2006 Nebraska Revised Statutes - § 29-3932 — Indigent Defense Standards Advisory Council; created; members; expenses.

Section 29-3932
Indigent Defense Standards Advisory Council; created; members; expenses.

(1) The Indigent Defense Standards Advisory Council is created. The council shall consist of seven members, including the elected public defenders for Douglas County and Lancaster County, the chief counsel, and four members who have substantial experience in providing indigent defense services either as a public defender, contracting attorney, or court-appointed attorney and who are nominated by the Nebraska Criminal Defense Attorneys Association and appointed by the commission. The four members who are appointed by the commission shall serve terms of four years, except that, of the members first appointed, one member shall serve a term of one year, one member shall serve a term of two years, one member shall serve a term of three years, and one member shall serve a term of four years. A member may be reappointed at the expiration of his or her term. Any vacancy occurring other than by expiration of a term shall be filled for the remainder of the unexpired term in the same manner as the original appointment. The council shall select one of its members as chairperson.

(2) Notwithstanding any other provision of law, membership on the council shall not disqualify any member from holding his or her office or position or cause the forfeiture thereof.

(3) Members of the council shall serve without compensation, but they shall be entitled to reimbursement for their actual and necessary expenses as provided in sections 81-1174 to 81-1177.

(4) The council shall be responsible for developing and recommending to the commission guidelines and standards for county indigent defense systems, including, but not limited to, standards relating to the following: The use and expenditure of funds appropriated by the Legislature to reimburse counties which qualify for reimbursement; attorney eligibility and qualifications for court appointments; compensation rates for salaried public defenders, contracting attorneys, and court-appointed attorneys and overall funding of the indigent defense system; maximum caseloads for all types of systems; systems administration, including rules for appointing counsel, awarding defense contracts, and reimbursing defense expenses; conflicts of interest; continuing legal education and training; and availability of supportive services and expert witnesses.

Source:

Laws 2001, LB 335, § 5

Laws 2002, LB 876, § 68

~Revised Statutes Cumulative Supplement, 2006