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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It depends on the case. The Nevada State Board of Pardons Commissioners reviews applications for commutations, and they review each one on its own merits.
A Nevada sentence commutation is when the Pardons Board lessens a defendant’s criminal sentence. A defendant’s eligibility for a modified sentence depends on whether the defendant is presently:
Nevada prisoners may be eligible for commutation unless they are up for parole less than one (1) year after the date of the next Pardons Board meeting. However, even prisoners who are eligible for parole soon may get considered for a commutation if they can demonstrate “extraordinary circumstances.”
In general, the Nevada Pardons Board can consider commuting the sentences for Nevada parolees if either:
But note that the Board will not consider commuting these parolees’ sentences if:
The Board may commute a defendant’s death sentence down to a sentence that allows for parole if either:
The Board may commute a defendant’s sentence for life without the possibility of parole down to a sentence that allows parole if either:
Defendants seeking commutation may get applications from the Nevada Department of Corrections. The application requires the following information:
The defendant has to then submit the application to the Board no earlier than 90 days prior to the Board’s next meeting. When the Board elects to consider a commutation application, it must let the district attorney and judge in the case know so the district attorney can provide a written statement about the case.
The general public can also supply input in support of or in opposition to a commutation through fax at 775-687-6736 or the mail at:
Nevada Pardons Board
ATTN: Office of the Executive Secretary
1667 Old Hot Springs Rd Suite A,
Carson City, NV 89706.
A commutation is granted whenever the governor and at least four (4) Board members agree to it.
Note that commutations are completely separate from pardons. A commutation lessens defendants’ remaining criminal sentences. In contrast, a pardon “forgives” defendants of their past crime(s) after they already finished serving the criminal sentence.
In some cases, pardons can even restore a person’s firearm rights. Commutation never restores gun rights. Learn more about applying for a pardon in Nevada.
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.