Lawmakers vote to erase fees for court orders against stalkers

Siobhan McDonough

Wednesday, Feb. 21, 2001 | 5:29 a.m.

CARSON CITY - The Assembly Judiciary Committee voted Wednesday to block lower courts in Nevada from collecting fees from people who seek temporary restraining orders against stalkers.

Assemblywoman Ellen Koivisto, D-Las Vegas, told the committee her bill was in response to complaints about justices of the peace in Las Vegas who imposed fees of about $30 for temporary protective orders.

"In the first month after the fee was imposed, there was a dramatic decrease in the number of requests for temporary protective orders," Koivisto said.

"Women, in particular, who are seeking protective orders are trying to get out of a situation that could be life-threatening and don't have time to grab their purse," she said. "I heard of cases where women needed protection but they were unable to pay for a protective order."

While most Nevada courts don't charge for restraining orders, the fees are authorized under the state's civil laws.

A person seeking a restraining order wouldn't be hit with a fee under AB82, but the bill would give judges the option of collecting the money later from alleged stalkers.

"They shouldn't be charging a fee for protection from a crime," said North Las Vegas Justice of the Peace Stephen Dahl. "The first question we shouldn't be asking people is, 'Do you have any money?"'

Deputy Attorney General Nancy Hart added that the fee might damage the state's ability to get federal funding for programs aimed at stopping violence against women.

Assemblyman Joe Dini, D-Yerington, also favored the bill, saying, "It's a good idea - anything we can do to curb stalking. It's a very serious thing. We're getting better laws to deal with it."

The bill next goes to the full Assembly for a floor vote.

There are 33 people in Nevada prisons for aggravated stalking, according to the Department of Prisons.