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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People who are legally allowed to possess firearms may open carry handguns in a vehicle in Nevada. No permit or registration is required. The carrier just needs to make sure the vehicle is in a location where guns are permitted. The carrier also needs to make sure the gun remains visible to others.
In order to conceal carry handguns in vehicles, a current and valid CCW permit is required. Carrying a gun concealed without a permit (NRS 202.350) is a category C felony. The penalty includes:
“Carrying” refers to keeping a gun on one’s body. So no CCW permit is required to keep a gun out-of-sight under the seat or in the glove box, trunk, case, bag, etc. It is also legal to keep guns in plain view. Examples include on the seat or in the center console or cup holder.
Note that it is not legal to keep a loaded rifle or shotgun in the car (with few exceptions). Long guns can have a loaded magazine. But they may not have a cartridge in the chamber.
Generally, it is legal to keep loaded handguns in a car. But note that Red Rock National Conservation Area prohibits having loaded firearms (in cars or while carrying).
State and federal laws forbid certain people from possessing guns, in vehicles or otherwise. These include:
Being an ex-felon in possession of a firearm (NRS 202.360) is a category B felony. The penalty includes:
There are certain places where guns are prohibited in Nevada, even in parking lots. Examples include (with some exceptions):
People may be able to get written permission to carry guns in these locations from the owner or another person of authority. But this is rarely done.
People have no duty to inform police during traffic stops that they have a firearm. But people who are carrying concealed must present their CCW permit if asked.
It is a misdemeanor to drive while under the influence with a blood alcohol content of 0.08% or higher. (It becomes a felony if there was a serious injury or more than two prior DUIs in the last seven years). If the defendant also has a gun in the car, he/she faces the additional penalty of possessing a gun while under the influence (NRS 202.257). This is a misdemeanor, carrying:
The defendant may also have to forfeit the gun.
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.
If the witness had been subpoenaed to appear in a Colorado court, then failing to appear can result in that witness being held in contempt. This means that the witness could be arrested, jailed, and fined. If the witness was not subpoenaed, then he/she faces no consequences for not showing up to court. Subpoenas in ...
If a restraining order has been issued against you in Nevada, it is possible to get the restraining order lifted or dissolved. Only a Nevada court may lift or dissolve a Nevada restraining order, often referred to as a protection order in the state court system. A Nevada restraining order can only be lifted by ...
Persons detained by the police for suspected criminal activity should never give a statement. Whether you are being detained for a simple traffic violation or for a serious crime, do not make a statement. You should always invoke your right to remain silent. 1. Do the police always have to read people their Miranda rights? ...
Yes. Dumpster diving is unlawful both in the City of Las Vegas and throughout Clark County. Rummaging through other people’s trash is prosecuted as a misdemeanor, carrying a maximum punishment of: $1,000 in fines, and/or 6 months in jail The legal term for dumpster diving is “interference with or removal of containers.”1 What is dumpster ...