In addition, the commission provides legal assistance to public defenders and court-appointed attorneys. 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 incurred in the performance of their duties. The commission appoints a chief counsel to supervise the various divisions of the commission. In addition, the Nebraska Crime Commission supplies the commission with Federal grant Byrne fund money which supports two attorneys and a paralegal to further assist in property tax relief to the counties. Through the grant, the commission is able to provide representation of indigent defendants charged with serious violent or drug-related felonies.