1. When a defendant pleads guilty or guilty but mentally ill to, or is found guilty or guilty but mentally ill of, any violation of this chapter and an analysis of a dangerous drug was performed in relation to the defendant’s case, the justice or judge shall include in the sentence the sum of $50 as a fee for the analysis of the dangerous drug.

2. The money collected for such an analysis must not be deducted from the fine imposed by the justice or judge, but must be taxed against the defendant in addition to the fine. The money collected for such an analysis must be stated separately on the court’s docket and must be included in the amount posted for bail. If the defendant is found not guilty or the charges are dropped, the money deposited with the court must be returned to the defendant.

3. The money collected pursuant to subsection 1 in municipal court must be paid by the clerk of the court to the county treasurer on or before the fifth day of each month for the preceding month.

4. The money collected pursuant to subsection 1 in justice courts must be paid by the clerk of the court to the county treasurer on or before the fifth day of each month for the preceding month.

5. The board of county commissioners of each county shall by ordinance, before September 1, 1987, create in the county treasury a fund to be designated as the fund for forensic services. Upon receipt, the county treasurer shall deposit any fee for the analyses of dangerous drugs in the fund.

6. In counties which receive forensic services under a contract with the State, any money in the fund for forensic services must be paid monthly by the county treasurer to the State Treasurer for deposit in the State General Fund, after retaining 2 percent of the money to cover his or her administrative expenses.

7. In counties which do not receive forensic services under a contract with the State, money in the fund for forensic services must be expended, except as otherwise provided in this subsection:

(a) To pay for the analyses of dangerous drugs performed in connection with criminal investigations within the county;

(b) To purchase and maintain equipment to conduct these analyses; and

(c) For the training and continuing education of the employees who conduct these analyses.

Money from the fund must not be expended to cover the costs of analyses conducted by, equipment used by or training for employees of an analytical laboratory not registered with the Drug Enforcement Administration of the United States Department of Justice.

(Added to NRS by 1987, 1398; A 1995, 2469; 2003, 1488; 2007, 1448)