Nev. Rev. Stat. § 41.NEW

Current through 82nd (2023) Legislative Session Chapter 535 and 34th (2023) Special Session Chapter 1 and 35th (2023) Special Session Chapter 1
Section 41.NEW - [Newly enacted section not yet numbered] [Represention of certain officers or employees of State or political subdivision who are summoned or subpoenaed to appear in action or proceeding in which person is not named defendant]
1. The official attorney may represent any present or former local judicial officer, state judicial officer, officer or employee of the State or a political subdivision, immune contractor or State Legislator summoned or subpoenaed to appear in an action or proceeding in which the person is not a named defendant, if:
(a) Within 7 days after the delivery or service of the summons or subpoena, the person submits a written request for representation to the official attorney, and, if the person has an administrative supervisor, his or her administrative supervisor, unless a waiver is granted pursuant to subsection 9; and
(b) The official attorney determines that such representation is in the best interest of the State or a political subdivision of the State.
2. As soon as reasonably practicable after receiving a request pursuant to subsection 1, the official attorney shall determine whether to represent the person who submitted the request and provide written notice of his or her determination to that person.
3. No fact pertaining to the arrangements or circumstances by which the State or a political subdivision or any attorney thereof represents any person or does not represent a person pursuant to this section is admissible in evidence in any action or proceeding, except in connection with an application to withdraw as the attorney of record.
4. If the official attorney determines that it is impracticable, uneconomical or could constitute a conflict of interest for the official attorney to provide the legal services associated with representing a person pursuant to this section, the official attorney may employ special counsel to render such legal services. Compensation for special counsel employed by an official attorney pursuant to this subsection must be paid in accordance with the requirements prescribed by NRS 41.03435 or 41.0344, as applicable.
5. At any time after a written request is submitted pursuant to subsection 1, the person requesting representation may employ his or her own counsel to represent him or her in the action or proceeding. At that time, the State or political subdivision is excused from any duty to represent that person and is not liable for any expenses associated with the action or proceeding, including, without limitation, court costs and attorney's fees.
6. The official attorney may apply to a court to withdraw from representing a person pursuant to this section at any time after the official attorney has appeared in an action or proceeding to represent the person upon notice to the person. Such notice must include, without limitation, the reason for the requested withdrawal.
7. If a court grants a motion to withdraw brought by the official attorney pursuant to subsection 6, the State or any political subdivision has no duty to continue to represent the person who is the subject of the motion to withdraw.
8. The provisions of this section do not abrogate or otherwise alter or affect any immunity from, or protection against, any civil action or civil liability which is provided by law to a local judicial officer, state judicial officer, officer or employee of the State or a political subdivision, immune contractor, State Legislator, member of a state board or commission or member of a local board or commission for any act or omission relating to the person's public duties or employment.
9. The official attorney may waive the requirement for notification prescribed by paragraph (a) of subsection 1 for good cause shown.
10. Nothing in this section shall be construed to require an official attorney to represent any present or former local judicial officer, state judicial officer, officer or employee of the State or a political subdivision, immune contractor or State Legislator in any action or proceeding.
11. As used in this section, "action or proceeding" means any action, suit, matter, cause, hearing, appeal or proceeding.

NRS 41.NEW

Added by 2023, Ch. 213,§1, eff. 10/1/2023.