“Category C Felonies” in Nevada (NRS 193.130)

Updated July 1, 2020

Category C felonies are the third most serious class of felony crimes in Nevada. The maximum punishment Nevada courts may impose is:

• five (5) years in Nevada State Prison, and
• maybe $10,000 in fines

In many cases, it may be possible to plea bargain a category C charge down to a more minor offense or case dismissal. If the D.A. will not settle the case, the defendant may demand a jury trial.

There is a five (5) year waiting period to seal category C convictions in Nevada. And aliens charged with category C felonies risk being deported unless the case gets dismissed or changed to a non-deportable offense.

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

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

1. What are Category C felonies in Nevada?

Category C felonies are the “middle-ground” class of crimes in Nevada between “category A” and “category E” felonies.¹ Some of the most frequently prosecuted category C felonies are:

• A third offense of battery domestic violence (that does not result in substantial bodily harm)²
• Grand larceny (if the value of the property is from $5,000 to under $25,000)³
• Buying or receiving stolen goods (if the value of the property is from $5,000 to under $25,000)⁴
• Cyber-stalking (with use of the internet, text-messaging or similar device)⁵
• Violating an extended protective order (for protection of children)⁶

Note that Nevada D.A.s prosecute attempts to commit a category C felony as “wobblers.” Wobblers may be treated as either a category D felony or a gross misdemeanor.⁷ Learn more about Nevada wobbler offenses.

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

Category C felonies in Clark County carry a sentence of:

• one to five (1 -- 5) years in prison, and
• maybe a fine of up to $10,000⁸

When the court imposes a prison sentence for a Nevada felony conviction, the minimum time range may not exceed 40% of the maximum time. For example if the maximum prison time is five (5) years, the minimum time cannot be more than two (2) years, which is 40% of five (5) years.⁹

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

Any person who is charged with a category C felony in Nevada has the right to a trial by jury.¹⁰

4. Can I get a Category C felony sealed?

Yes, a category C felony conviction can usually be sealed five (5) years after the sentence ends. But note that violent felony crimes have a ten (10) year waiting period. And the following offenses may never get sealed:

• sex crimes,
• crimes against a child, or
• felony DUI¹¹

If the case results in a dismissal (which means there is no finding of guilt), the defendant does not have to wait to get a record seal for a category C felony charge.¹²

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

Aliens charged with category C felonies in Nevada risk deportation from the U.S. if the crime qualifies as either a:

• crime involving moral turpitude, and/or
• aggravated felony¹³

But it may be possible to persuade the prosecutor to lower the charge to a non-deportable offense or a dismissal. Learn more about immigration law at our informational page on the criminal defense of immigrants.

Contact our Nevada criminal defense attorneys for a free consultation..

Legal References