Biography

Jonathan MacArthur has been a dedicated criminal trial lawyer since September of 2000. As evidenced by past experiences, his drive has long been the goal of assisting the underrepresented in achieving and accepting justice. From his service as a public defender, to his appointment as judge pro tem, he has steadily built a career on his belief that everyone deserves an impartial trial before an unbiased judicial system.

June 2007: North Las Vegas Justice Court—Judge Pro Tempore

Jonathan was appointed by the Clark County Commissioners to serve as judge pro tem for elected justices of the peace in Clark County (but outside of the Regional Justice Center) who are temporarily unavailable to conduct their daily calendars (due to vacation time, etc.). He approved and signed judicial orders, warrants, and petitions necessary for the orderly administration of court business. The feedback and reviews he received from bailiffs, clerks and court reporters was very favorable.

March 2006—December 2006: Las Vegas Municipal Court—Alternate Municipal Court Judge

Jonathan was appointed by Mayor Oscar Goodman to serve as judge pro tem for elected judges who are temporarily unavailable to conduct their daily calendars. He conducted arraignments, pre-trials, trials, and sentencing hearings for various misdemeanor offenses, and approved and signed judicial orders/warrants as necessary for the orderly administration of court business.

April 2001—Present: Jonathan E. MacArthur, P.C.—Senior Attorney

Jonathan’s firm has provided private legal representation to actual and potential criminal defendants from initial investigation/interrogation through the pre-trial/dismissal, trial, and post-trial processes, up to and including appeal/parole review. He chaired thirty-one felony trials, eleven of which presented charges carrying potential sentences of life in prison.

September 2000—April 2001: Clark County Office of the Public Defender—Attorney

Jonathan represented indigent criminal defendants from arraignment to sentencing/dismissal. He made daily court appearances to argue motions, enter pleas, examine/cross-examine witnesses, and negotiate case dispositions. He also had frequent contact with clients both in and out of custody, conducted trials, preliminary hearings, motion hearings, and investigations.

October 1999—September 2000: Clark County District Court, Departments XI and VIII—Law Clerk

In service to the Honorable Judges Michael Douglas and Lee Gates, Jonathan prepared files on the judge’s calendar for trial, briefed all motions submitted to the court for its consideration and issued recommendations on the disposition of those motions. He also researched any statutory law necessary for the judge’s clear understanding of relevant issues.

• Jonathan attended the University of Nevada, Las Vegas and obtained his Bachelor of Arts in Economics and Political Science in June of 1996. While at UNLV, he received the Lily Fong Chinese Language Scholarship and participated in tutoring for the disabled.
• He attended Washington and Lee University School of Law in Lexington, Virginia, and obtained his Juris Doctorate in May of 1999. While at the University, he was a case note writer for Race & Ethnic Ancestry Law Journal, as well as a mock trial semifinalist in 1998.
• Jonathan passed the Nevada State Bar Examination on October 12, 1999.
• He is a veteran of the U.S. Armed Services, serving during Desert Shield/Desert Storm.
• He was a member of the Committee Advising Clark County Commissioners on Modifications to Coroner’s Inquest Process in 2007.