There’s now an app for Nevada Supreme Court hearings

CARSON CITY — Want to watch the Nevada Supreme Court oral arguments while you are hiking the Grand Canyon?

You can now.

The Supreme Court announced Tuesday that it is releasing applications to allow some smartphone users to watch its hearings live and to review thousands of court documents.

If you have an iPhone, you can download for free on the iTunes App Store the appropriate application to gain access to almost everything about the high court.

The app works only on iOS system, meaning it also works on iPads. Work is under way to develop a similar app for Android phones.

“We believe the Nevada Supreme Court iPhone app is the first mobile app to be launched by an appellate court anywhere in the country,” said Tracie Lindeman, the Supreme Court clerk.

Chief Justice Kris Pickering added, “Today’s technology gives us options to provide better access to Supreme Court information and this app, combined with the Court’s public portal, affords public accessibility and openness unimaginable in earlier times.”

Only a couple of years ago, the Supreme Court offered nothing to smartphone or Web users. To review a case file, someone had to visit the court clerk’s office, and employees would haul out on a cart the many volumes that make up some cases.

The same technology already is available for computer users at http://www.nevadajudiciary.us/index.php/supremecourt.

Contact Capital Bureau Chief Ed Vogel at evogel@reviewjournal.com or 775-687-3901.