Douglas County mourns East Fork Justice of the Peace Jones

East Fork Justice of the Peace Cassandra Jones was hearing cases on the bench as recently as June 28.

On Wednesday, she succumbed to the cancer she’d been fighting for most of the last two years.

"Judge Jones was a model judge, always patient, dignified and courteous,” Tahoe Township Justice of the Peace Richard Glasson said on Thursday. “She was committed to her family, her community, her church and her court. Cassandra was a clear thinker with a strong background in court processes and procedures. She truly cared for her community and was a conservator of the peace for Carson Valley. She would always answer my calls for assistance. I will miss her advice and insight. Douglas County has lost a champion for justice"

Douglas County will lower flags to half staff on Friday at its public facilities in recognition of Jones’ service.

“Douglas County is heartbroken over the passing of Judge Jones,” Commission Chairman Mark Gardner said on Thursday. “Jones holds the distinction of serving as the first female judge in Douglas County. She dedicated her life to public service and the residents of her community and received many awards over the course of her career in recognition of her efforts. She was an advocate for the most vulnerable members of our population and served in a variety of capacities over the course of her career.”

She also served as a member of the board for Austin’s House since 2014, and the Community Foundation of Douglas County since 2018.

“We send our sincere condolences and prayers to her family and the East Fork Justice Court team members during this very difficult time,” Gardner said.

Jones previously served as chairwoman of the Gardnerville Town Board after being elected to the board in 2014. An 18-year resident of Gardnerville, she spent six years as a staff attorney for Douglas County District Judge Michael Gibbons.

After she left the district court she began managing the firm of Heritage Law.

She wrote the senior law column for The Record-Courier from 2011 until 2018 when she was elected to the bench.

A native Nevadan, she married her high school sweetheart Evan in 1999. She graduated with a law degree from Arizona State University in 2002 and then at the Nevada State Legislature in 2003.

She is survived by her husband and two children.