| The Las Vegas Justice of the Peace Department 3 | | | | Abbatangelo recently granted bail to an attempted |
| election is starting to heat up. The incumbent, Tony | | | | murder defendant. The $7500 bail amount was a |
| Abbatangelo, is trying to retain his seat while | | | | small fraction of the $100,000 bail amount that is |
| candidates Janiece Marshall and Lary Lamoreux are | | | | usually set for attempted murder suspects. The |
| vying for the Las Vegas Justice of the Peace | | | | defendant fled and critics are citing this as a mistake |
| position. Both challengers are making a big impact in | | | | by Abbatangelo from the bench. |
| the hotly contested election that has now seen Tony | | | | At the heart of the controversy surrounding the |
| Abbatangelo's track record called into question. | | | | defendant's bail jump is the fact that this defendant |
| Justices of the Peace are in place to prepare | | | | is represented by the same attorney that |
| procedural aspects of cases before they move onto | | | | represented Abbatangelo in his domestic violence |
| District Court. For example, they might set bail and | | | | case. Critics are pointing to this as another reason to |
| handle arraignments. In addition, Justices also preside | | | | not reelect Abbatangelo. |
| over small claims civil cases and misdemeanor cases. | | | | While the election challengers are trying to upset the |
| In 2009, Tony Abbatangelo was involved in an | | | | Justice of the Peace incumbent, Abbatangelo can |
| incident which is now affecting the election. He | | | | point to his high ratings and 17 year career on the |
| pleaded no contest to one count of misdemeanor | | | | bench as strong selling points. In addition, |
| battery domestic violence. As a result, he was forced | | | | Abbatangelo has raised far more money for his |
| to attend domestic violence counseling and perform | | | | campaign than his challengers. One thing is for sure, |
| community service for six months. | | | | the Las Vegas Justice of the Peace Department 3 |
| As part of his Justice of the Peace duties, | | | | election will be closely watched. |