Applicability to proceedings in civil actions; qualifications, duties and limitations on conduct of attendant; designation of attendant as witness; “victim of an act of domestic violence pursuant to NRS 33.018” defined.
1. In any civil action involving a victim of an act of domestic violence pursuant to NRS 33.018, the victim may designate a person to act as an attendant during any proceeding to provide support to the victim.
2. The victim may designate any person to act as an attendant.
3. An attendant:
(a) Is not required to possess or obtain any special qualifications, such as certification or training, to serve as an attendant pursuant to this section.
(b) Shall be available to provide moral and emotional support to the victim.
(c) Shall be available to assist the victim in feeling more confident that the victim will not be injured or threatened at any time during any proceeding.
(d) Unless otherwise ordered by the court, must be allowed to be present in close proximity to the victim during any proceeding.
4. Unless the attendant is an attorney licensed or otherwise authorized to practice in this state, the attendant shall not provide any legal advice to the victim. Any action taken by the attendant in accordance with this section shall be deemed not to constitute the unauthorized practice of law pursuant to NRS 7.285.
5. The attendant may be designated by a party as a witness and must not be excluded from the proceedings. If a party designates the attendant as a witness, the attendant must be examined and cross-examined before any other witness testifies.
6. For the purposes of this section, “victim of an act of domestic violence pursuant to NRS 33.018” includes any person who alleges that he is a victim of an act of domestic violence pursuant to NRS 33.018, regardless of whether or not the alleged perpetrator of the act of domestic violence has been charged with or convicted of any criminal offense related to that act.
Last modified: February 26, 2006