SB407

Existing law creates the Department of Indigent Defense Services and requires the Governor to appoint the Executive Director of the Department, who serves at the pleasure of the Governor. (NRS 180.400) Section 25.5 of this bill instead: (1) requires the Executive Director to serve at the pleasure of the Board on Indigent Defense Services; and (2) authorizes the Board to remove the Executive Director only for good cause, unless an exception applies. Section 25.5 also specifies that the Executive Director serves a term of 4 years and may be reappointed. Existing law creates the Office of the State Public Defender within the Department and requires the Governor to appoint the State Public Defender. (NRS 180.010) Section 16 of this bill instead requires the Executive Director to appoint the State Public Defender. Section 16 also authorizes the Executive Director to reappoint the State Public Defender. Existing law requires the Executive Director and the State Public Defender to be licensed to practice law in this State. (NRS 180.010, 180.400) Sections 16 and 25.5 instead require each such person to be a member of the State Bar of Nevada or otherwise authorized to practice law in this State under the rules of the Supreme Court. Section 25.7 of this bill authorizes the person serving as the State Public Defender on the effective date of this bill to serve the remainder of the term for which he or she was appointed. Section 25.7 also provides that the person serving as the Executive