Posted on 04/03/2015 10:05:56 PM PDT by Ken H
Decline in speeding ticket revenue throughout Nevada threatens the state judicial budget.
Nevada courts are out of cash because police are not writing enough speeding tickets. State Supreme Court Chief Justice James W. Hardesty sounded the warning before the state Joint Subcommittee on General Government on March 11, telling lawmakers that the coffers are running dry at an alarming rate.
"We thought the decline would be about three or so percent," Justice Hardesty explained. "We budgeted for a five percent decline in the budget that the governor recommended. We now believe based on the numbers we're seeing that the decline will actually be ten percent. This is a serious problem, not only for the Supreme Court's budget, but also for those budgets in the state general fund that are supported by administrative assessments."
In 2010, 615,267 traffic and parking tickets were issued statewide. This dropped to just 484,913 last year. The 21 percent reduction in revenue is hitting the courts hard.
"We probably will be close to 400,000 in 2015," Justice Hardesty told committee members. "I mean this is the concern that all of us together, senator, need to address.... With all due respect to the citizens of Nevada, I don't think anyone is driving better. I think the truth is, we're seeing less traffic violations because law enforcement's priorities have changed dramatically."
The judicial branch spends $51 million each year to operate, with all but $20 million coming from the state general fund. Roughly the same amount, $21 million, pays the salaries of the state's justices and judges. The chief justice believes paying judges out of traffic fines is the wrong way to fund the courts.
"The Supreme Court is the one who's encouraging people to violate the law so we have enough money to operate," Justice Hardesty observed. "That seems like an oxymoron. I would urge the legislature to give serious consideration to changing the manner by which the Supreme Court is funded."
The chief justice told lawmakers that it was their constitutional duty to fund the courts and that the $1.4 million budgetary shortfall should be paid from the general fund, instead of encouraging more ticket-writing statewide.
"If this issue is not addressed before May 1, the court will not have sufficient cash to operate," Justice Hardesty warned. "Do you want me to close the judicial branch of government at the state level on May 1? ...If we don't fix this problem, the Supreme Court will be broke in the next biennium."
What if people just started driving the normal speed? Wouldn’t the whole court system have to shut down within a year?
Seems like the judges should take a 20% pay cut until business picks up
Smart fella, right there.
They’re running short of people to shake down?
The orders are simple; Just get their money any way possible.
When people don’t have jobs, they are less likely to speed and less likely to drive at all.
Traffic fines are intended to promote safety. Using them as a source of revenue is misprision in office—a crime and an impeachable offense.
That's what happens in lowly middle class private sector America.
Can you imagine these folks being told the entire court system and state are taking huge pays cuts? Downsizing?
Of course lowly shrinking middle America has been doing this for 17 years. These people must be very special.
Brnnng rnng ring, Hello? Eric Holder?
Not in this case and other venues apparently.
Government was intended to protect and secure our borders too. Ya think their intent changed?
“..The orders are simple; Just get their money any way possible.”
Well, Guido and Luigi tried to shake down Harry Reid but they probably did not get enough money.....:-)
Nevada needs fewer judges.
Traffic tickets have always been about money and not safety.
“Seems like the judges should take a 20% pay cut until business picks up”
If the Nevada Supreme Court is anything like those a$$holes that make up the SCOTUS, maybe the good people of Nevada should make them a “part time” court like some state legislatures. I mean it’s not like they do anything to help to make life better and more fair, so perhaps less would be more.
People have just gotten smarter. The locals know where all the speed traps are and drive accordingly.
Hey, if they don’t like the needed pay cuts they can always quit and get an attorney job or drive a cab.
That’s what the rest of us are told.
BTW, the part time is good, and they’ll need their benefits reduced. Maybe go on Obamacare.
Why can’t these judges just get money from the Mob like Senator Harry Greed does?
“Hey, if they don’t like the needed pay cuts they can always quit and get an attorney job or drive a cab.”
They probably won’t qualify as cab drivers, those jobs are the exclusive province of Somali’s and Sikh’s. Guess you haven’t taken a cab lately. And make sure you don’t have any booze or your dog with you or they will leave you standing at the curb.
Beats me.
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