MCAFEE v. The State of Nevada, Real Party in Interest. (2019)

ORDER DENYING PETITION FOR WRIT OF MANDAMUS

This is an original petition for a writ of mandamus challenging the constitutionality of NRS 50.700, which prohibits court-ordered psychological examinations in criminal cases involving sexual offenses.

Because a writ of mandamus is an extraordinary remedy, the decision to consider a petition lies within our sole discretion. Hickey v. Eighth Judicial Dist. Court, 105 Nev. 729, 731, 782 P.2d 1336, 1338 (1989). Generally, however, a writ will not issue “where the petitioner has a plain, speedy and adequate remedy, such as an appeal, in the ordinary course of law.” Id. (citing NRS 34.170). If convicted, petitioner here has the right to raise his constitutional arguments in the form of an appeal, pursuant to NRS 177.015(3).¹

Accordingly, we exercise our discretion to deny this petition.

It is so ORDERED.

FOOTNOTES

1.   However, we note that NRS 50.700 applies to “a court proceeding that is commenced on or after October 1, 2015.” 2015 Nev. Stat., ch. 399, § 27, at 2246. Petitioner here was charged in 2013, thus raising concern about the applicability of this statute to his proceeding.