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November 14, 2009

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Editorial: New court program may end long waits

Monday, Feb. 4, 2002 | 8:29 a.m.

The expression "justice delayed is justice denied" could be on the minds of car accident victims whose hospital bills are mounting while their days in court are years away. Most civil lawsuits involving car accidents that go to trial in Clark County are now heard two to three years after they are filed.

A new program will offer people involved in car accident lawsuits an option to cut those years to months. Anyone seeking less than $40,000 in damages qualifies for the Short Jury Trial program, which begins next month. Those seeking more than $40,000 can also qualify if both sides agree to participate in the program. There are some rules: Each side must split payment of a $1,500 fee for the extra cost of the quick jury trial, lawyers for each side must present their case within three hours once the trial starts, and both parties must agree that the jury's decision is final.

The Short Jury Trial program is not for all car accident victims but it's an option that court officials are betting hundreds will choose each year. If they're right, the Short Jury Trial program will help end the long waits for justice, which can be almost as aggravating as the accidents themselves.

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