Security lines
The lines to enter the Regional Justice Center are so long they make the public appreciate airport security screenings.
On some mornings, the wait to conduct court business is more than an hour. It’s normal to see literally thousands of people lining up outside and around the courthouse to appear before judges or obtain public records. The lines are so long, numerous defendants are missing their court appearances. Even attorneys, who have their own line to enter the building for the sake of the efficiency, have been caught up in the delays because of a lack of security scanners.
On Monday, at the noontime lunch hour, there was still a 10-minute wait outside the building.
Court officials blame the delays on recent marshal retirements and scanner malfunctions. But these problems have been known for many months. It was all the way back in September that county commissioners approved a plan to shorten courthouse lines, borrowing scanners from the Nevada Supreme Court and adding marshal positions to staff them. Chief District Judge Jennifer Togliatti says the building entrance might be reconfigured.
“We appreciate everyone’s patience while we work through the issues to keep the courthouse secure and accessible,” Judge Togliatti said.
While the courthouse lines remain long, the public’s patience is short. This has been a recurring problem at a building intended to serve as a hub of justice for a major metropolitan area. It shouldn’t take six months to a year to figure it out. Fix it.
