Nevada “Probation Revocation Hearings” (NRS 176A)

Updated July 1, 2020

If you are accused of violating your probation, you are entitled to a “probation revocation hearing.” At the hearing, your attorney may defend your actions and argue for you to remain on probation. If the judge rules against you and revokes your probation, you may face stiff penalties such as prison.

In this article, our Las Vegas criminal defense attorneys discuss probation revocation hearings in Nevada and possible winning strategies.

What is probation in Las Vegas, NV?

If you are convicted of a crime in Las Vegas, in many cases the judge may impose probation instead of-or along with-incarceration. The purpose of probation is to rehabilitate instead of just to punish. Typical probation terms may include:

• educational classes (such as Nevada DUI School for violating Las Vegas DUI law)
• counseling (such as Narcotics Anonymous for violating Las Vegas drug possession law)
• restraining orders in Nevada (such as for violating Las Vegas domestic violence law)
• monetary fines and/or restitution
• community service
• a judicial order to “stay out of trouble” (meaning that people on probation may not be arrested or cited)
• random drug testing
• regular court appearances
• electronic monitoring and intensive supervision
• regular meetings with a probation officer–commonly abbreviated “P.O.” (only in felony and gross misdemeanor cases)
• a “suspended sentence” of jail or prison that will be imposed if you violate probation

Probation is a possible alternative penalty in the majority of Nevada cases. Probation may last for up to 12 months for gross misdemeanors, 18 months for category E felonies, 24 months for category D or E felonies, 36 months for category B felonies, and 60 months for violent or sex offenses. But note that judges may not grant probation in very serious felony cases such as:

• the Nevada crime of murder
• the Nevada crime of first-degree kidnapping
• the Nevada crime of sexual assault
• the Nevada crime of attempted sexual assault of a child under 16
• the Nevada crime of lewdness with a child
• the Nevada crime of being a habitual criminal

The downside to probation is that the judge may “revoke” your probation if the court determines that you have violated its terms. Once your probation gets revoked in Las Vegas, the judge may then impose incarceration–up to the maximum sentence for the conviction offenses(s).

What is a probation violation?

Like it sounds, a probation violation is when you allegedly defy a term of your probation in Nevada. Typical probation violations that our Las Vegas criminal defense attorney see include:

• not paying a court-ordered fine or restitution
• not appearing for a mandatory court date
• not reporting to your probation officer
• getting arrested or cited for another crime while on probation (in most cases getting parking tickets or minor speeding tickets will not violate probation)
• refusing to submit to or failing a mandatory drug test
• failure to comply with a court order

Certain violations are called “technical violations.” These mean any alleged violation of the conditions of probation that does not constitute absconding (actively avoiding supervision by eluding the P.O. for at least 60 days) and is not the commission of a:

If the police or prosecutors have probable cause to believe that you may have violated the terms of your probation, one of three things may happen:

• the police may arrest you and take you before a judge (depending on the circumstances, you may or may not be able to post bail),
• you are mailed a “summons” to appear in court on a certain date, or
• the judge issues a bench warrant in Nevada for your arrest (in this case, tell your attorneys as soon as possible so they can try to get the warrant “quashed,” which is the legal term for “thrown out”).

Note that probationers arrested on a technical violation must be brought before a judge within 15 days. Otherwise, they must be returned to probation until there can be a hearing.

If the judge finds that one or more technical violations have occurred, the court may:

Note that courts may not revoke probation because of the following violations by themselves:

Once you (or your attorney) goes before the judge, he/she may then schedule a hearing to determine whether you have violated probation. In the meantime, you should continue carrying out the terms of your probation . . . the judge will be more likely to take your side if you show you are serious about completing probation.

What is a probation revocation hearing?

A probation revocation hearing (also called a “probation violation hearing” or a “revo hearing”) is like a mini-trial. But there is no jury, only a judge. And instead of determining guilt or innocence of a crime, it is meant to determine whether you have violated your probation.

You have many of the same rights at a probation revocation hearing that you do in trial, such as:

• the right to testify
• the right to be represented by a lawyer
• the right to call and cross-examine witnesses
• the right to present evidence

Note that probation revocation hearings are harder to win than regular trials. Unlike trials, prosecutors do not have to prove beyond a reasonable doubt that you violated probation. Instead they merely need to prove it by a preponderance of the evidence. Our LV criminal defense attorneys work hard to craft the best defense possible in probation revocation hearings.

When the hearing ends, the judge will make a finding about whether you violated probation. If the judge rules in your favor, your probation will be “reinstated” and everything will go on as before. If not, the judge may either modify the terms of the probation to make it harsher or else revoke probation altogether.

What happens if my probation is revoked in Las Vegas, NV?

Some period of incarceration and/or residential confinement (“house arrest”) is the typical penalty for having your probation revoked. In determining the final sentence the judge considers such factors as:

• how serious your alleged violation was
• your criminal record
• how long you have successfully complied with your probation terms before the alleged violation occurred
• recommendations by the Nevada Department of Parole and Probation

Also see our article on discharge from probation in Nevada (NRS 176A.850).

Can I choose not to do probation in Las Vegas, NV?

Sure. Some people would rather just do time in custody instead of juggling their daily life with probation responsibilities. However, prison is extremely unpleasant and carries a social stigma. Given the choice, it is always recommended that you do probation instead of incarceration.

For more information contact our Las Vegas criminal defense attorneys.

For information about California probation violation hearings, go to our site on California probation violation hearings.

For information about Colorado probation, go to our site about Colorado probation.