1.  A justice court or a municipal court may, upon approval of the district court, transfer original jurisdiction to the district court of a case involving an eligible defendant.

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Terms Used In Nevada Revised Statutes 176A.235

  • Defendant: In a civil suit, the person complained against; in a criminal case, the person accused of the crime.
  • Jurisdiction: (1) The legal authority of a court to hear and decide a case. Concurrent jurisdiction exists when two courts have simultaneous responsibility for the same case. (2) The geographic area over which the court has authority to decide cases.
  • Nolo contendere: No contest-has the same effect as a plea of guilty, as far as the criminal sentence is concerned, but may not be considered as an admission of guilt for any other purpose.
  • person: means a natural person, any form of business or social organization and any other nongovernmental legal entity including, but not limited to, a corporation, partnership, association, trust or unincorporated organization. See Nevada Revised Statutes 0.039
  • Plea: In a criminal case, the defendant's statement pleading "guilty" or "not guilty" in answer to the charges, a declaration made in open court.

2.  As used in this section, ‘eligible defendant’ means a person who:

(a) Has not tendered a plea of guilty, guilty but mentally ill or nolo contendere to, or been found guilty or guilty but mentally ill of, an offense that is a misdemeanor;

(b) Has been diagnosed as having a substance use disorder after an in-person clinical assessment; and

(c) Would benefit from assignment to a program established pursuant to NRS 176A.230.