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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The Nevada smoking age is 21 years old. The minimum tobacco age limit was recently raised from 18 years old to 21 years old to align with federal law.1
The purpose of the new laws raising the state- and federal minimum age to sell tobacco products and purchase tobacco products is to
Note that “smoking” includes not only cigarettes but also any sort of tobacco use including
Currently, it is not a Nevada crime for 18-, 19- or 20-year-olds to smoke. But minors under 18 years of age (typically high-school students) caught smoking face juvenile delinquency citations.3
However, it is a misdemeanor to smoke in a prohibited location (listed below) – whether or not the smoker is of legal age. Misdemeanors carry
It is also unlawful to give tobacco products (including cigarette papers) to young adults under 21 or to allow people under 21 to buy tobacco products. Penalties for the unlawful giving or sale of tobacco products include
Nevada state law allows indoor tobacco smoking in these locations:
Smoking is also allowed outdoors under Nevada law. But businesses have the authority to prohibit smoking on their premises, including in their outdoor areas.6
Smoking is legal on casino floors where minors are not allowed.
Cigarette use (including vapor products) is not allowed in indoor places of employment (see the previous section for exceptions). For example, Nevada tobacco law prohibits smoking in the indoor areas of:
Depending on the circumstances of the case, possible defenses to Nevada smoking charges include:
Note that it is not a defense that a non-smoking venue neglected to post “no smoking” signs. People are presumed to know where they can lawfully smoke.
Learn more about Nevada’s “no smoking” laws. And read our article Can I smoke tobacco everywhere in Las Vegas?
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.