Legal Aid and Service Fund Grant

The Legal Aid and Service Fund Grant, administered by the Nebraska Commission on Public Advocacy, aims to provide essential legal representation to indigent defendants in serious criminal cases. The agency ensures that counties comply with constitutional mandates while offering additional assistance based on financial need and service years, enhancing access to justice for vulnerable citizens.

The Commission also provides legal assistance to public defenders and court-appointed attorneys. The Commission provides property tax relief because counties pay nothing for such legal services and associated costs.
The Commission consists of nine members appointed by the governor from a list of attorneys submitted by the executive council of the Nebraska State Bar Association after consultation with the board of directors of the Nebraska Criminal Defense Attorneys Association. A member is appointed from each of the six state Supreme Court districts, and three members are appointed at large. Members must have substantial experience in criminal defense work and civil legal matters. They may not be prosecutors, law enforcement officials, or judges during their terms in office. Members serve six-year terms. The governor designates the chairperson of the Commission. Members are reimbursed for expenses.
The Commission appoints a chief counsel to supervise the divisions of the Commission. These divisions are: the capital litigation division; the violent crime and drug defense division; the appellate division; the DNA testing division; and the major case resource center, which helps public defenders, contracting attorneys or court-appointed attorneys with the defense of felony offenses. The chief counsel also administers the Legal Aid and Services Fund and the Civil Legal Services Fund.
AWARDS
The Commission will establish a base amount of assistance to award all eligible applicants/participants and awarding additional assistance to eligible applicants/participants based on the applicant/participant’s financial considerations, years of service, and other program assistance.