The Criminal Court Process in Nevada
Explained by
Las Vegas Criminal Defense Attorneys
Arrests usually mark the beginning of a criminal case, but in some cases the police issue citations or a summons instead.
A criminal case in Nevada can be a long, drawn-out process even if the offense is minor. There're many procedures that must take place in and out of court before a case can be closed. But a skilled Las Vegas criminal defense attorney knows how to navigate the system so that the matter resolves as quickly and painlessly as possible.
This page explains each phase of a Nevada criminal case step-by-step. Keep reading to learn about the following subjects:
(Click on a topic to go directly to that section.)
1) Informations and Indictments
in Las Vegas, NV
2) Arrests in Las Vegas, NV
3) Bail in Las Vegas, NV
4) Arraignments in Las Vegas, NV
5) Pretrial Conferences in Las Vegas, NV
6) Preliminary Hearings in Las Vegas, NV
7) Trials in Las Vegas, NV
8) Sentencing in Las Vegas, NV
9) Appeals in Las Vegas, NV
10) Sealing Records in Las Vegas, NV
1) Informations and Indictments in
Las Vegas, Nevada
After police conclude a criminal investigation they give their findings to the D.A. If the D.A. chooses to press charges, they have two choices on how to proceed in Nevada:
- The first is to give the court a sworn statement called an "information" which charges the suspect with a crime. If the judge agrees there's probable cause that the suspect committed a crime the court will issue an arrest warrant (unless the suspect is already in custody).
- The alternative choice is to present the findings not to a judge but to a grand jury. If the grand jury agrees there's sufficient evidence to charge the suspect with a crime, the prosecutors then presents the court with an "indictment" which serves the same purpose as an "information."
Note that prosecutors rarely resort to grand juries except in high profile or very serious cases. Learn more about informations and grand juries in Nevada in our article on grand juries in Nevada.
2) Arrests in Las Vegas, Nevada
A cop with "probable cause" to believe a person committed a crime may arrest that person. Sometimes the arrest follows an investigation where the police ask a judge for an arrest warrant. Other times the arrest occurs right after the alleged crime without the cop being able to secure a warrant first. (For more information go to our page on how to clear an arrest warrant in Nevada.)
Following an arrest the police may search the person's body for drugs, weapons or other crime-related paraphernalia. The police must also read the arrestee his/her Miranda Rights before they can question him/her about the alleged crime.
Eventually the police will take the arrestee to jail for booking. The arrestee will then have to take a mug-shot, give fingerprints, and submit to a more thorough search. The arrestee then waits in a holding cell pending the judge setting bail.
Citations and Summons in Las Vegas, Nevada
Not all criminal cases begin with a traditional arrest. If the case is minor enough (such as the Nevada crime of jaywalking), then the police will usually just issue a "citation" with a date to appear in court and answer to the charge.
In other cases police may forgo arrest by having the court mail the suspect a "summons" requesting him/her appear in court to answer to the charge. Depending on the charge the suspect may then have to do a "walk through" in jail. This is when the defendant gets formally booked but is released the same day pending the outcome of the case.
Nevada courts may resort to citations and summons in cases where the suspect is not considered a flight risk and there's no immediate necessity to keep him/her in custody.
3) Bail in Las Vegas, Nevada
Nevada judges may release an arrested person from jail provided that he/she can give the court money called "bail." This money functions as a promise to the court that the person will show up to all required court appearances and follow court orders. Then once the criminal case ends the person will get the bail back even if he/she is convicted.
Courts have "bail schedules" where each crime is matched with a bail amount. Predictably, serious crimes carry higher bail than minor crimes. Some suspects are released on their "own recognizance" for no bail at all. And for very serious cases like the Nevada crime of murder the judge may refuse to set bail and will keep the suspect in custody pending the case's outcome.
In most cases the court accepts bail in cash or by bond. Bondsmen typically charge a 15% fee of the total bail amount which will not be returned to the defendant when the court ultimately gives back ("exonerates") the bond. For a more in-depth explanation of bail procedures in Nevada go to our article on bail procedures in Nevada.
4) Arraignments in Las Vegas, Nevada
The arraignment (also called "initial arraignment") is usually the first court appearance the defendant makes. Depending on the case the arraignment will always either be in a Nevada justice court or a municipal court.
At the beginning of an arraignment the prosecution presents the defendant with a criminal "complaint" listing the crimes he/she allegedly committed. The defendant then enters a plea of guilty or not guilty. Almost always the defendant pleads "not guilty" even if he/she later takes a plea bargain.
After the defendant enters a plea the judge will set another court appearance. Depending on the case the next appearance will either be a trial or a preliminary hearing. In some cases the judge may instead set the date for a status check or a pretrial to give the parties time to reach a plea bargain. Read further in our article on arraignments in Nevada.
5) Pretrial Conferences in Las Vegas, Nevada
Once the arraignment is over the case enters the pretrial phase. At this time the D.A. gives the defense attorney all their "discovery" which is the evidence they intend to use at trial against the defendant. The D.A. is also obligated to hand over any evidence that could prove helpful to the defendant.
During this time the defense and D.A. have pretrial conferences where they discuss plea bargains. A plea bargain is like "settling out of court" where the defendant agrees to plead guilty (or "no contest), sometimes to reduced charges or for lesser penalties. This way the D.A. wins a conviction, and the defendant receives a laxer sentence than if he/she was found guilty at trial on the original charge.
If the judge accepts the plea bargain the case goes straight to the sentencing stage. But note that a judge has no obligation to agree to the plea bargain (though they usually do). Also note that misdemeanor pleas are handled in justice or municipal court whereas felony pleas are handled in district court. Learn more in our article on pretrial conferences in Nevada.
6) Preliminary Hearings in Las Vegas, Nevada
Preliminary hearings come into play when the defendant is charged with a felony in Nevada. They're like "mini-trials" to help the judge decide whether there's enough evidence for the case to transfer from justice court up to district court (which is the only court that handles felony trials).
Defendants almost always lose the preliminary hearing because the burden of proof is so low. However preliminary hearings are useful because they give the defense a preview of the D.A.'s case and helps them better prepare for a trial and to negotiate a plea bargain.
After a preliminary hearing the judge may either dismiss the charges or allow the case to be "bound over" to district court. The prosecutor may also dismiss, add or amend charges at this time. Read more in our article on preliminary hearings in Nevada.
7) Trials in Las Vegas, Nevada
A case that doesn't get dismissed or resolved by plea bargain goes to trial. Prior to trial each side may file various pretrial motions such as a motion to suppress evidence in Nevada. And even after the trial begins both sides can still agree to a plea bargain up until the verdict is rendered.
Everyone who's charged with a crime in Nevada is entitled to at least a bench trial, which is where the judge and not a jury decides on the verdict. But jury trials are available only to defendants facing more than six months in jail.
Defendants do not have to take the stand during their own trial. They also have the right to call and cross-examine witnesses as well as to introduce evidence. For more information refer to our articles on bench trials in Nevada and jury trials in Nevada.
8) Sentencing in Las Vegas, Nevada
If a defendant pleads guilty to a crime or is found guilty of a crime at trial, the judge will impose a sentence. For minor crimes the sentencing hearing may take place right away. But for felonies the judge may set the sentencing hearing several weeks out to give both sides enough time to prepare.
A sentencing hearing is like a trial except that the issue isn't guilt versus innocence but rather a lighter sentence versus a harsher sentence. Both sides may present witnesses and arguments in support of their position. In felony cases the Nevada Department of Parole & Probation will give a recommendation. At the end the judge will hand down a sentence that may include:
- incarceration,
- fines,
- probation,
- rehab programs,
- community service, and/or
- other court orders
Misdemeanor crimes carry a maximum six months in jail. Gross misdemeanors carry a maximum one year in jail. And felonies can carry anywhere from one year in Nevada State Prison to a life sentence or the death penalty in Nevada depending on the severity of the crime.
Note that felony convictions may carry additional consequences depending on the case such as:
- having to register as a sex offender
- losing the right to possess firearms
- losing the right to vote
In cases where the defendant was convicted of more than one crime, the judge usually retains the discretion to impose the sentences concurrently (so they run at the same time) or consecutively (one after the other). Read more in our informational articles on sentencing in Las Vegas and sentencing hearings in Nevada.
9) Appeals in Las Vegas, Nevada
Defendants who are found guilty of a crime at trial have the right to appeal to a higher court. For instance a case in Clark County District Court may be appealed to the Nevada Supreme Court. But the process is very confusing and complicated, so defendants need counsel to ensure they follow the procedural rules.
Appeals are not the only options defendants have after being convicted at trial. They can also file a motion for a new trial. And if they're in prison defendants can file a writ of habeas corpus protesting their incarceration. Read more about the appeals process at our page on how to appeal a Nevada criminal conviction.
10) Sealing records in Las Vegas, Nevada
Criminal convictions stay on a person's police and court records forever unless they get sealed. Therefore these convictions come up on background checks and may turn off potential employers. But most Nevada crimes may be sealed from a defendant's record after a certain number of years have passed:
- Most misdemeanors in Nevada may be sealed 2 years after the case closes. Two major exceptions are for the Las Vegas crime of DUI and the Las Vegas crime of battery domestic violence.
- Gross misdemeanors in Nevada and Category E felonies in Nevada may be sealed 7 years after the case closes.
- Category D felonies in Nevada and Category C felonies in Nevada may be sealed 12 years after the case closes.
- Category B felonies in Nevada and Category A felonies in Nevada may be sealed 15 years after the case closes.
But note that most sexual offenses and crimes against children can never be sealed. Also the process of sealing criminal records in Las Vegas can be very complicated and may take several months to complete. Learn more about it at our article on sealing criminal records in Nevada.
Arrested? Call for help . . . .
If you've been accused of a crime in Nevada call Las Vegas criminal defense lawyers at 702-DEFENSE (333-3673) for a free consultation. They'll hold your hand through the entire court process and fight for the best possible resolution for your case.
To learn about the California criminal court process, go to our page on the California criminal court process. Learn more in our articles on how to clear an arrest warrant in Nevada, grand juries in Nevada, Nevada crime of jaywalking, Nevada crime of murder, pretrial conferences in Nevada, arraignments in Nevada, motion to suppress evidence in Nevada, bench trials in Nevada, jury trials in Nevada, preliminary hearings in Nevada, sentencing hearings in Nevada, appeals in Nevada, felony in Nevada, sealing criminal records in Nevada, Las Vegas crime of DUI, Las Vegas crime of battery domestic violence, death penalty in Nevada, Misdemeanors in Nevada, Gross misdemeanors in Nevada, Category a felonies in Nevada, Category b felonies in Nevada, Category c felonies in Nevada, Category d felonies in Nevada and Category e felonies in Nevada.
