Washoe District Judge Remained Paid While Sidelined
Judge Connie Steinheimer continues to earn her full salary despite being prohibited from presiding over cases.
Updated on Oct. 7, 2026 in Law
Live Poll
Should public officials be paid their full salary while barred from hearing cases in your area?
Since February 2026, Washoe District Judge Connie Steinheimer has been barred from hearing cases or making legal decisions. She continues to collect her annual salary of $192,000 despite the administrative order.
Why it matters
The situation raises questions regarding judicial accountability as Judge Steinheimer prepares to start a new four-year term in January 2027. Despite the restrictions placed upon her, she remains unopposed in her bid for re-election.
Judge Connie Steinheimer receives a $192,000 annual salary while restricted from legal duties. She is set to begin a new four-year term in January 2027.
The players
Connie Steinheimer
She is a Washoe District judge who remains in office despite a February 2026 administrative order preventing her from hearing cases.
Egan Walker
He is the Chief Judge who issued the administrative order effectively barring Steinheimer from performing judicial duties.
Alicia Lerud
She serves as the District Court Administrator who confirmed that the restriction on Steinheimer is not a formal suspension.
The details
Chief Judge Egan Walker issued an administrative order in February prohibiting Steinheimer from presiding over matters in Reno. District Court Administrator Alicia Lerud clarified that this directive does not constitute a formal suspension, and the Commission on Judicial Discipline has reported no official action.
Timeline
February 2026: Judge Steinheimer was sidelined by an administrative order.
October 2026: Status of judge's salary and case status.
January 2027: Judge Steinheimer begins a new four-year term.
Political Context
Opponents of the current judicial process argue that the lack of transparency regarding Judge Steinheimer's status undermines the public trust established by the Nevada Commission on Judicial Discipline oversight standards. Critics emphasize that allowing an unvetted judge to begin a new term without public explanation contradicts expectations of accountability.
The situation impacts the local community by complicating the efficiency of the Reno judicial system while the judge remains on the bench despite her restricted duties. Residents may face further impacts in January 2027 when she officially begins a new term without having presided over cases for nearly a year.
The takeaway
Voters should be aware of the status of their elected officials when judicial positions appear on the ballot unopposed. Understanding administrative orders is crucial for residents to track how taxpayer funds are utilized within the court system.
Further reading
For more on local judicial governance, see Law.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Reno News.
Live Poll
Should public officials be paid their full salary while barred from hearing cases in your area?
