Editorial: Expand hours, not space

Sunday, July 15, 2007 | 2:31 a.m.

A major problem in the court system in Clark County - a rapidly growing caseload - was dealt with when the 2007 Legislature authorized six new judges.

But that legislation has created a new problem: Where will the county put the new District Court judges? Existing space is nearly taken, and the new judges are set to begin their duties in 2009.

While the state pays their salaries, the county is responsible for paying for the judges' office space and staff. Building more space for the judges - five of which will be assigned to the Family Court Division - would cost millions.

Current judges are discussing the problem and they have come up with two ideas: Place two Family Court judges on the recently renovated 10th floor of the Regional Justice Center, and spend up to $10 million to add one courtroom and subdivide another at the Family Court building at Pecos and Bonanza roads .

The ideas, which wouldn't solve the whole problem, illustrate how expensive it would be to provide new space.

But there's another idea, suggested by Clark County Commissioner Chris Giunchigliani. Why not expand the hours of the courts to cover nights and weekends? That way, existing courtrooms could be used by a second shift of judges.

Judges, attorneys and staff might argue that such hours would inconvenience them, but Giunchigliani had an answer. In a story last week by Las Vegas Sun reporter Tony Cook, she was quoted as saying that the public's convenience should be the primary consideration.

Cook also interviewed a spokesperson in Maricopa County, Ariz ., who said customer service was the reason courts there began holding night and weekend sessions.

Many people who have to appear for court cases, especially in Family Court, must sacrifice wages to attend proceedings during normal work hours.

We believe Giunchigliani's suggestion should be adopted. When a new court facility to complement the Regional Justice Center is eventually built, as it surely will need to be, perhaps then enough space can be available for each judge to once again have his own courtroom.

And by then, night and weekend court would likely have proven so popular that it would continue as a necessary public service.