In this section, our attorneys explain Nevada’s criminal laws and legal concepts, A to Z
Criminal Law A to Z
In this section, our attorneys explain Nevada’s criminal laws and legal concepts, A to Z
Crimes by NRS Section
Every crime in Nevada is based in a section of the Nevada Revised Statutes (NRS). For each crime, our attorneys explain the laws, penalties and best defenses to fight the charge.
Nevada DUI
Getting arrested for DUI does not mean you will be convicted. Police misconduct, defective breathalyzers and crime lab mistakes may be enough to get your charges lessened or dismissed. Visit our page on Nevada DUI Laws to learn more.
Post-Conviction
Even if you’ve already been convicted of a crime, there is still much you can do to seal your record and restore your rights. Our attorneys explain how.
Please note: Our firm only handles criminal and DUI cases, and only in California. We do not handle any of the following cases:
And we do not handle any cases outside of California.
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The City of Las Vegas has a new vagrancy law under 10.86.010 called the encampment ordinance. This new law makes it a misdemeanor for people to sleep or otherwise camp out in certain areas if there is space available at shelters. Penalties under this new ordinance include up to 6 months in jail and/or up to $1,000 in fines. The prohibited areas include:
In addition, Nevada has a vagrancy statute under NRS 207.030 which is enforced throughout the state, including Las Vegas. Also misdemeanor, vagrancy is a very broad law that prohibits such as acts as prostitution, pimping, keeping stolen property, loitering in public restrooms for sex, and lodging in buildings without permission.
The penalties for violating vagrancy laws depend on the specific act:
Act of Vagrancy | Penalties under Nevada Law* |
Offering or agreeing to engage in – or actually engaging in – lewd or dissolute conduct in any public place or in any place open to the public or exposed to public view.
or Offering or agreeing to engage in – or actually engaging in – or aiding and abetting any act of prostitution. or Being a pimp, panderer or procurer – or living in or about houses of prostitution. |
First offense in three years Misdemeanor:
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Second offense in three years Misdemeanor:
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Third offense in three years Misdemeanor:
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Seeking admission to a house on frivolous pretexts for no other apparent motive other than to see who or what may be there. | Misdemeanor:
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Keeping a place where lost or stolen property is concealed. | Misdemeanor:
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Loitering in or about any public restroom for the purpose of engaging in or soliciting any lewd or lascivious or any unlawful act. | Misdemeanor:
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Lodging in any public or private building, structure or place in either of the following circumstances:
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Misdemeanor:
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*Defendants convicted on more than one count of being a vagrant must serve their sentences consecutively, not concurrently. In addition, able-bodied people jailed for vagrancy may be required to perform labor on the public works, buildings, grounds, or ways in the county. Defendants will receive two days’ credit for each day worked. |
In practice, police officers only arrest people on vagrancy charges when there are no other, more specific crimes that apply. For instance, alleged prostitutes typically get charged with prostitution (NRS 201.354). Alleged pimps typically get charged with pimping (NRS 201.320) and pandering (NRS 201.300(1)). And people who keep stolen property typically get charged with receipt of stolen property (NRS 205.275).
Note that local governments may enact an ordinance which regulates the time, place or manner in which homeless people or the needy may beg or solicit alms in public areas or public spaces.
A former Los Angeles prosecutor, attorney Neil Shouse graduated with honors from UC Berkeley and Harvard Law School (and completed additional graduate studies at MIT). He has been featured on CNN, Good Morning America, Dr Phil, The Today Show and Court TV. Mr Shouse has been recognized by the National Trial Lawyers as one of the Top 100 Criminal and Top 100 Civil Attorneys.