attorney Investigators, Court Marshals.

Note: Ballotpedia reserves the right to edit Candidate Connection survey responses. Any edits made by Ballotpedia will be clearly marked with [brackets] for the public. If the candidate disagrees with an edit, he or she may request the full removal of the survey response from Ballotpedia.org. Ballotpedia does not edit or correct typographical errors unless the candidate's campaign requests it.

See also

2024 Elections

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Candidate

Las Vegas Township Justice Court Department 8

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Footnotes

Nevada courts

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Federal courts:

Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals • U.S. District Court: District of Nevada • U.S. Bankruptcy Court: District of Nevada

State courts:

Nevada Supreme Court • Nevada Court of Appeals • Nevada District Courts • Nevada Justice Courts • Nevada Municipal Courts • Clark County Family Court, Nevada

State resources:

Courts in Nevada • Nevada judicial elections • Judicial selection in Nevada