LAS VEGAS (FOX5) — Nye County officials are seeking letters of interest from attorneys and law firms interested in contracting to provide public defense services for low-income defendants in the county’s courts.
Officials said the county intends to hire independent attorneys or firms to serve as primary counsel for the courts of the 5th Judicial District Court in Beatty, Pahrump, and Tonopah.
The contract will be for up to $200,000 annually, depending on qualifications, and will be paid in equal quarterly installments for the services provided, officials said.
Successful applicants would serve as independent contractors and would not be eligible for county benefits, officials said.
According to officials, the attorney or law firm will represent criminals who have been deemed low-income or unable to pay for counsel by a court in Nye County, except in capital cases. Representation will include all stages of criminal proceedings, including direct appeals, revocation of probation or parole, and specialty courts.
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Officials said services also will include representation for children alleged to be delinquent or in need of supervision when ordered under Nevada Revised Statutes Chapter 62, as well as legal services in Nye County Juvenile Court.
The attorney or firm must attend 48-hour in-custody hearings in Justice Court on a rotating basis with other consortium counsel as scheduled and continue representing any appointed client for whom the attorney is counsel of record on the effective date of the agreement, officials said.
Applicants must demonstrate compliance with training, education, and qualification standards set by the Board of Indigent Defense Services by submitting an application to the Nevada Department of Indigent Defense Services, officials said.
Letters of interest must be submitted by May 15 at 5 p.m., officials said.
Materials will be presented to the Nye County Board of Commissioners on June 2, and the county expects to award a contract that day, officials said.
Letters of interest and qualifications should be sent to Lorina Dellinger, assistant county manager, Nye County, P.O. Box 153, 101 Radar Road, Tonopah, NV 89049, or emailed to [email protected] , officials said.
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