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When the pandemic hit, thanks to the ongoing drive to update technology and improve efficiency, the District Court was well positioned to keep operating (with a huge amount of work from court IT). Hearings have been conducted remotely on a massive scale. It is a shift that was once unthinkable, yet now likely to endure in part past the pandemic. Criminal trials are live-streamed from courtrooms that have coronavirus safety measures in place.
Over the years, courts have generated a tremendous amount of filings and paperwork. Electronic filing became mandatory on February 1, 2010 in the Eighth Judicial District Court of Nevada. It was a huge undertaking that resulted in significant improvements to court efficiency. A tremendous amount of paper and printing has since been spared, due to the conversion. The need for travel to and from the courthouse was also cut drastically. The conversion improved convenience and timeliness. It opened space at the courthouse. During the initial conversion, more than 30 million pages of legal documents were scanned and converted to electronic files, which made way for eight new courtrooms due to paper storage elimination. It also provided environmental benefits including: less paper and reduced greenhouse gases.
Since that time, the court has forged ahead in a digital direction. The ability to issue summonses, defaults, writs and warrants electronically enabled the court to perform these essential functions during the pandemic.
Guide and File, an online portal is being accessed increasingly to guide self-represented litigants online through the filing process with a tailored menu of questions through automated court forms. This system can be accessed via the Self-Help Center websites http://www.clarkcountycourts.us/self-help-centers/ and kiosks at Legal Aid Self Help Centers at the Regional Justice Center and Family Court. Completed forms are ready to be filed into the court case management systems. It has proven to be invaluable for users during the pandemic. Development is underway to enable users to e-file from any computer with adequate Internet capabilities.
There are currently 26 Guide and File interview options including:
- CHILD CUSTODY: Answer & Counterclaim (Clark County)
- CHILD CUSTODY: Complaint (Clark County)
- COLLECTION: Writs, Notice, and Instructions (Clark County)
- CREMATION: Probate Petition for Cremation (Clark County)
- DISBURSE MONEY: Petition to Disburse from Minor’s Account (Clark County)
- DIVORCE: Answer & Counterclaim (Clark County)
- DIVORCE: Complaint (Clark County)
- DIVORCE: Joint Petition (Clark County)
- FAMILY CASES: Motion for Temporary Orders (Clark County)
- FAMILY CASES: Motion to Modify Child Custody, Visitation, and Child Support (Clark County)
- FEE WAIVER: Application (Clark County)
- GUARDIANSHIP: Adult Guardianship Petition (Clark County)
- LANDLORD/TENANT: Complaint for Illegal Lockout or Loss of Essential Services
- MEDICAL RECORDS: Probate Petition for Medical Records (Clark County)
- NAME CHANGE: Adult Name Change (Clark County)
- SAFE DEPOSIT BOX: Probate Petition to Open Safe Deposit Box (Clark County)
- SMALL CLAIMS: Complaint (Clark County)
- SMALL CLAIMS: Counterclaim (Clark County)
- SPECIAL ADMINISTRATION: Probate Petition for Special Letters (Clark County)
- SUMMARY EVICTION: Tenant’s Answer (Clark County)
- SUMMARY EVICTION: Tenant’s Proof of Service
- TRANSFER & AFFIDAVIT: Probate Petition for Transfer of Property & Affidavit of Entitlement (Clark County)
- UNEMPLOYMENT JUDICIAL REVIEW: Step 1 – Which interview should I do? (Clark County)
- UNEMPLOYMENT JUDICIAL REVIEW: Step 2 – Petition for Judicial Review (Clark County)
- UNEMPLOYMENT JUDICIAL REVIEW: Step 3 – Opening Brief (Clark County)
- UNEMPLOYMENT JUDICIAL REVIEW: Step 4 – Reply Brief (Clark County)
The pandemic has taken a harsh toll, but it also revealed resilience and commitment to move forward.
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