Nevada Criminal Defense

Charged with a Crime in Nevada?

Criminal Defense Lawyers Explain Charges and Penalties

A criminal conviction can drastically affect the rest of your life. You may face the possibility of jail time, fines and other penalties, and your reputation may be damaged. Additionally, a conviction may prevent you from finding work and/or housing in the future. Since so much hangs in the balance, you should always work a criminal defense lawyer with a history of success. Even innocence is not always an ironclad defense – law enforcement and prosecutors may not care about your side of the story, but will simply focus on getting a conviction. An attorney can work to enforce your rights and expose any misconduct or negligence that may have led to your arrest. In many cases, a good lawyer can get your charges or penalties reduced, minimizing the negative impact on your life.

If you have been arrested or someone you know was taken into police custody, then you should find a lawyer as quickly as possible. No matter what kinds of charges you face, from a misdemeanor to a felony, finding an attorney you trust is essential. To speak with a local Nevada criminal lawyer today, consult our local listings.

What Are the Basic Types of Criminal Charges?

The type of criminal charge you face may vary depending on the nature of the alleged crime. Although each state has its own specific classifications, the general types of charges are:

• Infraction. An infraction is the least serious type of charge you can face. In fact, some states handle infractions as civil cases, rather than criminal cases. Traffic violations and other minor offenses usually fall into this category. Jail is generally not a possibility for infractions, so you are not entitled to a jury trial and the state will usually not appoint you a lawyer. However, you can still hire one of your own.
• Petty offense. Some states categorize low-level criminal conduct as petty offenses. This may include illegal acts like gambling, disturbing the peace, public indecency, pollution violations and theft of items of low value.
• Misdemeanor. A misdemeanor is a more serious charge and county courts typically handle these cases. Common misdemeanor charges include assault, criminal trespass, theft and certain drug crimes, including possession and sale.
• Felony. This is the most serious type of criminal charge and state and/or federal courts usually handle these cases. Common felonies include murder, kidnapping, sexual assault, robbery, vehicular homicide, assault with a deadly weapon, burglary and certain drug crimes.

In some cases, a criminal defense lawyer can negotiate on your behalf with the prosecution to reduce the severity of the charges you face. If the court reduces your charge from a low-level felony to a misdemeanor, for example, then the repercussions you face may be much less serious.

What Is the Penalty for a Misdemeanor in Nevada?

Each state has its own system for classifying misdemeanor and felony charges, and penalties may vary as well. In Nevada, there are only two types of misdemeanors, in contrast with many other states who categorize multiple levels of crime by letters A through C, D, E, or more. Rather, Nevada only classifies these crimes as either a simple misdemeanor or a gross misdemeanor.

Crimes generally considered simple misdemeanors in Nevada include earning traffic tickets; domestic violence battery; petit larceny; prostitution; and simple possession of drugs. The maximum punishment a Nevada judge may order for most simple misdemeanors is the following:

• Up to $1,000 in fines, and/or
• Up to six (6) months in jail

Gross demeanors, on the other hand, include more consequential crimes, such as a first offense of open or gross lewdness, a first offense of indecent exposure, and a second or subsequent offense of stalking. These gross misdemeanors attach more serious punishment, and their maximum punishment is the following:

• 364 days in jail, and/or
• $2,000 in fines

What Is the Penalty for a Felony in Nevada?

Like misdemeanors, each state has its own system for what qualifies as a felony and what penalties may result from a conviction. In Nevada, possible felony charges and penalties include:

• Category A felonies. Crimes in this class include first-degree and second-degree murder, first-degree kidnapping, using or promoting the use of a child in pornography, sexual assault, and battery with intent to commit sexual assault that results in substantial bodily harm. A Category A felony in Nevada is punishable by the death penalty; life in prison without parole; or life in prison with a possibility of parole.
• Category B felonies. Crimes in this class include reckless driving involving “serious bodily harm” or death, possession of child pornography (first offense), assault with a deadly weapon, and battery with intent to kill. For a Category B felony, the court can impose a maximum range of 8 to 20 years in prison. Some Category B felony sentences can also include a fine.
• Category C felonies. Crimes in this class can include buying or receiving stolen goods (if the value is $250 or more but less than $2,500), violating an order of protection (or restraining order), and stalking by use of the internet, text-messaging or similar method.  A court can sentence a defendant convicted of a Category C felony in Nevada to a maximum range of 2 to 5 years and a fine up to $10,000.
• Category D felonies. Crimes in the class include involuntary manslaughter, third-degree arson, and manslaughter. For a Category D felony, the maximum sentence range is 19 months to 4 years and a fine up to $5,000.
• Category E felonies. Crimes in that class  include criminal gang recruitment by an adult and soliciting prostitution involving a child. The possible sentence for a Category E felony is from 1 to 4 years, but Nevada law requires the court to suspend the sentence and impose probation or one year in jail and probation, unless special circumstances waive this requirement.

Need a Nevada Criminal Defense Lawyer? We Can Help

If you are facing any level of criminal charge, then a qualified lawyer may be essential to protecting your future. Additionally, if someone you know is currently in police custody, then you may wish to reach out to a lawyer on his or her behalf. To find a Nevada criminal defense lawyer in your area, then consult our attorney listings. If you have general question about criminal law or certain charges, then do not hesitate to ask the lawyers™.