WHEREAS, on January 31, 2026, Chief Judge Kevin Higgins is retiring from Sparks Justice Court after providing loyal, diligent, and exceptional public service to the State of Nevada and Washoe County for nearly 39 years; and

WHEREAS, Judge Higgins began his long and prominent public service career at the Nevada Attorney General's Office in 1987 serving until 2003. As Chief Deputy Attorney General he supervised the Reno Office from 1998-2003. During his tenure, Judge Higgins tried cases in almost every District Court across the State ranging from DUI to murder. Judge Higgins also appeared countless times in federal court and appeared as co-counsel for the State of Nevada before the United States Supreme Court; and

WHEREAS, Judge Higgins was directly responsible for the creation of the Nevada High Technology Crime Task Force. In addition, he drafted and worked for the passage of numerous laws in Nevada criminalizing the use of computers to lure children, anti-spam legislation, and various forms of online theft and fraud. Judge Higgins was responsible for the education of prosecutors and educators statewide on the application of the Fourth Amendment to computer crimes; and

WHEREAS, in 2003, Judge Higgins was honored to be appointed to fill the judicial vacancy at Sparks Justice Court where he was retained in 2004 and re-elected in 2010, 2016 and 2022. As a Justice of the Peace in Sparks Justice Court, Judge Higgins fairly and justly handled over 7,000 cases a year, including preliminary hearings for felonies and gross misdemeanors, and trials on misdemeanors, citations, small claims, and civil cases. For the past nine years Judge Higgins has served as Chief Judge; and

WHEREAS, Judge Higgins has actively served the Nevada judicial community by teaching a class on Nevada Supreme Court criminal opinions to District Court Judges each year since 1992 and presenting on varied topics to lower court judges since 2003. He served as President of the Nevada Judges of Limited Jurisdiction (NJLJ), was recognized as the NJLJ Judge of the Year in 2011 and received the Lifetime Achievement Award in 2025. Judge Higgins has also served on several Supreme Court Commissions; and

WHEREAS, Judge Higgins is a native of Sparks who chose to live in and serve his local community with his wife Tamara, a nationally recognized first grade teacher, while raising their children, Molly, Ian and Trevor. Judge Higgins also volunteered for his local community with organizations such as the Washoe County Law Library Board and the Boy Scouts of America; and

WHEREAS, Judge Higgins displayed exceptional dedication throughout his years of service to the State of Nevada and Washoe County making him a valuable civil servant and advocate for the citizens of the State. Through his service to his fellow citizens, Judge Higgins can leave his position with dignity knowing that he has made a difference in our community while delivering justice equally and fairly to all who appeared before him;

NOW, THEREFORE, I, JOE LOMBARDO, GOVERNOR OF THE STATE OF NEVADA, do hereby proclaim January 31, 2026, as a day in honor of

CHIEF JUDGE KEVIN HIGGINS