Indigent Defense Information by County

County Board of Commissioners provide an annual report to the Department of Indigent Defense Services by May 1 of each year.  This annual report includes the plan for the provision of indigent defense services for the county for the next fiscal year. In 2021, all seventeen Nevada counties have created their own plan for the provision of indigent defense services.  The plans and additional information can be found below.

Carson City

Carson City utilizes the services of the Carson City Public Defender to provide high quality indigent defense representation. Carson City contracts with three conflict attorneys to take cases if the Carson City Public Defender has a conflict.

The Carson City Counsel Assistant selects counsel for appointment in cases where the Carson City Public Defender has a conflict and assigns between three contract attorneys. The Department of Indigent Defense Services assists Carson City in implementing their plan by performing certain duties such as the selection of appointed counsel, when necessary, and reviewing requests for billing. The Department of Indigent Defense Services can be contacted via email at didscontact@dids.nv.gov or via phone at 775-687-8490.

Attorneys wishing to be placed on the Carson City rotation for appointment in indigent defense cases must apply using the Rural County Application for List of Qualified Contract and Appointed Counsel.

Churchill County

The Churchill County Public Defender's Office and the Conflict Churchill Public Defender's Office serve Churchill County to defend indigent individuals and protected persons in the community charged with criminal offenses whether those persons are adults or juveniles.  The Churchill County Public Defender's Office was brought under the auspices of Churchill County in 2020 after decades of being a contracted service to reduce the rising costs of the contracting model and provide more cost efficiencies and ensure a greater level of accessibility and equitability of representation for indigent individuals. The Conflict Public Defender's Office was created in 2022. 

The Appointed Counsel Program Administrator, Sue Sevon, performs such duties and responsibilities as set forth in the Churchill County plan. Sue Sevon can be reached at sevonconsulting@gmail.com or by phone at 775-857-9763.

Attorneys wishing to be placed on the Churchill County rotation for appointment in indigent defense cases must apply using the Rural County Application for List of Qualified Contract and Appointed Counsel.

Clark County

Clark County, Nevada provides indigent individuals legal counsel at all phases of serious criminal proceedings.  Clark County established the Office of the Public Defender, led by Clark County Public Defender Darin Imlay, for the purpose of providing all necessary legal counsel to indigent individuals accused of criminal activity.

Clark County established the Office of the Special Public Defender, led by Special Public Defender JoNell Thomas, to provide all necessary legal counsel to individuals charged with the offense of Open Murder that the Public Defender is unable to represent.

Clark County has established the Office of Appointed Counsel as an independent department, separate from the Judges, Court Administration, the Public Defender's Office, and the Office of the Special Public Defender.

Susan Bush serves as the Director of the Office of Appointed Counsel and may be contacted via email at Susan.Bush@ClarkCountyNV.gov or via phone at 702-455-3362.  Attorneys wishing to be added to the list of qualified contract and appointed counsel for Clark County must submit the Clark County Application Form and return to Susan Bush, Director of Office of Appointed Counsel, 500 S. Grand Central Parkway, 6th Floor, Las Vegas, NV 89155.

Douglas County

The objective of Douglas County's Plan is to provide for equality before the law for all persons.  The Plan is to be administered so that those accused of crime, or otherwise eligible for services of appointed counsel, will not be deprived, because they are financially unable to pay for adequate representation, of any element of representation necessary to an adequate defense. Douglas County contracts with private counsel to provide high quality indigent defender services.

The Douglas County Appointed Counsel Program Coordinator, Justin Clouser, oversees the assignment of cases to the contract public defenders and works in coordination with the Department of Indigent Defense Services.  Justin Clouser can be contacted via email at jclouser@clouserlaw.com and IndigentDefense@douglasnv.us, please cc Robyn, RAValdez@DouglasNV.us. Attorneys wishing to be placed on the Douglas County rotation for appointment in indigent defense cases must apply using the Rural County Application for List of Qualified Contract and Appointed Counsel.

Elko County

One of the objectives of the Elko County Plan is to achieve equality before the law for all persons.

The Elko County Public Defender's Office, led by Public Defender Matthew Pennell, provides superior indigent defense representation and handles all cases where a court appoints an indigent person an attorney, unless the office has a conflict of interest.

The Elko County Counsel Program Coordinator selects counsel for appointment in cases where the Elko Public Defender has a conflict.  The Counsel Program Coordinator also performs other duties as set forth in the Plan.  The Department of Indigent Defense Services is acting as the Elko County Counsel Program Coordinator until Elko County selects a coordinator.  The Department can be contacted via email at didscontact@dids.nv.gov or via phone at 775-687-8490.

Attorneys wishing to be placed on the Elko County rotation for appointment in indigent defense cases must apply using the Rural County Application for List of Qualified Contract and Appointed Counsel.

Esmeralda County

The objective of Esmeralda County's Indigent Defense Plan is to achieve equality before the law for all persons. Esmeralda County contracts with a private attorney to act as the Esmeralda County Public Defender.  The Esmeralda County Public Defender is appointed to all indigent defense cases unless the office is unable to take the case. The Department of Indigent Defense Services assists Esmeralda County in implementing their plan by selecting appointed counsel, when necessary, and reviewing requests for billing.  The Department of Indigent Defense Services can be contacted via email at didscontact@dids.nv.gov or via phone at 775-687-8490.

Attorneys wishing to be placed on the Esmeralda County rotation for appointment in indigent defense cases must apply using the Rural County Application for List of Qualified Contract and Appointed Counsel.

Eureka County

The objective of Eureka County's Indigent Defense Plan is to achieve equality before the law for all persons.  The Plan is to be administered so that those accused of a crime, or otherwise eligible for services of appointed counsel, will not be deprived, because they are financially unable to pay for adequate representation, of any element of representation necessary to an adequate defense. Eureka County contracts with a private attorney to act as the Eureka County Public Defender.  The Eureka County Public Defender is appointed to all indigent defense cases unless the office is unable to take the case. 

The Department of Indigent Defense Services assists Eureka County in implementing their plan by performing certain duties such as the selection of appointed counsel, when necessary, and reviewing requests for billing.  The Department of Indigent Defense Services can be contacted via email at didscontact@dids.nv.gov or via phone at 775-687-8490.

Attorneys wishing to be placed on the Eureka County rotation for appointment in indigent defense cases must apply using the Rural County Application for List of Qualified Contract and Appointed Counsel.

Humboldt County

The objectives of the Humboldt County Plan are to achieve equality before the law for all persons, meet the constitutional requirements of providing appointed counsel while not creating any economic disincentive or impairing the ability of appointed counsel to provide effective representation, and promote the integrity of the relationship between an appointed attorney and client. TheHumboldt County Public Defender's Office, led by Public Defender Matthew Stermitz, provides superior indigent defense representation and handles all cases where a court appoints an indigent person an attorney, unless the office has a conflict of interest.  In the case of conflicts, the Humboldt County Alternate Public Defender, Maureen McQuillan, may be appointed.

The Department of Indigent Defense Services selects counsel for appointment in cases where the Humboldt County Public Defender and Alternate Public Defender have a conflict.  The Department also performs other duties as set forth in the Plan.  The Department can be contacted via email at didscontact@dids.nv.gov or via phone at 775-687-8490.

Attorneys wishing to be placed on the Humboldt County rotation for appointment in indigent defense cases must apply using the Rural County Application for List of Qualified Contract and Appointed Counsel.

Lander County Plan

The objective of Lander County's Plan is to implement the model plan as required by the Regulations implemented by the Board on Indigent Defense Services. Lander County contracts with private counsel to provide high quality indigent defender services as the Lander County Public Defender, First Tier Public Defender, and Second Tier Public Defender.

The Lander County Appointed Counsel Administrator, Laken Sullivan, oversees the selection of appointed counsel and works in coordination with the Department of Indigent Defense Services.  Laken Sullivan can be contacted via email at LSullivan@LanderCountyNV.org.  Attorneys wishing to be placed on the Lander County rotation for appointment in indigent defense cases must apply using the Rural County Application for List of Qualified Contract and Appointed Counsel.

Lincoln County Plan

The objective of this Plan is to attain the ideal of equality before the law for all persons. Lincoln County has contracted with private counsel to serve in the role of the Lincoln County's Primary Public Defender. The Lincoln County plan provides for the Department of Indigent Defense Services to perform such duties and responsibilities as set forth in the plan.

The Department of Indigent Defense Services can be contacted via email at didscontact@dids.nv.gov or via phone at 775-687-8490. Attorneys wishing to be placed on the Lincoln County rotation for appointment in indigent defense cases must apply using the Rural County Application for List of Qualified Contract and Appointed Counsel.

Lyon County

The objective of the Lyon County Plan is to ensure competent, zealous legal representation for indigent persons eligible for the services of court-appointed counsel.  Lyon County has contracted with private counsel to serve in the role of the Lyon County's Primary Public Defender. The Lyon County plan provides for the Department of Indigent Defense Services to perform such duties and responsibilities as set forth in the plan.  The Department may be contacted via email at didscontact@dids.nv.gov or via phone at 775-687-8490.

Attorneys wishing to be placed on the Lyon County rotation for appointment in indigent defense cases must apply using the Rural County Application for List of Qualified Contract and Appointed Counsel.

Mineral County

The objective of Mineral County's Plan is to implement the model plan as required by the Regulations implemented by the Board on Indigent Defense Services. Mineral County contracts with private counsel to provide high quality indigent defender services as the Mineral County Public Defender, First Tier Public Defender, and Second Tier Public Defender.

The Department of Indigent Defense Services is currently serving as the Mineral County Appointed Counsel Administrator and oversees the selection of appointed counsel and other duties as set forth in the plan.  The Department of Indigent Defense Services can be contacted via email at didscontact@dids.nv.gov or via phone at 775-687-8490. Attorneys wishing to be placed on the Mineral County rotation for appointment in indigent defense cases must apply using the Rural County Application for List of Qualified Contract and Appointed Counsel.

Nye County

The objective of Nye County's Plan is to attain the ideal of equality before the law for all persons.  The Plan is to be administered so that those accused of crime, or otherwise eligible for services of appointed counsel, will not be deprived, because they are financially unable to pay for adequate representation, of any element of representation necessary to an adequate defense.  For Nye County indigent defense services, Nye County contracts with private counsel to provide high quality indigent defender services.

The Department of Indigent Defense Services is currently serving as the Nye County Appointed Counsel Program Coordinator and oversees the selection of appointed counsel and other duties as set forth in the plan.  The Department of Indigent Defense Services can be contacted via email at didscontact@dids.nv.gov or via phone at 775-687-8490. Attorneys wishing to be placed on the Nye County rotation for appointment in indigent defense cases must apply using the Rural County Application for List of Qualified Contract and Appointed Counsel.

Pershing County

The objective of Pershing County's Plan is to implement the model plan as required by the Regulations implemented by the Board on Indigent Defense Services. The Pershing County Public Defender, Steve W. Cochran, provides the first line of representation.  If the Pershing County Public Defender has a conflict, Pershing County contracts with private counsel to provide high quality indigent defender services as the First Tier Public Defender, and Second Tier Public Defender.

The Pershing County Appointed Counsel Administrator, Kelly Weaver, oversees the selection of appointed counsel and works in coordination with the Department of Indigent Defense Services.  Kelly Weaver can be contacted via email at kwpsnv@gmail.com or via phone at 775-544-2698.  Attorneys wishing to be placed on the Pershing County rotation for appointment in indigent defense cases must apply using the Rural County Application for List of Qualified Contract and Appointed Counsel.

Storey County

The objective of the Storey County's Plan is to continue to provide a system of selection and appointment of counsel that provides indigent defendants accused of a crime or a delinquent act with an adequate defense and effective assistance of counsel to protect his or her constitutional rights; and to provide for the appointment and compensation of qualified counsel, without waste of public resources. Storey County utilizes the services of the Caron City Public Defender's Office to provide high quality indigent defense representation.

The Department of Indigent Defense Services is currently serving as the Storey County Appointed Counsel Program Coordinator and oversees the selection of appointed counsel and other duties as set forth in the plan. The Department of Indigent Defense Services can be contacted via email at didscontact@dids.nv.gov or via phone at 775-687-8490.  Attorneys wishing to be placed on the Storey County rotation for appointment in indigent defense cases must apply using the Rural County Application for List of Qualified Contract and Appointed Counsel.

Washoe County

Washoe County, Nevada provides indigent individuals legal counsel at all phases of criminal proceedings.  Washoe County established the Office of the Public Defender, led by Washoe County Public Defender, Evelyn Grosenick, for the purpose of providing all necessary legal counsel to indigent individuals accused of criminal activity.  Washoe County has established the Alternate Public Defender, led by Alternate Public Defender Kate Hickman to provide all necessary legal counsel to individuals that the Public Defender is unable to represent.  Washoe County has established the Washoe County Appointed Counsel Administrator (ACA) to assist with selection of counsel when the Public Defender and Alternate Public Defender are unable to take a case.  

Patrick McGinnis serves as the ACA and can be contacted by email at mcginnispatrick2022@gmail.com.  

To apply to be added to the list of qualified contract and appointed counsel for Washoe County, follow the instructions here.

White Pine County

White Pine County utilizes the services of the Nevada State Public Defender to provide high quality indigent defense representation. White Pine County contracts with a conflict attorney to take cases where the NSPD has a conflict. 

The Department of Indigent Defense Services assists White Pine County in implementing their plan by performing certain duties such as the selection of appointed counsel, when necessary, and reviewing requests for billing.  The Department of Indigent Defense Services can be contacted via email at didscontact@dids.nv.gov or via phone at 775-687-8490.

Attorneys wishing to be placed on the White Pine County rotation for appointment in indigent defense cases must apply using the Rural County Application for List of Qualified Contract and Appointed Counsel.