Update: County approves taking legal defense program in-house

On Thursday, county commissioners voted to create a new position for director of indigent defense to replace the current contract held by attorney Justin Clouser, whose contract is not to exceed $168,400.

While county officials disagree it requires 8.8 full-time attorneys to handle its indigent defense, they do agree a more streamlined approach is required to manage the program.

Douglas County contracts with attorneys to provide legal services to those defendants who are accused of crimes and have been found to be indigent, as required by state law.

There are on average around five attorneys who do that work, but those numbers vary. One of them, former prosecutor Brian Filter, said he is giving up his contract on May 22.

The county has been advertising for attorneys on social media and the county web site. A contract to represent indigent defendants runs $265,000 a year, according to the ad and lasts a year.

Applicants must be an attorney licensed by the Nevada Bar.

On Thursday, county commissioners will discuss creating a new position for director of indigent defense to replace the current contract held by attorney Justin Clouser, whose contract is not to exceed $168,400.

The salary range for the position is proposed to be $138,507 to $207,771 a year.

“However, currently any cost increases for this program will be reimbursed to Douglas County by the State of Nevada Department of Indigent Defense,” Assistant County Manager Wendy Lang said in her report. “The creation of this new position will allow the county to fulfill its obligation to provide highly qualified, independent legal counsel to indigent parties.”

The county explored the idea of contracting with the Nevada Department of Indigent Defense Services but decided against it.

With two defense attorneys required for each of the four defendants facing homicide charges brought over the last four months, the number of attorneys over the next few months is critical.