"Sentencing Hearings" in
Nevada Criminal Cases
Explained by
Las Vegas Criminal Defense Attorneys
In some cases a Nevada judge may order a "suspended" sentence where the defendant avoids jail in exchange for attending rehab or following other court orders.
Sentencing is the next step after a defendant is found guilty of a crime in Las Vegas. The judge has final say over which punishment to impose. But a skilled Nevada criminal defense lawyer may be able to argue for the minimum penalties associated with the offense.
This page explains how the Nevada criminal sentencing hearing operates as well as defense strategies to win a laxer sentence. Just keep scrolling down . . . .
What is a criminal sentencing in
Las Vegas, Nevada?
A sentence is the punishment that a judge hands down to a defendant who's been convicted in a criminal case in Nevada. Sentences typically include one or more of the following terms:
- incarceration in Clark County Detention Center or Nevada State Prison
- fines
- house arrest in Nevada with electronic surveillance
- a suspended jail sentence, where the defendant does not have to do jail unless he/she violates other terms the judge imposes
- rehabilitation programs and/or counseling
- educational classes like DUI School in Nevada or a Victim Impact Panel
- an order to abstain from drugs or alcohol or to wear a SCRAM alcohol-detection device in Nevada
- victim restitution payments
- probation, which is when the defendant avoids jail but is required to follow various court orders such as submitting to random drug tests, searches and electronic monitoring in Nevada
- an order to "stay out of trouble" (abbreviated SOOT), which means that the defendant may not pick up any new arrests while the case is open.
Does each crime have its own punishment in
Las Vegas, Nevada?
In a way. Nevada law designates a range of possible sentences for each specific crime, and the judge ultimately decides which penalties within that range to impose. For instance the least serious category of crimes are misdemeanors in Nevada. They have a sentence range of:
- no jail to 6 months in Clark County Detention Center, and/or
- $0 to $1,000 in fines
The next category of crimes are gross misdemeanors in Nevada. Their sentence range is:
- no jail to 1 year in Clark County Detention Center, and/or
- $0 to $2,000 in fines
Finally there are felonies in Nevada, which are the most serious class of crimes. Felonies, in turn, are divided into five sub-categories which each carries its own sentence range. These sub-categories are (from least harsh to most harsh):
- Category E felonies in Las Vegas, which sentence usually includes:
- Probation, although the judge may order 1 to 4 years in prison and maybe an additional fine of up to $5,000.
- Category D felonies in Las Vegas, which sentence usually includes:
- 1 to 4 years in prison, and
- maybe fines of up to $5,000
- Category C felonies in Las Vegas, which sentence usually includes:
- 1 to 5 years in prison, and
- maybe fines of up to $10,000
- Category B felonies in Las Vegas, which sentence usually includes:
- 1 to 20 years in prison
- Category A felonies in Las Vegas, which sentence usually includes:
- life in prison with the possibility of parole, or
- life in prison without the possibility of parole, or
- death penalty in Nevada
Whenever the defendant has been convicted of more than one crime, the sentences will run either consecutively (one after the other) or concurrently. Usually the judge decides whether they're concurrent or consecutive. But for some crimes the order is already written into the law.
Does making a plea bargain guarantee the defendant a particular sentence in Las Vegas, Nevada?
No. The judge has the power to ignore a plea bargain and impose any sentence he/she deems fit as permitted by law. In practice however, the judge almost always defers to the prosecutor's discretion and adopts the terms of the plea bargain.
When is a defendant sentenced in
Las Vegas, Nevada?
It depends. If the defendant was convicted of only a misdemeanor, the judge often holds a "sentencing hearing" right after the conviction and decides on the sentence right away. But for more serious crimes such as felonies, the judge usually schedules the sentencing hearing several weeks out in order to give the defense and prosecution time to prepare for the hearing.
Learn more about what happens at sentencing hearings in Nevada at our informational page on sentencing hearings in Nevada.
How does a judge determine a defendant's sentence in Las Vegas, Nevada?
A judge takes several factors into account when deciding on a sentence. Among them are:
- the severity of the crime and the injuries or damages it caused
- the defense attorney's arguments at the sentencing hearing, which may include "mitigating evidence" that suggests the defendant is less blameworthy and deserves a laxer sentence
- the prosecution's arguments at the sentencing hearing, which may include "aggravating evidence" that suggests the defendant is more blameworthy and deserves a harsher sentence
- the defendant's own testimony at the sentencing hearing (if he/she chooses to give any)
- recommendations by the Nevada Department of Parole & Probation (if the crime is a gross misdemeanor or felony)
- testimony and letters by the defendant's friends and family pleading for laxity
- testimony and letters by the victim and victim's family pleading for a severe sentence (if the case had a victim)
- In some cases the judge may also consider the defendant's criminal history
Can a defendant appeal a sentence in
Las Vegas, Nevada?
A defendant usually can't appeal a sentence if the sentence was in accordance with a plea bargain. But if the defendant is found guilty in a trial, then he/she can appeal the sentence. Usually the grounds of appeal are that the sentence violates the Eighth Amendment's Cruel and Unusual Punishment law.
Arrested? There's help . . . .
If you're facing criminal charges in Nevada, call Las Vegas criminal defense attorneys at 702-DEFENSE (333-3673) for a free consultation. They may be able to get your charge dismissed so there's no sentence at all. Otherwise they'll fight for the laxest sentence possible so you can continue with your life as soon as possible. To learn about the law in California, please visit our page on sentencing hearings in California criminal cases.
For more information see our pages on misdemeanors in Nevada, gross misdemeanors in Nevada, felonies in Nevada, Category A felonies in Las Vegas, Category B felonies in Las Vegas, Category C felonies in Las Vegas, Category D felonies in Las Vegas, Category E felonies in Las Vegas, house arrest in Nevada, DUI School in Nevada, and SCRAM alcohol-detection device in Nevada, death penalty in Nevada, sentencing hearings in California criminal cases.
