In a state where sunshine laws aim to ensure transparency, many Nevadans remain unaware of critical court proceedings. The Nevada Open Government Coalition (NOGC) has highlighted that transparency is lacking in the judicial system.
Many Nevada courts continue to use outdated practices that hinder public access to legal documents. A new survey commissioned by NOGC reveals that few Nevada courts make documents freely accessible online. This survey underscores the challenges faced by journalists, researchers, and the public in accessing court filings across the state’s district courts. Addressing these issues is essential for ensuring transparency and accountability in the state's legal proceedings.
The report reveals a judicial system not keeping pace with 21st-century expectations. Journalist Daniel Rothberg conducted research across all 17 district courts to understand the obstacles faced when accessing court documents. Accessing documents often requires cumbersome methods such as in-person visits or phone requests. As the state grapples with these challenges, the need for reform is evident.
“This report is a wakeup call that the state’s courts are not uniformly in the 21st century,” NOGC President Michelle Rindels said in the coalition’s white paper about the survey. “We want court administrators, policymakers and others to know there is broad-based interest in modernizing these systems to ensure public court proceedings are not just public in name only, but in a meaningful way.”
The NOGC’s survey reveals significant disparities in online access across Nevada’s 17 district courts. While Clark and Washoe counties provide online portals for public search and access to case documents, other districts primarily rely on outdated systems requiring in-person visits or time-consuming phone requests.
The lack of uniformity impedes journalism's efficiency and keeps critical legal information from the public. Transparency and accountability remain top priorities for Nevada Policy, which supports NOGC's efforts toward enforcing accessibility and disrupting unnecessary challenges within the court system.
The report also highlights that many courts struggle with insufficient funds and overburdened staff, complicating efforts to create user-friendly online portals. Additionally, fees for document access vary widely, creating further barriers.
Journalists play a crucial role in informing the public about legal proceedings, but current access limitations compromise their ability to do so effectively. Tabitha Mueller, a politics reporter at The Nevada Independent, emphasized how these challenges impact her work, especially when writing about Carson City District Court proceedings.
“Accessing court information quickly and efficiently is essential for informing the public,” she said. “The current setup often results in delays, hindering our ability to provide timely and accurate reporting.”
NOGC offers several key improvements: standardizing online access across all district courts by creating searchable portals; providing direct access to court documents; securing adequate funding; increasing staff support; and reforming fee structures for fairness.
Additionally, $25 million from the American Rescue Plan should be used to enhance public access beyond e-filing for case parties. These measures would help create a more transparent judicial system for all Nevadans.
To ensure true transparency and accessibility within Nevada's judicial system, it is imperative to address these deficiencies as highlighted by NGCO's survey and white paper. For more details on proposed solutions, readers are encouraged to review NOGC's full report available through Nevada Policy’s action center.
Take action now by making your voice heard through Nevada Policy’s platform to push for meaningful reforms benefiting all Nevadans.