I have been told I have a Conflict Attorney, what does that mean?

Public Defenders are licensed attorneys. As such, they are bound by the same rules of ethics, including the rule that you may not represent someone when a conflict of interest arises.

In order to accommodate this situation, Washoe County has created the Alternate Public Defender's Office. Washoe County also has contracted with an outside group of private attorneys in case of conflicts within the APD office. Every case that comes into the WCPD office is immediately screened for conflicts of interest. Whenever such a conflict is detected, the case file is transferred to the APD's office.