Incline Village justice judge outlines access, diversion and local services

Judge Melissa Manjarasena, who took the bench in January 2025, told the Washoe County Board on Feb. 10 that the Incline Village Justice Court is a ‘‘small but mighty’’ local court delivering civil and criminal services, onsite drug and alcohol testing, protection-order hearings and landlord–tenant matters. The court handles small-claims cases (up to $10,000) and civil matters up to $15,000 and offers preliminary hearings that can bind cases over to district court.

Manjarasena said the court has increased interpretation services, added a security officer, installed air conditioning, and implemented mandatory small-claims mediation. She described a pre-prosecution diversion program for nonviolent first-time offenders intended to reduce criminal justice contact and recidivism, and she said the court is working with community partners to expand remote and in-person services.

The judge also challenged common assumptions about life “up the hill,” noting a substantial service population and housing instability: “65% of our elementary school students are on free or reduced lunches,” she said, and many residents rely on service jobs and struggle with transportation in winter months. Manjarasena said having a local court reduces travel burdens and allows defendants and stakeholders to access testing and services without making lengthy trips to Reno.

Commissioners thanked the judge and discussed connecting court needs with county housing and transportation programs, including a county-funded Placemate program and microtransit pilot in Incline. Manjarasena offered to coordinate with legal services providers and local stakeholders on landlord–tenant education and other access initiatives.