Fees for protective orders criticized

CARSON CITY -- The Assembly Judiciary Committee voted Wednesday to block lower courts in Nevada from collecting fees from people who seek temporary restraining orders against stalkers.

Assemblywoman Ellen Koivisto, D-Las Vegas, told the committee her bill was in response to complaints about justices of the peace in Las Vegas who imposed fees of about $30 for temporary protective orders.

"In the first month after the fee was imposed, there was a dramatic decrease in the number of requests for temporary protective orders," Koivisto said.

"Women, in particular, who are seeking protective orders are trying to get out of a situation that could be life-threatening and don't have time to grab their purse," she said. "I heard of cases where women needed protection but they were unable to pay for a protective order."

While most Nevada courts don't charge for restraining orders, the fees are authorized under the state's civil laws.

A person seeking a restraining order wouldn't be hit with a fee under Assembly Bill 82, but the bill would give judges the option of collecting the money later from alleged stalkers.

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