A dedicated group committed to defending indigent defendants facing serious charges
The Commission's attorneys represent clients across Nebraska free of charge to the county and the clients. They handle the most serious cases in Nebraska's criminal courts, including first- and second-degree murder, manslaughter, sexual assault, kidnapping, and arson. Since its inception, the Commission has been involved in most death penalty cases in the state.
The Commission fulfills an important constitutional duty by defending indigent Nebraskans charged with criminal offenses while reducing costs to county taxpayers by not billing counties for these services.
Mission Statement
The agency's mission is to assist Nebraska counties in providing indigent criminal defense services, which are mandated by the state and federal constitutions and state laws. This agency also represents qualifying indigent prisoners under the DNA Testing Act.
Administers the Legal Aid and Services Fund and the Civil Legal Services Fund, which assist indigent citizens who are in need of civil legal services and cannot afford to hire an attorney.
Administers the Legal Education for Public Service and Rural Practice Loan Repayment Assistance Program, which provides student loan assistance to qualified applicants employed by tax-exempt organizations that offer legal services to low-income individuals or serve Nebraska's designated legal shortage areas.
Background
The Nebraska Commission on Public Advocacy ("Commission") was established in 1995 to provide property tax relief to counties by covering the cost of legal representation for indigent defendants facing charges of first-degree murder and serious violent or drug-related felonies. It also provides legal assistance to public defenders and court-appointed attorneys and offers property tax relief because counties pay nothing for such legal services and associated costs.
The Commission is made up of nine members appointed by the governor from a list of attorneys provided by the Nebraska State Bar Association's executive council after consultation with the Nebraska Criminal Defense Attorneys Association board. A member is appointed from each of the 6 state supreme court districts and 3 members are appointed at large. Members must have significant experience in criminal minal defense and civil legal matters cannot be prosecutors, law enforcement, or judges while serving. They serve six-year terms, with the governor selecting the chairperson, and are reimbursed for expenses.
The Commission appoints a chief counsel to oversee its divisions, including capital litigation, violent crime and drug defense, appellate, DNA testing, and the major case resource center, which supports defense felony cases. The Commission also administers the Legal Aid and Services Fund and the Civil Legal Services Fund.
