“Category B Felonies” in Nevada (NRS 193.130)

Category B felonies are the second most serious class of felony crimes in Nevada. It carries a maximum sentence in Nevada State Prison of twenty (20) years.

In the majority of criminal cases, category B felonies can be plea bargained down to a lesser felony, misdemeanor, or possibly a full dismissal. If the criminal defense attorney and D.A. cannot reach a resolution out of court, the defendant may ask for a jury trial.

Many category B convictions may be sealed after a five (5) or ten (10) year waiting period. And non-U.S. citizens accused of category B felonies risk getting deported unless the case gets dropped or changed to a non-deportable crime.

Below our Las Vegas criminal defense attorneys answer frequently-asked-questions about category B felonies in Nevada, including definitions, penalties, and record seal time frames. Click on a topic to go to that section.

• 1. What are Category B felonies in Nevada?
• 2. What are the penalties for a Category B felony in Nevada?
• 3. Can I get a jury trial for a Category B felony in Nevada?
• 4. Can I get a Category B felony sealed?
• 5. Will I get deported for a Category B felony?

1. What are Category B felonies in Nevada?

Category B felonies in Nevada are considered the second most serious offense in the state after category A felonies.¹ Typical category B crimes are:

• Voluntary manslaughter²
• Invasion of the home³
• Grand larceny (if the value of the property is $25,000 or more)⁴
• Second-degree kidnapping⁵
• Robbery⁶

2. What are the penalties for Category B felonies in Nevada?

Category B felonies in Nevada carry the following sentence:

• one to twenty (1 – 20) years in prison, and
• maybe a fine depending on the crime⁷

When a Nevada judge imposes a prison sentence range for a felony conviction, the minimum cannot exceed 40% of the maximum. For example, if a judge orders someone to a maximum prison term of twenty (20) years, the minimum time has to be no more than eight (8) years, which is 40% of twenty (20) years.⁸

3. Can I get a jury trial for a Category B felony in Nevada?

Yes, people facing category B charges in Nevada have the right to a trial by jury.⁹

4. Can I get a Category B felony sealed?

Category B felonies that are violent crimes have a ten (10) year record seal waiting period. Burglary of a residence also carries a ten (10) year record sealing waiting period. This waiting period begins only after the case closes.

Otherwise, category B felonies in Nevada can be sealed five (5) years after the case is closed. But the case can never be sealed if the charge was for:

• sex crimes,
• crimes against children, or
• felony DUI¹⁰

In cases where the category B charge gets dropped (so there is no conviction), the court can comply with a record seal request right away.¹¹

5. Will I get deported for a Category B felony?

Possibly. Many category B felonies qualify as aggravated felonies and/or crimes involving moral turpitude, which are deportable. But if the charges get reduced to a non-deportable offense, alien defendants may be able to stay in the U.S. ¹² Learn more at our informational page on the criminal defense of non-citizens in Nevada.

Phone us for help . . . .

If you are facing Nevada charges for a felony or a misdemeanor, our Las Vegas Criminal Defense Attorneys may be able to get them reduced or dismissed. Call us for a free phone consultation to talk about your case.

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