Las Vegas Justice Court Wants More Judges, Do They

Eventhough, "[i]t could be a $5 million to $6 million hit for the county, and we can’t afford that right now,” according to County Commissioner Chris Giunchigliani, the Las Vegas Justice Court is seeking to add two (2) more judges in January 2011.

Of course like everyone else in Nevada, Clark County is hitting a shortage on their budget. So where will they find money to pay for more judges? More importantly, in this economic climate, I want to know the name of the judge or administrator that has the 'guts' to ask for more judicial positions. I want accountability. Of course, I know that Chief Judge of LV JP's Ann Zimmerman made the request, but come on, can't you wait just a bit.

Zimmerman said the Court is required to have a ratio of one Judge for every 100,000 residents in the jurisdiction. The 2008 population estimate for the Las Vegas Justice Court’s jurisdiction was just shy of 1.4 million. That total calls for 14 justices of the peace. The court has 12. (via LVSun). My guess is that after the census, the numbers will have been reduced and so the Judge wants to get it while the getting is good. The accurate info coming out next year my stop them. Most of us have tracked the decrease in the Clark County population decrease. SOOOOO, just stop it. Can we interject some common sense into this process?

The point to consider, if the ratio decreases, will the judges be fired. The Clark County School District has proven that when they project more students than had attended this year and they were effectively given 'too much money', they didn't give it back. I don't expect the judges to 'give it back' when the full effect of the economic contraction will be felt.

I'm ticked off because we are either wasting resources stopping this action or wasting resources allowing the expansion. We don't need more judges, we need more judges working full days, right Hon. Zimmerman? Judges are already making 'outstanding' pay, roughly $150,000/yr (that's my recollection, but I think it just went up to $180,000). Are you telling me they can't just pick up the slack. How about night court, with each judge taking a night, added responsibility, with no pay increase. Come on, get creative. That's how rest of us are surviving in this type of an economic climate. Rationale people don't buy stuff they don't ABSOLUTELY NEED.

If you think this is a small amount, factor the cost of the staff, the building, the administration, etc. that must exist for one judicial seat, now multiply that by two. $5-6 million is likely accurate. I like what Commission Giunchigliani said to the LV Sun, “We need to get a better handle on how we deliver justice.” Yeah you do!!!!!

Zimmerman claims that there is a backlog that can only be cured by more judges. Well, there is ALWAYS a backlog in Court. This can be cured with a little creativity: later court hours, more judges showing up to work and 'night court' like every other major city in the country. It should be required for salaried employee. It will be a lot cheaper than adding a judicial seat. (Source: LV Sun).
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