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.
24/7 Help:
(702) 529-2350
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.
Call Us NowPosted on
Yes. In 2015, the Nevada Legislature created the new crime of “housebreaking.” “Housebreaking” under Nevada law is entering a vacant dwelling for the purpose of unlawful residency (“squatting”). The elements of housebreaking under NRS 205.0813 are:
Examples of dwellings are houses, hotel rooms, dorms, houseboats, motor homes, and guesthouses. A person can still be convicted of housebreaking even if he/she does not end up squatting there. This is very similar to the Nevada crime of home invasion. Both crimes require forced entry. The difference is that with home invasion cases are not usually concerned with the perpetrator taking up residence in the dwelling.
A first housebreaking conviction is a gross misdemeanor carrying up to 364 days in jail, and/or a fine of up to $2,000. A second or subsequent housebreaking offense is a category D felony carrying 1-4 years in Nevada State Prison, and maybe a fine of up to $5,000. And if the defendant has three or more housebreaking convictions, the court must sentence him/her to prison.
Common housebreaking defenses include that the building does not qualify as a dwelling, there was no forcible entry, there was no intent to squat, or the suspect reasonably believed he/she had permission to enter. For more information, see our article, “Is squatting a crime 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, Court TV, 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.
A criminal protective order (sometimes called a CPO) is an order a judge enters to protect either the victim of a crime or a witness to a crime. These persons are often referred to as protected persons. The orders protect the protected person from an aggressor, usually a defendant in a criminal case. CPOs are ...
When you’ve been pulled over, detained by police, or arrested in San Diego, it can be a bad situation. The last thing you want to do is make it worse. If your emotions get the better of you, or forget your constitutional rights, however, that’s exactly what can happen. Here are three things you definitely ...
California law classifies prescription medications as “controlled substances” that are subject to the same laws as illegal drugs like heroin and cocaine. Illegal Possession of Prescription Drugs in California California Health and Safety Code Section 11350 makes it a crime to possess a prescription drug with no valid prescription, to possess more of the drug ...
Nevada State Prison as a possible punishment. But five other, lesser-known Nevada offenses also carry potential life in prison, including: Attempt murder by poison Sexual abuse of a child under 14 causing substantial bodily or mental harm Involuntary servitude of minors Child pornography Battery with intent to commit sexual assault 1. Attempted murder by poison ...