The Latest Development
The Nevada State Bar is asking for a do-over. They want another chance to strip Clark County Commissioner Justin Jones of his law license. In March, a hearing panel voted to only reprimand Jones instead of revoking or suspending his license. Now the state bar says that wasn’t good enough.
State bar counsel Dan Hooge filed a motion in April claiming Jones’ attorney made “improper closing arguments” that prejudiced the hearing. They’re essentially saying Jones’ lawyer pulled a fast one on the volunteer panel that decided his fate.
This is the kind of story that should make every conservative who believes in limited government sit up and take notice. When our elected officials face serious questions about destroying evidence, we need real accountability. Not just a slap on the wrist.
Why This Matters to Conservative Voters
Jones represents District F in Clark County. That includes areas like Spring Valley and land near Red Rock Canyon. He’s been in office since 2019 and just barely held onto his seat in 2022. Jones won re-election by only 336 votes against Republican Drew Johnson. In politics, that’s about as close as you can get without a recount.
Clark County’s commission was all-Democrat from 2009 until January 2025. That’s when Republican attorney April Becker was sworn in as the first GOP commissioner in 16 years. When one party controls everything for that long, accountability tends to go out the window. Jones might be exhibit A of this problem.
What Jones Is Accused Of
The state bar originally wanted to disbar Jones for deleting text messages related to a controversial real estate development project near Red Rock Canyon. The developer, Gypsum Resources, wanted to build homes on a site overlooking one of Nevada’s most beautiful natural areas.
A third-party computer expert found that all of Jones’ text messages leading up to an April 2019 vote were gone and unrecoverable. The earliest message on his device was from roughly six hours after the commission voted to deny the developer’s request.
Think about that timing. Every message before the vote disappeared. The first remaining message came after the meeting ended. That’s not an accident.
Jones used to work as a lawyer for Save Red Rock, the environmental group fighting this housing project. Then he ran for county commissioner while that group was in court against the county. After getting elected, he voted against the project.
The state bar also looked into whether Jones bribed then-County Commissioner Steve Sisolak, who later became governor. The hearing panel rejected that claim outright.
The Legal Drama Unfolds
Here’s where it gets interesting from a conservative perspective. One of the three volunteer panelists, attorney Rachel Wise, signed a declaration saying the panel’s deliberations were:
“influenced by Respondent’s counsel’s improper tactics, including name-calling, crying, and golden rule violations”.
Wise wrote that the one member of the public on the panel “voted emotionally” and that Jones’ attorney’s conduct “prejudiced the panel’s ability to render a fair and impartial decision”.
The state bar says Jones’ attorney, former judge Rob Bare, spoke for four hours during closing arguments, which they claim was “improper”. They’re arguing that emotional manipulation replaced legal facts.
Wise even said the hearing gave her a “two-day migraine” and that Bare “screamed” at the state bar’s expert witness.
The Defense Fights Back
Bare didn’t back down. He called the state bar’s motion “litigator’s remorse” and said it operates “in an alternate universe”. His argument is basically that the state bar is a sore loser.
Bare wrote that he was:
“defending two different bar complaints combined into one, which alleged various serious charges against Mr. Jones, including that he had committed a felony criminal act”.
He says his aggressive defense was necessary because Jones faced losing his law license permanently.
What Critics Are Saying
The state bar argues this case is about more than one politician’s troubles. When lawyers destroy evidence, it undermines our entire legal system. They have a professional duty to preserve documents, especially when they know litigation is coming.
Environmental groups generally support Jones. They see him as a champion for protecting Red Rock Canyon from overdevelopment. They argue that developers are using legal tricks to force through projects that would damage Nevada’s natural beauty.
The developer tells a different story. Gypsum Resources filed for bankruptcy and is suing the county for $2 billion. They claim the government basically stole their land by blocking development through political manipulation rather than following proper legal procedures.
The Political Stakes
This legal battle could reshape Clark County politics. Jones’ district covers some of the most valuable and contested land in Nevada. It includes growing suburban areas and prime real estate near Red Rock Canyon.
Jones’ current term ends on January 4, 2027, which means the next election would be in 2026. So far, no candidates have announced they’re running against him. But with Becker’s victory showing that Republicans can win countywide again, and if Jones loses his law license or faces more legal troubles, that could change quickly.
What Happens Next
This case is currently under automatic review by the Supreme Court of Nevada, with briefs due on June 19. The high court will decide whether Jones gets a new disciplinary hearing.
If the state bar wins their appeal, Jones could face another panel of volunteers deciding his legal fate. This time, the proceedings might be more strictly controlled to prevent the emotional tactics that allegedly swayed the first panel.
Even if Jones keeps his law license, the political damage is real. Voters in District F will have this controversy fresh in their minds when his seat comes up again in 2026.
The state bar’s request for another hearing shows they’re serious about professional accountability. In a system of limited government, no one should be above the law. Not even elected officials who think they can make evidence disappear when it becomes inconvenient.
This article was written with the assistance of AI. Please verify information and consult additional sources as needed.
