Per an act of the Nevada State Legislature, approved March 16, 1911, relative to the incorporation of the city of Las Vegas, the first Municipal Court judge was appointed by the Las Vegas City Commission on June 22, 1911. A single Municipal Court judge presided until 1969 when the City Commission appointed an additional judge for Department 2. In 1975, by ordinance, Department 3 was established with Department 4 being added in 1977. To further serve our growing community, the City Council created Departments 5 and 6 in 1989 and 1991 respectively.
The citizens elect the judges at large by department number. Each judge presides over his or her respective department. In 2001, the Nevada State Legislature increased the judicial terms from four to six years.

The qualifications for Municipal Court judge are:

• Shall devote full time to the duties of his or her office.
• Duly licensed member in good standing of the State Bar of Nevada.
• Never have been removed or retired from any judicial office by the Commission on Judicial Discipline.
• Qualified elector who has resided within the city for a period of not less than 30 days immediately before the last day for filing a declaration for candidacy.
• Voted upon by the registered voters of the city at large.

The Municipal Court of the city of Las Vegas became a Court of Record on December 1, 1995.
 
 Alternate Judges
 The mayor of the city of Las Vegas appoints alternate judges in sufficient numbers yearly. An alternate court judge:

• Must be a duly licensed member in good standing of the State Bar of Nevada.
• Never have been removed or retired from any judicial office by the Commission on Judicial Discipline.
• Must be a resident of the city.
• Has all the powers and jurisdiction of a municipal judge while he is acting as such.