Washoe L.C.R. 3

(a) At the initial appearance of the defendant before the district court, the court shall:

(1) supply the defendant a copy of the indictment or information unless the charging document has previously been made available to the defendant through e-filing;

(2) if necessary, determine whether the defendant qualifies for appointed counsel and, if so, appoint counsel to represent the defendant. In such event, newly appointed counsel shall be given an extension of time of at least 5 days before entry of plea;

(3) arraign the defendant upon all charges in the indictment or information;

(4) subject to the conditions set forth in NRS 178.4853, determine appropriate conditions for the defendant’s release from custody or that detention is warranted;

(5) if the defendant enters a plea of not guilty, set the dates for trial, pretrial motions, evidentiary hearings or status conferences;

(6) specify any discovery obligations of the parties beyond those contained in Chapter 174 of the Nevada Revised Statutes.

(b) If the defendant enters a plea of guilty or nolo contendere, the court may transfer the action to the Second Judicial District Court (Washoe County) Specialty Courts, if appropriate, or order a presentence report and set a sentencing date consistent with the jail population management policies of the court and L.C.R. 9.

(c) Subject to the provisions of NRS 176.135, a presentence report may be waived and sentence imposed at the entry of a plea of guilty or nolo contendere.

Comment: The initial appearance is the occasion for the court and counsel to establish a meaningful schedule for the trial and all pretrial activity appropriate to each case. Except in unforeseen, extraordinary circumstances, the schedule will not be subsequently modified. Status conferences are conducted to monitor the progress of a case. Persons who enter a plea of guilty or nolo contendere and qualify for treatment in the Second Judicial District Drug Court may, if the department deems the defendant to be an appropriate referral, be immediately referred to such court without further proceedings in the department in which the criminal action is commenced.