LV city officials leaning against court consolidation

Bill Gang

Friday, Jan. 28, 2000 | 11:24 a.m.

Just days ago, it seemed certain that the Las Vegas Municipal Court and Clark County Justice Court systems would soon move toward consolidation.

But city officials have suddenly rejected the concept, despite support from judges in both systems.

Consolidation, supporters say, would increase efficiency, provide cost savings and render consistent judgments. The goal was advocated in 1994 by the Nevada Supreme Court's Urban Workload Assessment Commission -- the so-called Rose Commission.

Last week representatives of both court systems and governmental entities agreed to study merger of the two systems that have similar functions but different jurisdictions. Documents were exchanged among judges that seemed enthusiastic toward the idea.

At its regular meeting Wednesday, the Las Vegas City Council will consider a yearlong study of the issue. While previously it was expected that the study would be approved, now approval is doubtful. City officials have suddenly chilled to the idea and are leaning toward a "technological" consolidation, which would simply mean a sharing of equipment while not relinquishing the Municipal Court system.

Total consolidation likely would result in abolishment of Municipal Court, which handles misdemeanor and traffic cases, and the merging of those cases into a Justice Court system that would be expanded with the addition of the former Municipal Court judges.

Justice Court also handles misdemeanors and traffic matters for unincorporated areas but also deals with felony cases through the preliminary hearing stage, minor civil matters, small claims and evictions.

Municipal Court Administrator Michael Havemann said the breaking point for the city involved the handling under a consolidated court of "vagrants, prostitutes, nuisances and annoyances" that have long been a problem in the downtown area.

"The City Council wants the courts to take action," Havemann said. "But in Justice Courts, misdemeanors are the lowest priorities."

He said the Justice Court attitude toward those minor offenders is to "fine them and forget them and hope they don't get into trouble again."

The city courts, by contrast, take a more aggressive posture in ensuring that the problem people are not a continuing problem, Havemann indicated.

Justice Court Administrator Steve Morris said justices of the peace would dispute the city's contention that they are easy on misdemeanor cases.

Morris expressed frustration that the effort of the court systems and governmental representatives to forge the year-long study appears to have been short circuited by the City Council.

City Councilman Gary Reese has long opposed the effort to consolidate the courts, in part, he said, because he sees no evidence that the move will save money.

He also, however, enjoys having Municipal Court under his authority.

"I want something that the city has, where I can call someone and work with them," Reese said today. "When I have a drug dealer arrested, I want him charged through Municipal Court because then I know what's going on with the case in my particular ward."

While total consolidation may be off the table, there is a tacit agreement between the court systems to study the possibility of sharing technology -- particularly a combined computer system that would allow broader access and better service for customers.

"I am excited about the prospects of combining technology between the Justice and Municipal courts," said Justice of the Peace Debbie Lippis.

Morris said Justice Court has been in need of a new computer system but has been waiting to see if a joint system could be arranged. He pointed out that Justice Court and Municipal Court are both going to be housed in the new Regional Justice Center being constructed downtown.

That building also will hold the District Courts and the Nevada Supreme Court's southern office and courtroom.

Whether total consolidation of the Justice and Municipal courts will ever be achieved is still unclear.

"There are many people who believe consolidation of lower courts is very worthwhile," Lippis said. "The national trend is pro-consolidation.

"But it is a project that requires careful study and small steps forward." Sun reporter

Erin Neff contributed to this story.