NRS432B.420. Right of parent or other responsible person to representation by attorney; authority of court to appoint attorney to represent child; authority and rights of child’s attorney; compensation of attorney; appointment of attorney as guardian ad litem.

      1.  A parent or other person responsible for the welfare of a child who is alleged to have abused or neglected the child may be represented by an attorney at all stages of any proceedings under NRS 432B.410 to 432B.590, inclusive. Except as otherwise provided in subsection 2, if the person is indigent, the court may appoint an attorney to represent the person. The court may, if it finds it appropriate, appoint an attorney to represent the child. The child may be represented by an attorney at all stages of any proceedings held pursuant to NRS 432B.410 to 432B.590, inclusive. If the child is represented by an attorney, the attorney has the same authority and rights as an attorney representing a party to the proceedings.

      2.  If the court determines that the parent of an Indian child for whom protective custody is sought is indigent, the court:

      (a) Shall appoint an attorney to represent the parent;

      (b) May appoint an attorney to represent the Indian child; and

      (c) May apply to the Secretary of the Interior for the payment of the fees and expenses of such an attorney,

Ê as provided in the Indian Child Welfare Act.

      3.  Each attorney, other than a public defender, if appointed under the provisions of subsection 1, is entitled to the same compensation and payment for expenses from the county as provided in NRS 7.125 and 7.135 for an attorney appointed to represent a person charged with a crime. Except as otherwise provided in NRS 432B.500, an attorney appointed to represent a child may also be appointed as guardian ad litem for the child. An attorney may not receive any compensation for services as a guardian ad litem.

      (Added to NRS by 1985, 1379; A 1987, 1308; 1995, 787; 1999, 2037; 2001, 1703; 2003, 590)