Welcome To the Nebraska Commission on Public Advocacy
| Office The Apothecary Building, Suite 270 140 N. Eighth St., P.O. Box 98932 Lincoln, NE 68509-8932 Telephone: (402) 471-7774 Fax: (402) 471-8087 |
Chief Counsel James R. Mowbray Telephone: (402) 471-7778 E-mail: jmowbray@ncpa.ne.gov |
Statutory Reference: Neb. Rev. Stat. sect. 29-3923
BACKGROUND
The Nebraska Commission on Public Advocacy was created in 1995 to provide property tax relief to counties in their representation of indigent defendants charged with first-degree murder and serious violent or drug-related felonies, including juvenile cases at trial and on direct appeal. The commission also provides legal assistance to public defenders and court-appointed attorneys. The system 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 belong to the Nebraska State Bar Association and have substantial experience in criminal defense work. They may not be prosecutors, law enforcement officials or judges during their terms of 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, which helps in the defense of Nebraska capital cases; the violent crime and drug defense division, which helps in the defense of such cases; the appellate division, which prosecutes appeals to the state Court of Appeals and Supreme Court; the DNA testing division, which helps in representation in such cases and to pay for DNA testing; and the major case resource center, which helps public defenders, contracting attorneys or court-appointed attorneys with the defense of a felony offense. The chief counsel also manages the Legal Aid and Services Fund and the Civil Legal Services Fund.
MISSION STATEMENT
The mission of the agency is to assist Nebraska counties in providing indigent defense services, which are mandated by the State and Federal constitutions and State laws establishing crime and penalties, and to assist indigent citizens who are in need of civil legal services and cannot afford to hire an attorney. Its mission also includes reimbursing qualifying counties for adherence to indigent defense standards and to represent qualifying indigent prisoners under the DNA Testing Act, both efforts which have been affected by funding cuts. This agency is also assisting indigent citizens who are in need of civil legal services and cannot afford to hire an attorney.
| Member | Represents | Term Expires | |
| Robert Lindemeier, Chair 1020 So. Dewey St. P.O. Box 906 North Platte, NE 69103 (308) 534-6740 Fax: (308) 534-7666 Email: boblindemeier@hotmail.com |
At Large | (6-year term) [3rd Appointment, Expires 11-3-2015] |
|
| Russel Lee Jones 101 E.5th St. P.O. Box 985 North, Platte, NE 69101 (308) 534-2732 Fax: (308)534-2734 Cell: (308) 530-5213 E:mail: joneslawoffice@charter.net |
At Large | (6-year term) [1st Appointment, Expires 11-3-2017] |
|
| Jackie Barfield 6651 Sorensen Pkwy. Omaha, NE 68152 (402) 926-4428 Fax: (402) 926-0028 Cell:(402) 212-4928 E_mail: jbarlaw@aol.com |
At Large | (6-year term) [1st Appointment, Expires 11-3-2017] |
|
| Coleen J. Nielsen 140 N. 8th St,. #340 Lincoln, NE 68508 (402) 441-4848 Fax: (402) 441-4840 Cell:(402) 432-9352 E_mail: coleen@brennanniesenlaw.com |
First DIstrict | (6-year term) [1st Appointment, Expires 11-3-2017] |
|
| Edward G. Warin The Omaha Building 1650 Farnam St. Omaha, NE 68102-2186 (402) 346-6000 Fax: (402) 346-1148 Cell: (402) 740-6401 E-mail: Edward.warin@kutakrock.com Secretary: Kathy |
Second District | (6-year term) [3rd Appointment, Expires 11-3-2013] |
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| Douglas J. Stratton 200 W. Benjamin Ave. P. O. Box 888 Norfolk, NE 68702-0888 (402) 371-3100 Fax: (402) 379-4338 Cell: (402) 649-0501 E-mail: stratton@inebraska.com Secretary: Kari |
Third District | (6-year term) [2nd Appointment, Expires 11-3-2015] |
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| Thomas P. Strigenz 1256 Golden Gate Dr., Suite 2 Papillion, NE 68046 (402) 593-5933 Fax: (402) 593-5939 Cell: (402) 669-0089 E-mail: tstrigenz@sarpy.com |
Fourth District | (6-year term) [1st Appointment, Expires 11-3-2015] |
|
| Joseph Murray 147 No. 4th St. P. O. Box 87 Hebron, NE 68370 (402) 768-7400 Fax: (402) 768-7498 E-mail: joemurray@gmjlaw.com Secretary: Janelle |
Fifth District | (6-year term) [2nd Appointment, Expires 11-3-2013] |
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| Nancy S. Freburg P. O. Box 295 Kearney, NE 68848 (308) 234-5779 Fax: (308) 237-7784 |
Sixth District | (6-year term) [3rd Appointment, Expires 11-3-2011] |
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| James R, Mowbray Direct Office: (402) 471-7778 Cell: (402) 540-8099 |
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| Rita J. Wesely Direct Office: (402) 471-8088 Cell: (402) 440-3821 |
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Staff:
- James R. Mowbray, Chief Counsel, telephone (402) 471-7778, jmowbray@ncpa.ne.gov
- Jeffery A. Pickens, Attorney, capital litigation division, telephone (402) 471-7775, jpickens@ncpa.ne.gov
- Jerry L. Soucie, Attorney, appellate division, telephone (402) 471-8084, jsoucie@ncpa.ne.gov
- Robert W. Kortus, Attorney, major case resource center, telephone (402) 471-8086, rkortus@ncpa.ne.gov
- Kelly S. Breen, Attorney, violent crime and drug defense division, telephone (402) 471-8085, kbreen@ncpa.ne.gov
- Todd W. Lancaster, Attorney, violent crime and drug defense division, telephone (402) 471-8026, tlancaster@ncpa.ne.gov
- Shara Aden, Paralegal, telephone (402) 471-7776, saden@ncpa.ne.gov
- Rita J. Wesely, Administrative Assistant, telephone (402) 471-8088, rwesely@ncpa.ne.gov