Filed Date: 2007
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In 2007, the Supreme Court of Nevada became concerned that the provision of indigent defense in the state was deficient and required reform. On April 26, 2007, the Supreme Court of Nevada ordered that an Indigent Defense Commission be created for the purpose of studying issues relating to selection, appointment, compensation, qualifications, performance standards, and caseloads of counsel assigned to represent indigent defendants in criminal and juvenile delinquency cases throughout Nevada. The Nevada Supreme Court designated the Honorable Michael A. Cherry, Associate Judge, as chair of the Commission.
Between May and October 2007, the Commission conducted a statewide survey of indigent defense services. On November 20, 2007, the Commission filed its final report with the Supreme Court of Nevada, making numerous recommendations to promote the independence of the public defender system from the judiciary, establish performance and caseload standards, and ensure consistency of indigent defense in rural counties.
On December 14 and December 20, 2007, the Supreme Court of Nevada conducted public hearings to consider the Commission's report and to hear public comment on the issues concerning indigent defense.
In an order issued on January 4, 2008, the Supreme Court of Nevada adopted into law the performance standards recommended by the Commission. The Court also established a uniform definition of indigency, required that each judicial district submit for Court approval an administrative plan to promote the independence of the public defender system from the judiciary, created a permanent statewide commission charged with oversight of indigent defense, required all counties to collect uniform data for submission to the commission, and set a September 2008 hearing where the Court would consider the establishment of appropriate caseload standards for Clark and Washoe Counties.
We have no further information on this case.
Summary Authors
Vidhya Reddy (2/3/2008)
Cherry, Michael A. (Nevada)
Douglas, Michael (Nevada)
Gibbons, Mark (Nevada)
Hardesty, James W. (Nevada)
Maupin, A. William (Nevada)
Cherry, Michael A. (Nevada)
Douglas, Michael (Nevada)
Gibbons, Mark (Nevada)
Hardesty, James W. (Nevada)
Maupin, A. William (Nevada)
Parraguirre, Ron D. (Nevada)
Saitta, Nancy M. (Nevada)
Last updated Aug. 30, 2023, 1:49 p.m.
Docket sheet not available via the Clearinghouse.State / Territory: Nevada
Case Type(s):
Key Dates
Filing Date: 2007
Case Ongoing: No
Plaintiffs
Plaintiff Description:
No plaintiff; order entered by court as overseer of indigent defense system.
Public Interest Lawyer: No
Filed Pro Se: No
Class Action Sought: No
Class Action Outcome: Not sought
Defendants
indigent defense services in Nevada, State
Case Details
Causes of Action:
Available Documents:
Injunctive (or Injunctive-like) Relief
Outcome
Prevailing Party: None Yet / None
Source of Relief:
Issues
General:
Jails, Prisons, Detention Centers, and Other Institutions: