177.055 - Automatic appeal in certain cases; mandatory review of death sentence by Supreme Court. - Nevada Statutes

177.055  Automatic appeal in certain cases; mandatory review of death sentence by Supreme Court.

      1.  When upon a plea of not guilty or not guilty by reason of insanity a judgment of death is entered, an appeal is deemed automatically taken by the defendant without any action by the defendant or the defendant’s counsel, unless the defendant or the defendant’s counsel affirmatively waives the appeal within 30 days after the rendition of the judgment.

      2.  Whether or not the defendant or the defendant’s counsel affirmatively waives the appeal, the sentence must be reviewed on the record by the Supreme Court, which shall consider, in a single proceeding, if an appeal is taken:

      (a) Any errors enumerated by way of appeal;

      (b) If a court determined that the defendant is not mentally retarded during a hearing held pursuant to NRS 174.098, whether that determination was correct;

      (c) Whether the evidence supports the finding of an aggravating circumstance or circumstances;

      (d) Whether the sentence of death was imposed under the influence of passion, prejudice or any arbitrary factor; and

      (e) Whether the sentence of death is excessive, considering both the crime and the defendant.

      3.  The Supreme Court, when reviewing a death sentence, may:

      (a) Affirm the sentence of death;

      (b) Set the sentence aside and remand the case for a new penalty hearing before a newly impaneled jury; or

      (c) Set aside the sentence of death and impose the sentence of imprisonment for life without possibility of parole.

      (Added to NRS by 1967, 1444; A 1977, 1545; 1985, 1597; 1995, 2456; 2003, 770, 1468, 2084)