One applies for Elko judgeship

Only one person has applied for a vacant seat in the Elko District Court.

Andrew Puccinelli, 49, an Elko lawyer, applied for the Department 2 seat which will become vacant when Jack B. Ames retires.

Even so, Supreme Court Chief Justice Bill Maupin said Puccinelli is being put through the same evaluation process normally used to fill a vacancy on the district court bench.

Normally, that process results in a list of three finalists for the governor to choose from.

Puccinelli has already completed the application process, which consists of 50 questions about everything from the applicants education and law practice to business and community involvement, conduct and health.

In addition, the judicial selection commission collects background information from various sources.

The commission then meets to discuss the qualifications before deciding whether to submit the name to the governor.