Nevada Criminal Defense Attorneys

At DearLegal, we connect you with experienced Nevada criminal defense attorneys who navigate the state’s Category A-E felony grading, habitual criminal enhancements under NRS 207.010, deferred and conditional sentencing, and Nevada’s expanding record-sealing framework under NRS 179.245. Whether your case is in Clark County (Las Vegas), Washoe (Reno), Carson City, or anywhere across Nevada’s 17 counties, we’ll match you with the right attorney — at no cost to get started.

No. Politely decline and ask for an attorney. LVMPD, NHP, Washoe County Sheriff, and federal agents in Nevada use trained interrogation. Anything you say is admissible. Invoke your Fifth Amendment right to silence and Nev. Const. Art. 1, § 8(1) right against self-incrimination.

Yes. Nevada misdemeanors carry up to 6 months in county jail and $1,000 fines under NRS 193.150. Gross misdemeanors up to 364 days. Pretrial Diversion and Conditional Discharge (NRS 458.300) for drug possession can result in dismissal. DV and DUI convictions trigger major collateral consequences.

State cases go through Nevada District Court (felonies/gross misdemeanors) or Justice Court / Municipal Court (misdemeanors). Federal cases go to U.S. District Court for the District of Nevada (Las Vegas, Reno) under the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines. Federal cases commonly involve I-15 / I-80 drug trafficking, § 922(g) firearm cases, federal fraud, and casino/financial crimes.

Nevada plea agreements under NRS 174.061 et seq. are negotiated between the District Attorney and defense. Pleas can include charge reductions, Conditional Discharge (NRS 458.300), Specialty Court entry (drug court, mental health court, veterans court), and stipulated sentence recommendations.

Yes — NRS 179.245-.301 provides broad sealing. Most misdemeanors after 1-2 years post-completion; gross misdemeanors after 2; Category D/E felonies after 5; Category C after 7; Category B after 10. Murder First-Degree, certain sex offenses, DV, and certain felony DUIs are excluded.

Nevada handles juveniles under 18 in juvenile court under NRS 62A et seq. Records are confidential. Sealing under NRS 62H.130 — many juvenile records automatically sealed at 21. Certification to adult court for juveniles 14+ for serious felonies under NRS 62B.390.

Nevada DUI under NRS 484C.110 uses .08 BAC (.04 commercial, .02 under-21). Implied consent under NRS 484C.160 — refusal triggers automatic license revocation. Mandatory IID for many offenses under NRS 484C.460. Third DUI in 7 years is a Category B felony.

Why Do You Need a Criminal Defense Attorney in Nevada?

Nevada grades felonies as Category A (life with parole, life without parole, or death), Category B (1-20+ years), Category C (1-5), Category D (1-4), and Category E (1-4, presumptive probation) under NRS 193.130. Murder First-Degree is death-eligible (Nevada retains the death penalty). Nevada has habitual criminal enhancement under NRS 207.010 — defendant with two prior felonies faces 5-20 years; three priors (one violent) faces 10-25, life. Nevada legalized recreational marijuana in 2016 (Question 2, effective January 2017, codified at NRS 678 et seq.) — adults 21+ can possess up to 1 oz cannabis, 1/8 oz concentrate. Medical cannabis since 2000. Nevada sealing under NRS 179.245-.301 has been expanded multiple times — most misdemeanors after 1-2 years, gross misdemeanors after 2 years, Category D/E felonies after 5 years, Category C after 7, Category B after 10. Many serious offenses excluded. Conditional Discharge under NRS 458.300 for drug possession allows dismissal upon successful completion. Nevada District Attorneys plea-bargain extensively, and Clark County (Las Vegas) processes the highest criminal volume.

When Do You Need a Criminal Defense Attorney in Nevada?

Our network includes Nevada criminal defense attorneys who handle every kind of case, including:

Types of Criminal Defense Cases in Nevada

From the moment you connect with a Nevada criminal defense attorney, they go to work protecting your claim. The most common case types we handle:

Talking to LVMPD, NHP, sheriffs, or any Nevada officer without an attorney

Consenting to a search of your car, home, or phone

Missing a Nevada court date — bench warrants and bail forfeiture follow

Posting about the case on social media — Nevada DAs subpoena platforms aggressively

Deleting messages or photos from your phone — Tampering with Evidence (NRS 199.220) is a Category D felony

Accepting the DA’s first plea offer without exploring Conditional Discharge, specialty courts, or charge reduction

Talking to LVMPD, NHP, sheriffs, or any Nevada officer without an attorney

Consenting to a search of your car, home, or phone

Missing a Nevada court date — bench warrants and bail forfeiture follow

Posting about the case on social media — Nevada DAs subpoena platforms aggressively

Deleting messages or photos from your phone — Tampering with Evidence (NRS 199.220) is a Category D felony

Accepting the DA’s first plea offer without exploring Conditional Discharge, specialty courts, or charge reduction

Common Nevada Criminal Defense Mistakes

Even a small misstep can hurt your case. Here’s what to avoid:

How Much Do Nevada Criminal Defense Attorneys Cost?

Flat Fee

Most matters are billed as a flat fee per petition or filing — fee depends on case complexity.

Criminal defense attorneys in Nevada work on hourly or flat-fee retainers — contingency fees are prohibited in criminal cases under Nev. RPC 1.5(d) and ABA Model Rule 1.5(d). Misdemeanors and most felonies are flat-fee; complex cases use hourly billing. The Clark County Public Defender, Washoe County Public Defender, and Nevada State Public Defender (for rural counties) represent indigent defendants.

What Can Your Nevada Criminal Defense Compensation Include?

Charge Dismissal

Outright dismissal through motion to suppress, writ of habeas corpus challenging probable cause, speedy trial under NRS 178.556 (60-day rule for in-custody indictees), or DA nolle prosequi.

Charge Reduction

Reduction from felony to gross misdemeanor or misdemeanor, from higher Category to lower, removal of habitual criminal or deadly weapon enhancement.

Conditional Discharge / Specialty Courts

Conditional Discharge under NRS 458.300 for first-time drug possession — dismissal upon completion. Drug court, mental health court, veterans court, DUI court widely available.

Plea Agreement

Negotiated resolution under NRS 174.061. Includes charge reductions, dismissed counts, recommended sentences, and probation in lieu of incarceration.

Trial Acquittal

Not guilty verdict by Nevada jury or judge. Nevada criminal juries are 12 for Category A felonies, 8 for other criminal cases unless waived; verdicts must be unanimous (Nev. Const. Art. 1, § 3).

Post-Conviction Relief

Nevada post-conviction habeas under NRS 34.720 et seq. — 1-year filing window from finality. Motion to Withdraw Plea (NRS 176.165). Successor petitions restricted.

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DearLegal is a legal referral service, not a law firm. We connect individuals with licensed attorneys who can evaluate their case. Nothing on this page constitutes legal advice. Results vary based on individual circumstances.

Nevada Criminal Defense Attorneys

Why Do You Need a Criminal Defense Attorney in Nevada?

When Do You Need a Criminal Defense Attorney in Nevada?

Types of Criminal Defense Cases in Nevada

Common Nevada Criminal Defense Mistakes

How Much Do Nevada Criminal Defense Attorneys Cost?

What Can Your Nevada Criminal Defense Compensation Include?

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