Nevada Supreme Court building
CARSON CITY, Nev. (Legal Newsline)-Nevada Supreme Court Chief Justice Ron Parraguirre has announced a security review for the Silver State's courthouses.
The chief justice's announcement follows a shooting this month in a Las Vegas federal courthouse that left a security officer dead and a deputy marshal injured.
"The incident in Las Vegas shows that we must be attentive, responsive, and prepared. Court's across the country, including those in Nevada, have experienced an increase in threats to judges in recent years. We can't and don't take those threats lightly," Parraguirre said.
Many of Nevada's courthouses are old and not equipped to deal with the security problems of today's technology. The Supreme Court has already provided metal detectors to rural courts in Wells and Jackpot due to security concerns.
Parraguirre said he will ask the U.S Marshal's Service to assist in the assessment of the courthouses throughout the state.
"We have seen what can occur and we need to be sure we can protect our judges, court staff, and citizens," Parraguirre said.
In 2009, legislation was passed which added a $20 filing fee in civil cases to provide monies for security improvements in courthouses.
"A Court Security Task Force was created several years ago to address the issue and we have made significant strides despite our fiscal limitations," the chief justice said.