Nevada Blog - Page 16

Is “housebreaking” different from “squatting” in Nevada law?

Posted on December 13, 2016 | Category: Criminal Defense

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: the suspect forcibly enters an uninhabited or vacant dwelling, and the suspect knows (or has reason to believe) that such …

Can I go to jail for “squatting” in Nevada?

Posted on December 12, 2016 | Category: Criminal Defense

Yes. Squatting in Nevada subjects the alleged squatter to not only civil lawsuits but also criminal charges. Squatting prosecutions have been on the rise due to the increasing number of unoccupied homes in Nevada as a result of the 2008 housing crash. With so many empty houses in the valley, it may be easy for …

Is Internet Trolling a Crime in Nevada?

Posted on December 8, 2016 | Category: Criminal Defense

In a recent survey, 28% of Americans admitted they had directed malicious online activity at someone they didn’t know. In many cases, such activity is protected by the First Amendment. But in other cases, such activity can subject you to a lawsuit or a criminal prosecution. Malicious online activity can take various forms in Nevada, including: Trolling, …

I Committed a Crime in Nevada a Long Time Ago. Can I Still Be Charged?

Posted on November 30, 2016 | Category: Criminal Defense

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 …

How Your Social Media Posts Can Hurt Your Defense in Nevada

Posted on November 8, 2016 | Category: Laws

What you post on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, or on any other social media can and will be used against you in a court of law. Reviewing Social Media is Standard Operating Procedure for Law Enforcement If you have been charged with a crime, or if police are conducting a pre-file investigation, they will scour the …

8 Questions to Ask Your Potential Lawyer in Nevada

Posted on October 16, 2016 | Category: Personal Injury

So, you may have recently found yourself in a situation where you need a lawyer. Maybe you have just been arrested, maybe you have decided on a divorce, or maybe you have issues related to immigration or a personal injury. No matter the reason, legal matters are never easy to deal with. That is why …

What is the Difference Between Graffiti and Vandalism in Las Vegas?

Posted on October 13, 2016 | Category: Vandalism

If you saw a building in Las Vegas that had been “tagged” with spray paint or was otherwise defaced, you could say that the building had been vandalized and covered with graffiti. But there is a difference between graffiti and vandalism in Las Vegas. They are actually two separate and distinct criminal offenses in Nevada. …

Can I be fired (or fire someone) in Nevada for crossdressing at work?

Posted on September 28, 2016 | Category: Employment Law

Gender identity and your rights in the Nevada workplace Both Nevada and federal law prohibit discrimination on the basis of gender or gender identity or expression, including by reason of transgender status or sexual orientation. Gender identity is a person’s internal sense of being male or female. Gender expression includes external personal characteristics associated with …

Leaving Your Child in a Cold Car in Nevada Can Be a Crime

Posted on September 25, 2016 | Category: Criminal Defense

While Nevada’s deserts may be known for their heat, residents know that during the winter things can get very cold, especially at night. If you leave your child unattended in a car when it’s extremely cold, you could face Nevada criminal charges. “Knowingly and Intentionally” Leaving a Child Unattended in a Car is a Crime …

The origin of the term “blackmail” (extortion)

Posted on September 20, 2016 | Category: Extortion

A medieval word, an ancient crime The word “blackmail” dates back to the 16th century and possibly earlier. As originally used, mail probably referred to rent paid to a landlord. When paid in silver, mail was known as reditus albi or blanche firmes — in English “white” (silver) mail or rent. Reditus nigri — “black” mail or …

When can I use someone else’s photos on my blog or social media page?

Posted on September 19, 2016 | Category: Laws

The United States Copyright Act generally prohibits the copying of other people’s creative content. Photos are no exception. It doesn’t matter whether the copyright holder has registered the image for copyright protection. The copyright in photos and other artwork exists automatically from the moment of their creation. What constitutes a copyright violation? Copyright violations in …

Do I Need to Get Out of My Car If a Nevada Police Officer Orders Me To?

Posted on August 21, 2016 | Category: Laws

If you find yourself pulled over by a Nevada police officer, the police are not violating your constitutional rights by telling you to exit your car. Irrespective of whether you think the traffic stop was justified, you are usually not within your rights to decline a police officer’s order to exit your car. We all …

And the greatest literary lawyer of all time is…

Posted on August 17, 2016 | Category: Personal Injury

No, not Atticus Finch from To Kill a Mockingbird. Our choice for the top literary lawyer of all-time technically isn’t even a lawyer. Nor is she a man, a requirement for the practice of law in William Shakespeare’s day. We’re talking about Portia from Shakespeare’s play The Merchant of Venice. The Merchant of Venice, one …

Four Reasons Not to Use a Las Vegas Public Defender

Posted on August 17, 2016 | Category: Criminal Defense

If you are facing criminal charges in Las Vegas, you should explore your options for legal representation before going with a Las Vegas public defender. “You have the right to an attorney. If you can’t afford an attorney, one will be appointed to represent you…” You may be familiar with this portion of the Miranda …

A Las Vegas Animal Cruelty Conviction Can Result in Significant Jail Time

Posted on July 21, 2016 | Category: Laws

If you abuse or mistreat an animal in Las Vegas, be prepared to go to jail. Nevada animal cruelty laws make it clear that abuse, mistreatment, or neglect of animals in the state are treated very seriously. The consequences of a conviction for an offense involving animal cruelty in Las Vegas can include significant jail time, …

Reno, Nevada Hit-and-Run: Leaving the Scene Can Leave You in Big Trouble

Posted on May 27, 2016 | Category: Hit and Run Accidents

Hit-and-run in Reno is a serious offense. The consequences of leaving an accident scene or failing to lend assistance to others who may be injured can result in stiff penalties, including jail time. There are actually many different hit-and-run laws. Whether you are charged with a misdemeanor or a felony largely depends on whether the …

What Will Get Me Charged with Distracted Driving in Henderson, Nevada?

Posted on May 23, 2016 | Category: Distracted Driving

Distracted driving is a serious safety issue in Henderson, Nevada and throughout the state. Driving while distracted causes more than 3,500 accidents every year on Nevada’s roads and highways according to the Nevada Department of Transportation and Nevada Department of Public Safety. Most of the attention on distracted driving, and the focus of Nevada’s distracted driving …

What is a “Ponzi scheme” in Las Vegas, Nevada?

Posted on May 20, 2016 | Category: Criminal Defense

A “Ponzi scheme” in Las Vegas, Nevada is a complex type of financial fraud that, when it collapses and is exposed, can lead to serious criminal charges and decades behind bars. As defined and described by the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, a Ponzi scheme is: “an investment fraud that involves the payment of purported returns …

What is the Legal Blood Alcohol Content (BAC) Limit in Reno/Sparks, Nevada?

Posted on May 19, 2016 | Category: Laws

The legal alcohol limit in Reno/Sparks when you’re behind the wheel depends on who you are. The allowable blood alcohol concentration (BAC) levels for drivers in Nevada are different for drivers of passenger vehicles, for holders of commercial driver’s (CDL) licenses, and for those under 21 years-old. If your BAC is determined to be above …

What Happens to a Minor Caught Gambling in a Las Vegas Casino?

Posted on May 13, 2016 | Category: Misdemeanor

If you are under the age of 21 and decide to try your luck in a Las Vegas casino, you are committing a criminal offense and could lose more than a few chips if you’re convicted. The legal age for gambling in the state of Nevada is 21. NRS 463.350 provides that a person under …

A Prank 911 Call in Reno, Nevada Has Serious Consequences

Posted on May 8, 2016 | Category: Criminal Defense

Every few months it seems, there is a story in the news about someone calling 911 to complain about a pizza delivery order or for some other reason which is clearly not an emergency. Individuals also will call 911 to falsely report an emergency, also known as “swatting.” If you call 911 in Reno, Nevada …

What Happens If You Violate a Domestic Violence Restraining Order in Washoe County, Nevada?

Posted on May 4, 2016 | Category: Domestic Violence

When someone has been accused or convicted of domestic violence in Washoe County, Nevada, a judge may enter a restraining order prohibiting the accused from having contact with their accuser or other individuals, among other limits that can be placed on their conduct. If that restraining order is violated, that violation is a separate criminal …

What is “Rioting” in Las Vegas?

Posted on May 2, 2016 | Category: Laws

Vehicle Code 23152 VC California’s DUI law and Penal Code 148 PC California’s “resisting arrest” law are frequently charged in the same criminal complaint. Often times a person who is intoxicated may be less inhibited than a sober person and may therefore feel more comfortable resisting or otherwise obstructing the officer who is trying to …

“Hoarding” in Henderson, Nevada Can Be Charged as a Public Nuisance

Posted on April 21, 2016 | Category: Criminal Defense

If you or someone you know in Henderson, Nevada is a “hoarder,” criminal charges can be added to the pile of problems created by this challenging mental illness. The Mayo Clinic defines “hoarding disorder” as: “a persistent difficulty discarding or parting with possessions because of a perceived need to save them. A person with hoarding …

Federal Robbery Charges in Reno, Nevada

Posted on April 18, 2016 | Category: Robbery

If you rob a liquor store, clothing boutique, or most other businesses in Reno, Nevada, you will face charges and possible conviction under Nevada’s robbery statute. Robbery, like most crimes, is usually governed by state criminal law. However, if you rob certain places or individuals in Reno, you could actually face federal criminal charges. If …

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