FEATURE STORY

Jonathan MacArthur seems almost too human to be a politician. The Justice of the Peace candidate (North Las Vegas, Department 3) describes himself as a “beer-drinking, football-watching, backyard barbecuing kind of guy.” He laughs freely, he gets angry on occasion, and unlike most politicians, he might actually disagree with you in the course of a conversation. He’s even willing to support a controversial stance. “Ask me anything,” he says. “I’ll give an honest answer, whether it’ll help me get elected or not.”

For instance, as a supporter of the 4th Amendment protection against unreasonable searches and seizures, Jonathan would require police officers to adhere to regulations when conducting searches. Not all judges do.

Specifically, Jonathan cites a criminal case in which the arresting officers claimed that a defendant consented to being searched, but the defendant (along with a witness) claimed otherwise. By law, the dispute may turn on the defendant’s signature, or lack thereof, on a consent-to-search card. In this case, however, the officers didn’t use the card.

Even though the officers couldn’t provide a card, Jonathan says that some judges would allow the evidence to be heard. Jonathan, on the other hand, would suppress any evidence which he felt was gathered illegally. “I’m going to uphold the standards of the Constitution,” he says.

Taking a strong stance in favor of the 4th Amendment is risky. Political adversaries could label the stance “soft on crime.” Jonathan, on the other hand, feels that Constitutional protections actually reduce crime. He says that people have more respect for the community, and are less likely to commit crimes, if they feel that they have a vigilant and honest judiciary.

The judiciary helps to ensure stability, and stability is profitable—especially for Real Estate professionals. Jonathan says that crime is the most destabilizing factor on property values. Moreover, when people leave well-established communities because of crime, the communities are left with conditions that attract more criminals. Since crime attracts more crime, the judiciary’s job is to minimize criminal behavior by setting an example of respect for all citizens.

For Jonathan, the most rewarding judicial cases are those in which all parties walk away feeling like they had a fair hearing. For example, while serving as Judge Pro Tem, Jonathan presided over an eviction case in which a family took good care of the rental property but owed the landlord two months’ rent. The renters claimed that they could have the money in two weeks, but the landlord rolled his eyes.

Although the law would have allowed Jonathan to evict the family within a few days, he instead chose to broker a compromise. The family gave the property owner what money they had, and also forfeited the security deposit. In return, the owner let the family stay for two weeks. The landlord immediately received most of the money he was owed, and the family had enough time to find another place to live. At the end of the hearing, both the owner and the family were smiling.

Jonathan’s belief in fairness was solidified by an early experience in his adult life. At age 19, while studying political science at UNLV, Jonathan was arrested for the manufacture and sale of explosives—for making firecrackers in his garage.

The police performed an undercover, controlled buy at his house. Hiding in the bushes were a representative from the mayor’s office and some television reporters who would later harass Jonathan’s grandmother. His mug shot became the story of the night.

When Jonathan entered the legal system, his public defender advised him to plead guilty to a charge that could have been treated as a felony or a gross misdemeanor. Because he had political aspirations for the future, Jonathan refused. The courts didn’t explain the law, his rights, or his responsibilities to him, so he looked up the statute himself. Although the law prohibiting the manufacture and sale of explosives was designed to prevent people from making bombs, Jonathan felt that the law had been used beyond its scope, to prosecute a kid for making firecrackers.

Fortunately, Jonathan’s studiousness served him well. A law professor at UNLV, who was impressed with Jonathan and wanted him to continue his studies, called an attorney. The attorney handled Jonathan’s case pro bono.

As it turns out, Jonathan’s interactions with the undercover police were his saving grace. The officers tried to offer him $85 for a small sack of firecrackers, but Jonathan only accepted $15. Although proud of his wares, he wasn’t interested in profit. On tape, Jonathan sounded more like a nerd than a terrorist.

The judge finally settled the case, on the condition that Jonathan do well in school. “And I did,” Jonathan recalls. “I was so scared I made the Dean’s List.”

Although Jonathan had the connections, via his professor, to minimize his legal difficulties, he understands that justice is sometimes denied to the most vulnerable. “I’m a pretty bright guy,” he says. “If I was scared and confused, how bad would it be for someone who’s illiterate?”

Jonathan’s experience as a defendant drove him to become a defense attorney, and eventually—he hopes—a judge. He feels that he is a politically viable JOP candidate because he has lived in the Las Vegas Valley for 35 years, half of those in or near North Las Vegas. In addition, North Las Vegas has a cultural diversity and progressive climate that fits well with his stances on civil rights and equality. Moreover, Department 3 is a new department, created because of a population increase, so there is no entrenched incumbent.

Jonathan describes politics as a “bloodsport,” and he softens the ruthlessness by offering voters an honest choice. “If you agree with what I’m saying, then you should vote for me. If you don’t like what I have to say, then you should probably be voting for someone else.”

The August 12 primary will narrow the field from four candidates to two. The general election will be held on November 4, the day the nation chooses our next President.

Jonathan can be reached by calling (702) 868-2724, or e-mail
JonathanMacArthur4JOP@gmail.com. You can also visit his Web site at www.JonathanMacArthur.com.

Photography by: Elisabeth Libby