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.
Call Us NowPosted on
Nevada presentence investigations (PSIs) are reports conducted by the Division of Parole and Probation (NPP) on each defendant who gets convicted of a felony. First the NPP interviews the defendant. Then it composes the PSI report for the court, which relies on it to determine criminal sentences and whether the defendant can get probation instead of a term of imprisonment.
Any defendants convicted a felony in a criminal case gets a PSI, with one exception: Defendants convicted of a category E felony get PSIs only if:
- The District Court judge requests it; or
- The defendant was on felony probation when he/she allegedly committed the category E felony; or
- The defendant previously violated the terms of felony probation; or
- The defendant did not complete court-ordered rehab; or
- The defendant has at least two prior felony convictions
Note that judges can request PSIs in gross misdemeanors cases.
PSI reports include all of the following information about the defendant:
Note that psychosexual evaluations are done in cases where:
It is not necessary for the PSI report to contain recommendations for prison terms and fines or regimental discipline programs. The judge will reference any sentencing guidelines and knows what the maximum term and minimum terms allowed are.
Depending on the case, the following NPP staff conduct and compose the PSI reports:
Specialists rely on this questionnaire to compile background information. Specialists also interview the defendant’s victims, if any.
The following parties are given the PSI report:
Upon request, the NPP will also supply the report to:
Otherwise, PSI reports should remain confidential.
Defendants get access to their PSIs about 14 days before the sentencing hearing. But note the presentence investigation report does not have to be done prior to sentencing if either:
Category E defendants not eligible for a PSI instead get a “general investigation report” within 45 days after sentencing. This includes such information as:
Yes. PSI reports may also be used for the following purposes:
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.