1.  The State Public Defender may, before being designated as counsel for that person pursuant to NRS 171.188, interview an indigent person when the indigent person has been arrested and confined for a public offense or for questioning on suspicion of having committed a public offense.

Terms Used In Nevada Revised Statutes 180.060

  • Appellate: About appeals; an appellate court has the power to review the judgement of another lower court or tribunal.
  • Bail: Security given for the release of a criminal defendant or witness from legal custody (usually in the form of money) to secure his/her appearance on the day and time appointed.
  • Contract: A legal written agreement that becomes binding when signed.
  • Conviction: A judgement of guilt against a criminal defendant.
  • county: includes Carson City. See Nevada Revised Statutes 0.033
  • 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.
  • 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
  • Probation: A sentencing alternative to imprisonment in which the court releases convicted defendants under supervision as long as certain conditions are observed.
  • Public defender: Represent defendants who can't afford an attorney in criminal matters.

2.  The State Public Defender shall, when designated pursuant to NRS 62D.030 or 171.188, represent without charge each indigent person for whom the State Public Defender is appointed.

3.  When representing an indigent person, the State Public Defender shall:

(a) Counsel and defend the indigent person at every stage of the proceedings, including, without limitation, during the initial appearance and proceedings relating to admission to bail or the revocation of probation or parole; and

(b) Prosecute any appeals or other remedies before or after conviction that the State Public Defender considers to be in the interests of justice.

4.  In cases of postconviction proceedings and appeals arising in counties in which the office of public defender has been created pursuant to the provisions of chapter 260 of NRS, where the matter is to be presented to the appellate court of competent jurisdiction pursuant to the rules fixed by the Supreme Court pursuant to Section 4 of Article 6 of the Nevada Constitution, the State Public Defender shall prepare and present the case and the public defender of the county shall assist and cooperate with the State Public Defender.

5.  The State Public Defender may contract with any county in which the office of public defender has been created to provide representation for indigent persons when the court, for cause, disqualifies the county public defender or when the county public defender is otherwise unable to provide representation.

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