Nevada Supreme Court set to accept 60,000th case

CARSON CITY — With the state’s growth and a corresponding increase in court appeals, the Nevada Supreme Court soon with accept its 60,000th case.

More than 59,700 cases have been filed with the Supreme Court since statehood in 1864, and the 60,000th should come in early 2012, a court official said Wednesday.

It took 112 years for the first 10,000 cases to be filed but 30 years for the next 40,000 to be filed with the Supreme Court.

And it will take 4½ years for the latest 10,000 filings.

“It’s a dubious achievement because it simply emphasizes how the court’s workload continues to grow,” said Tracie Lindeman, the Supreme Court clerk.

Chief Justice Nancy Saitta said the cases handled by the court are becoming more complex and require more time of the justices.

“Despite the increasing demands, the justices and staff are committed to keeping the quality of the court’s work at a top level,” she said.

Nevada is one of 11 states without an intermediate appeals court that could reduce the Supreme Court caseload by handling some appeals.

A proposed constitutional amendment to allow an appeals court, which would operate between the District Court and the Supreme Court, was defeated by voters on a 47 percent for, 53 percent against vote in November.

But justices are working with the Legislature to try to put the question back on the ballot in November 2014.

Contact Capital Bureau Chief Ed Vogel at evogel@reviewjournal.com or 775-687-3901.