Nye County Seeks Attorneys for Public Defense Contracts, Deadline May 15

Nye County posted a formal solicitation seeking qualified attorneys and law firms to provide public defense services for indigent defendants across four courts, with a submission deadline of May 15, 2026, at 5:00 p.m.

The county is requesting Letters of Interest, including qualifications, from attorneys and law firms interested in contracting for public defender services for indigent defendants appearing in the 5th Judicial District Court and the Beatty, Pahrump, and Tonopah Justice Courts. The Board of Commissioners is scheduled to award contracts on June 2, 2026.

The contract shall be for an amount up to $200,000 annually, depending on qualifications, payable in equal quarterly installments for the provision of all indigent defense services. That figure represents an increase from prior solicitation cycles: earlier contracts were capped at $175,000 annually, depending on qualifications, payable in equal quarterly installments.

Nye County has contracted with private attorneys to provide public defender services rather than maintaining a public defender office of its own. Nevada delegates to its counties the responsibility for administering indigent defense services, and counties can choose to create public defender offices, contract with private attorneys paid on an hourly basis, or contract with the state-administered Nevada State Public Defender.

The attorney or law firm will represent adult criminal defendants that a court in Nye County has determined to be indigent, except for capital cases. Representation covers all stages of criminal proceedings, including direct appeals, revocation of probation or parole, and specialty courts. The attorney or law firm also agrees to provide legal services to the Juvenile Court of Nye County.

Successful applicants will contract with the county as independent contractors, and will be responsible for performance in conformance with the Nevada State Bar Association Rules of Professional Conduct, the ABA Model Rules of Professional Conduct, and the Permanent Regulations of the Board of Indigent Defense Services.

Attorneys and law firms must demonstrate compliance with the standards and regulations of the Board of Indigent Defense Services pertaining to training, education, and qualifications by submitting an application to the Department of Indigent Defense Services.

Letters of Interest with qualifications should be submitted to Lorina Dellinger, Assistant County Manager, Nye County, P.O. Box 153, 101 Radar Road, Tonopah, NV 89049, or by email to ldellinger@nyecountynv.gov. A full description of responsibilities and requirements is available in the Public Defender Services Notice on the county's website at nyecountynv.gov.