"It's light. It's airy. It's cheerful. But, most of all, it's safe."
Judge Paul Hickman says this center will be well received by the community.

A couple hundred people came out to celebrate the grand opening of the new Mills Lane Justice Center in downtown Reno that combines the District Attorney's office, Reno municipal court, along with family and justice courts.

But, as Judge Paul Hickman pointed out, this facility is safer than previous court situations.
"In a lot of cases we do, the domestic violence cases, emotions run high and a lot of people are very angry with one another and in circumstances like that. If you keep them together, you're just asking for trouble."

Christina Conti is the victim witness coordinator for the district attorney's office.
She says she understands the duress victim's have when they come to court.
"When the children come to court, it's a very scary process. So, this is an environment that gives them the opportunity to relax before they go into court."

For years, families would have to sit in the hallway together waiting for trial, even sitting victims next to their alleged abusers because there was no room to wait.
Now families are even allowed childcare during visits or court appearances.

"It's always an issue with courts these days. The separation in this building, you have separate areas. You have separate areas for victims or children, where they can wait."
Judge Hickman says this facility provides an environment that better provides for a victim's personal safety.