Both district judges in on first day of filing

District Judge Michael Gibbons, 51, filed for re-election at the Douglas County Clerk's Office on Monday. If elected, this will be his third 6-year term serving the Ninth Judicial District Court in Minden.

"I enjoy the work, and I have a lot more to contribute," he said.

Gibbons said his major contributions over the years have been protecting victims' rights in criminal cases and streamlining lengthy, expensive civil cases.

"My campaign pledge was to ensure victims were treated equally in the system, and I've made that a high priority," he said. "I never forget who the victims are."

Gibbons said it's also important to him that children have a voice in family law matters.

In 1995, Gibbons helped establish the Court Appointed Special Advocate program, where volunteers are appointed to children in legal proceedings to help represent their interests.

"I have seen the number of family law matters increase," said Gibbons. "But that comes with an increase in the population."

Gibbons said he has seen some changes in the courtroom, including opening juvenile court proceedings to the public.

"It's discretionary," he said. "But I think it's important for the public to understand what's going on."

Gibbons said the majority of juveniles he has worked with have turned their lives around and have had their records expunged.

"The juvenile system is effective in rehabilitating," he said.

Gibbons said he is proud of his activities outside the courtroom, too. He's coached girls' soccer for seven years, and his team, Carson Valley Backdraft, held a perfect league record in 2005. He's a trustee for Sierra Crest Academy, a Tahoe-Douglas Rotarian and a member of St. Gall Catholic Church in Gardnerville.

Gibbons has three daughters, 24, 21 and 17.

"My oldest daughter has two kids and lives in Ruhenstroth," he said.

Gibbons moved to Carson Valley in 1980 and married his wife Barbara in 1983.

"When I moved here, I thought it was the most desirable spot to live, and I still feel strongly about that."

According to the Douglas County Clerk's Office, no one has registered to run against Gibbons. The base salary for a district judge is $130,000 a year.