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.
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It is not unheard of for criminal defendants to refuse to enter a plea when asked by a judge to do so. A recent example is the Nevada rancher Cliven Bundy, who refused to enter a plea in federal court to criminal charges that he that he led an armed standoff against federal agents in 2014.
After you’ve been arrested and charged with a Las Vegas criminal offense, your first court appearance will usually be at your arraignment (also called “initial arraignment”). 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.
If the defendant refuses to enter a plea, the judge will likely enter a “not guilty” plea on their behalf. If the defendant indicates that he or she does not want to enter a plea because they want to speak with an attorney and have not had the opportunity to do so, the judge can delay the arraignment and reschedule to another date to give the defendant the chance to consult with counsel.
You should never enter a plea without first speaking with an attorney if at all possible. If you have been arrested in Las Vegas and are facing criminal charges, you need an attorney immediately. Please give one of our skilled and experienced Las Vegas criminal defense attorneys a call as soon as possible to discuss your case.
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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.
With the exception of extremely violent crimes, you might be able to escape prosecution in Nevada if enough time has passed since you committed the offense. The majority of Nevada crimes have statutes of limitations, which spell out a time limit during which a D.A. may press charges for it. Whenever a prosecutor files charges ...
We all have a constitutional right to a fair trial. When events happen during the course of a California criminal trial which put that right at risk, or if a jury is unable to reach a verdict, the judge may declare a mistrial. What is a “Mistrial”? Just like a “misfire” of a gun is ...
Nevada law under NRS 193.120 classifies crimes as either misdemeanors, gross misdemeanors, or felonies. Nevada felonies, in turn, are subdivided into five categories from E (the least serious) to A (the most serious). Misdemeanors NRS 193.120 defines misdemeanors as any crime where the maximum penalty of incarceration is six (6) months in the county jail. In practice, ...
Whether you think it is justified or not, being pulled over by police is an unpleasant experience. While it is never fun, keeping the following things in mind can make the process go a whole lot easier: Don’t Coast: If you see lights behind you, do not coast for a few blocks while you find ...