No additional judge in Douglas County East Fork Justice Court

The caseload at the East Fork Township in Douglas County does not require an additional judge at this time, Justice of the Peace Tom Perkins has decided.
The announcement was made public in a news release sent Monday.
State law requires that an additional judge be added to the township when it reaches 34,000 in population. According to Nevada's demographer, the population of East Fork Township is 39,907. In a letter written to the Legislative Counsel Bureau, Judge Perkins said:

The purpose of this letter to advise you that in my opinion, the caseload in this township does not warrant an additional justice of peace at this time. NRS 4.020, Sec. 3. Please submit this letter to the next session of the Nevada Legislature, in the manner provided by law.

“With the condition of the economy and the County budget, this is the wrong time to add additional public officials,” said Judge Perkins.

East Fork Township Justice Court has jurisdiction over the Carson Valley side of Douglas County, excluding Lake Tahoe in matters pertaining to small claims, evictions, traffic citations, misdemeanors, and limited jurisdiction regarding civil actions, and felony and gross misdemeanor matters. The Court performs a myriad of duties and functions mandated by the Nevada State Legislature and the Nevada Supreme Court. The Court also provides assistance and works closely with various criminal defendants and numerous justice agencies.
The Stateline, Zephyr Cove, Glenbrook, and Kingsbury areas of Douglas County on the Lake Tahoe side are covered by the Tahoe Township Justice Court.

March 13, 2012
Legislative Counsel Bureau
Lorne K. Malkiewich, Director
Legislative Building
401 South Carson St.
Carson City, NV 89701-4747

Re: East Fork Township Justice Court

Dear Mr. Malkiewich,
NRS 4.020 provides, in a county whose population is less than 100,000, for one justice of peace for each 34,000 population of the township, or a fraction thereof. According to the State Demographer, Douglas County has a population of 47,661, and the population of East Fork Township is 39,907.
The purpose of this letter to advise you that in my opinion, the caseload in this township does not warrant an additional justice of peace at this time. NRS 4.020, Sec. 3. Please submit this letter to the next session of the Nevada Legislature, in the manner provided by law.
Sincerely yours,

Thomas E. Perkins
Justice of the Peace

TEP/s
cc: Hon. Lee Bonner, Douglas County Commission, Chair
Hon. Nancy McDermid, Douglas County Commission, Vice-Chair
Hon. Michael A. Olson, Douglas County Commission
Hon. Greg Lynn, Douglas County Commission
Hon. Doug Johnson, Douglas County Commission
Steve Mokrohisky, Douglas County Manager
Hon. Mark Jackson, Douglas County District Attorney
Hon. Richard Glasson, Justice of Peace, Tahoe Township