Soonhee "Sunny" Bailey
NV · Eighth Judicial District Court Family Division Judge, Department I
Sunny Bailey has been a Clark County family court judge since 2021. She was a prosecutor in Washington state, a Las Vegas public defender and a civil trial lawyer, and served as a pro tem judge.
Where Soonhee "Sunny" Bailey stands, based on their records
Supports
Criminal Justice and Civil Liberties (1 record)
Track record
Track record — Criminal Justice and Civil Liberties
Criminal Justice and Civil Liberties · 1 support
Started a special juvenile court with Family Court Judge William Voy for young people with autism, called the Detention Alternative for Autistic Youth (DAAY) Court. It connects them with treatment instead of detention.
June 28, 2018Supports Criminal Justice and Civil Liberties
Source: reviewjournal.com
Track record — General
General · 15 records
Received the Las Vegas Police Protective Association's endorsement for Family Court Department I in 2020.
October 3, 2026
Source: lvppapac.com
The Nevada Court of Appeals refused to overturn her ruling keeping children out of their aunt's care. She had found the aunt abused them.
September 30, 2026
Source: acis-api.nvcourts.gov
The Nevada Supreme Court upheld her order ending a mother's parental rights and her refusal to set it aside. It found the children were thriving with their grandmother.
August 14, 2025
Source: acis-api.nvcourts.gov
Helped create a second treatment court, NEAT Court, for youth with fetal alcohol disorders and similar brain conditions.
August 8, 2025
Source: reviewjournal.com
Accepted a proclamation from Las Vegas Mayor Shelley Berkley honoring her autism diversion court, DAAY Court.
April 25, 2025
Source: clarkcountycourts.us
Wrote to Nevada's Interim Finance Committee to support state funding for a new court program. The program tests and treats youth with suspected fetal alcohol disorders or autism.
December 11, 2024
Source: leg.state.nv.us
Testified to a Nevada Senate committee for Senate Bill 411. The bill let juvenile courts statewide set up treatment programs for youth with autism.
April 13, 2023
Source: archive.leg.state.nv.us
The Nevada Court of Appeals upheld her ruling in Jahed v. Abraham. She ruled that a woman wed in a religious ceremony without a marriage license could not claim a spouse's rights.
February 15, 2023
Source: acis-api.nvcourts.gov
The Nevada Court of Appeals upheld her order giving a father primary physical custody in Hall v. Martin. She had found the mother committed domestic violence against him.
September 22, 2022
Source: acis-api.nvcourts.gov
The Nevada Supreme Court upheld her order ending a mother's parental rights. It found the record showed the child was thriving with his father and stepmother.
August 11, 2022
Source: acis-api.nvcourts.gov
The Nevada Court of Appeals upheld her order giving a father joint custody in Kurz v. Anthony. It agreed she properly kept out a hearsay letter about alleged abuse.
March 23, 2022
Source: acis-api.nvcourts.gov
The Nevada Court of Appeals upheld her custody order in Whittle v. Morris. She gave the mother primary physical custody after reviewing each best-interest factor in a 33-page order.
February 11, 2022
Source: acis-api.nvcourts.gov
Took office as Clark County Family Court judge for Department I after winning the November 2020 election.
January 4, 2021
Source: nvbar.org
Received the Las Vegas Sun's 2020 recommendation for Family Court Department I. The paper recommended both her and her opponent, Michelle Tobler.
October 7, 2020
Source: lasvegassun.com
Received the Las Vegas Review-Journal's endorsement in the 2020 primary for Family Court Department I.
May 13, 2020
Source: reviewjournal.com
Track record — Legal Competence
Legal Competence · 3 unfavorable
The Nevada Court of Appeals reversed part of her divorce decree in Mamone v. Mamone. It found she miscalculated the couple's shared interest in the husband's construction company and upheld her other property rulings.
May 18, 2023Unfavorable on Legal Competence
Source: acis-api.nvcourts.gov
The Nevada Court of Appeals reversed her denial of a mother's request to change custody in Ocasio v. Wirsz. It said she should have held an evidentiary hearing on the mother's new claims.
October 20, 2022Unfavorable on Legal Competence
Source: acis-api.nvcourts.gov
The Nevada Court of Appeals upheld her custody ruling in the Williams divorce. It threw out her alimony decision because the bank records did not support her income finding.
August 19, 2022Unfavorable on Legal Competence
Source: acis-api.nvcourts.gov
Past race Soonhee "Sunny" Bailey ran in:
- District Court Judge, Family Division, Department I · November 3, 2026 · Clark County, Nevada · incumbent