Nevada Criminal Defense | Free 24/7 Help: 1-844-690-0555

Criminal Defense in Nevada — what to do right now

Right now, do three things. First, stop talking about the case — to police, to cellmates, and on recorded jail phones; politely say you want a lawyer and stay quiet. Second, find out the exact charge and its NRS category, because a Category B felony and a gross misdemeanor are worlds apart in Nevada. Third, get ready for the bail hearing — under the Valdez-Jimenez ruling you are entitled to a prompt, individualized hearing, and someone should be there to argue for release. Call 1-844-690-0555 free, 24/7, and we'll walk you through exactly what happens next. This is legal information, not legal advice, and the call creates no attorney-client relationship.

The law in Nevada: Criminal Defense

Nevada grades crimes on a ladder set out in NRS Title 15. A misdemeanor (NRS 193.150) caps out at 6 months in county jail and a $1,000 fine. A gross misdemeanor (NRS 193.140) can mean up to 364 days in jail and a $2,000 fine. Felonies are split into five categories under NRS 193.130: Category A (the most serious — life or, for certain crimes, death), down through B, C, D, and E. The category isn't a label — it dictates the prison range, the fine, whether probation is even on the table, and how long before you can ever clear the record. The first job in any Nevada case is pinning down exactly which box the charge falls in.

Nevada has a layered court system. Misdemeanors and city-ordinance violations start in Municipal Court or Justice Court. Felonies and gross misdemeanors begin in Justice Court with a first appearance and, if you don't waive it, a preliminary hearing — then they move up to one of the 11 District Courts (Clark County's Eighth Judicial District in Las Vegas and Washoe County's Second in Reno are the busiest). The District Attorney, not a private accuser, decides what to charge. Appeals run to the Court of Appeals and the Supreme Court of Nevada.

Two short clocks matter immediately. After the Nevada Supreme Court's decision in Valdez-Jimenez v. Eighth Judicial District Court (2020), a jailed defendant is entitled to a prompt, individualized bail hearing where the State must justify cash bail by clear and convincing evidence — and 2021's Assembly Bill 424 pushed courts toward deciding pretrial release quickly. Separately, under NRS 171.196, if you don't waive it, the justice court must hold your preliminary hearing within 15 days. Miss the chance to fight bail or to prepare for that hearing and you can sit in custody far longer than you should. Calling 1-844-690-0555 early is how you get ahead of both clocks.

Assembly Bill 236, effective July 1, 2020, was the biggest rewrite of Nevada sentencing in a generation. It raised the felony-theft line, shortened how long you can be kept on probation, and reclassified many low-level drug and property offenses downward to ease prison crowding. That means an old assumption about 'how much trouble' a charge is may simply be wrong today. A 2026 case is judged by the post-AB 236 rules, and getting that right can be the difference between prison, probation, or a charge that's eligible to be sealed sooner.

Key Statutes (NRS Title 15)

NRS 193.130 — the five felony categories (A through E) and their prison ranges
NRS 193.140 — gross misdemeanor: up to 364 days jail and up to a $2,000 fine
NRS 193.150 — misdemeanor: up to 6 months jail and up to a $1,000 fine
NRS 205.220 / 205.0835 — grand larceny and the post-AB 236 $1,200 felony-theft threshold
NRS 200.120 — justifiable homicide and Nevada's no-duty-to-retreat self-defense rule
NRS 179.245 — sealing a Nevada conviction after the waiting period

Courts & Agencies

Justice Court — first appearance, bail, and preliminary hearings for felonies/gross misdemeanors
District Court (11 districts) — felony trials; Eighth (Las Vegas) and Second (Reno) are the largest
Municipal Court — city-ordinance and traffic misdemeanors
County District Attorney — decides the charges
County Public Defender / Office of Appointed Counsel — for those found indigent
Supreme Court of Nevada and Court of Appeals — appellate review

Penalties & Deadlines

Bail: prompt, individualized hearing; State must justify cash bail by clear and convincing evidence (Valdez-Jimenez, 2020)
Preliminary hearing: within 15 days if not waived (NRS 171.196)
Category B felony: 1 to 20 years in state prison (range set per offense)
Category C felony: 1 to 5 years, fine up to $10,000; Category D: 1 to 4 years, fine up to $5,000
Sealing waits run from release/discharge: misdemeanor 1 yr, gross misdemeanor and Category E 2 yrs, Category B/C/D 5 yrs, Category A/violent 10 yrs

Nevada's Felony Category Is the Whole Ballgame — and It Decides When You Can Ever Clear Your Name

In a lot of states, two people with a 'felony' face roughly the same future. Not in Nevada. The single letter — A, B, C, D, or E under NRS 193.130 — controls your prison exposure, whether probation is even possible (a Category E almost always gets probation; a Category A may not), and, crucially, how long before NRS 179.245 lets you seal the record: two years for a Category E, five for a B, C, or D, ten for a Category A or a crime of violence. People plead to 'just a felony' without realizing they've locked in a decade-long mark. Before you accept any deal, find out the exact category. Call 1-844-690-0555 free, 24/7.

Likely outcomes & penalties

Real Nevada outcomes turn on the NRS category, your record, and the facts. These are general ranges under current law — not a prediction for your case.

Misdemeanor (NRS 193.150)

Up to 6 months in county jail and/or a fine up to $1,000. Many first-time misdemeanors resolve with fines, classes, or diversion — and can be sealed one year after the case ends.

Gross Misdemeanor (NRS 193.140)

Up to 364 days in county jail and/or a fine up to $2,000. The 364-day cap (not a full year) matters for immigration consequences. Sealing waits two years after discharge.

Category C or D Felony

Category C: 1–5 years in state prison plus a fine up to $10,000. Category D: 1–4 years plus a fine up to $5,000. Probation is often possible; both can be sealed five years after release.

Category B Felony

A wide 1-to-20-year prison range set by the specific statute — from robbery to many serious thefts and assaults. Sealable five years after release; deadly-weapon enhancements add real time.

Mistakes to avoid

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Talking on the recorded jail phones or to detectives 'to clear it up' — in Nevada those calls and statements come straight back at you in District Court.

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Assuming you can't fight bail. After Valdez-Jimenez you're entitled to an individualized hearing where the State — not you — must justify cash bail; many people sit in jail because no one argued for release.

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Waiving the 15-day preliminary hearing under NRS 171.196 without understanding it's your first real look at the State's evidence.

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Pleading to 'just a felony' without checking the NRS 193.130 category — the letter decides your prison range and whether you wait 5 or 10 years to seal.

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Believing old penalty information — AB 236 (effective July 2020) changed thresholds and probation rules, so 2017-era advice can be flat wrong today.

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Thinking a self-defense claim is automatic — NRS 200.120 has real limits, and you can't be the aggressor or be engaged in criminal activity when you use force.

How it works

Call 1-844-690-0555 — free, 24/7. Reach Legal Hotline any hour, from any Nevada jail phone or your own. There's no income test, no web form, and no wait for business hours. We can speak with you in English or Spanish.

Talk to an AI assistant trained on Nevada + federal law. Describe what happened and the charge. The assistant explains the relevant NRS sections, your likely court track, the bail and preliminary-hearing clocks, and the realistic range — plain information, not legal advice, with no attorney-client relationship created.

Get matched with a Nevada criminal defense attorney if you want one. If your situation calls for representation, we can help you book a paid consultation with a Nevada-licensed attorney. It's a separate paid step you control — the free call comes first, with no pressure.

Free & low-cost Criminal Defense help in Nevada

Legal Hotline is not a law firm and not a public defender, and the call is legal information, not advice. If you qualify financially or need court forms, these Nevada resources can also help — and the appointed public defender is free if a judge finds you indigent.

Clark County Public Defender

Free defense counsel for people accused of crimes in Las Vegas, Henderson, North Las Vegas and across Clark County who a judge finds indigent. Ask the court to appoint counsel at your first appearance.

Nevada Department of Indigent Defense Services (DIDS)

The statewide agency overseeing appointed-counsel systems in Nevada's rural and smaller counties — useful if your case is outside Clark or Washoe and you need a court-appointed lawyer.

Legal Aid Center of Southern Nevada

Southern Nevada's largest civil legal-aid provider; while criminal defense itself goes through the public defender, LACSN runs clinics and self-help that help with record sealing, collateral consequences, and related civil fallout.

Nevada Legal Services

Statewide nonprofit serving all 17 counties since 1981, with offices in Las Vegas, Reno, Elko and Carson City; assists with civil consequences of a criminal record and reentry issues.

State Bar of Nevada Lawyer Referral Service

The official State Bar referral line. A referred attorney charges no more than $45 for an initial consultation (or $25 if you pre-qualify). Call (702) 382-0504 or 1-800-789-5747.

Nevada Courts Self-Help Center

The judiciary's free portal with forms and step-by-step guides — including record-sealing packets you can use once your NRS 179.245 waiting period has passed.

FAQ — Criminal Defense in Nevada

I was just arrested in Las Vegas — what's the very first thing I should do?

Stop talking about the case and ask for a lawyer. Anything you say to police, on a recorded jail phone, or to other inmates can be used against you in District Court. Then find out your exact charge and its NRS category so you know what you're really facing. For free, plain-English information any hour, call 1-844-690-0555.

What's the difference between a misdemeanor, gross misdemeanor, and felony in Nevada?

A misdemeanor (NRS 193.150) caps at 6 months and a $1,000 fine; a gross misdemeanor (NRS 193.140) at 364 days and $2,000; felonies (NRS 193.130) run from Category E up to Category A, which can carry life. The category drives everything that follows. Call 1-844-690-0555 free, 24/7, to find out which one applies to you.

Can I get out of jail before trial, and do I have to pay bail?

After Valdez-Jimenez (2020), you're entitled to a prompt, individualized hearing where the State must show by clear and convincing evidence that cash bail — rather than release with conditions — is necessary. Many people stay locked up only because no one argued for them. Call 1-844-690-0555 to understand your bail hearing before it happens.

What is a preliminary hearing and how fast does it happen?

For felonies and gross misdemeanors, the Justice Court tests whether there's enough evidence to send your case to District Court. Under NRS 171.196, if you don't waive it, that hearing must occur within 15 days. It's often your first real look at the State's case — don't waive it blindly. Talk it through free at 1-844-690-0555.

Should I use a public defender or hire a private lawyer?

If a judge finds you indigent, the county public defender represents you at no cost — ask for appointment at your first appearance. If you can afford counsel or want to choose your attorney, you can hire privately. We can explain the tradeoffs and, if you want, help you book a paid consultation with a Nevada attorney. Start with the free call: 1-844-690-0555.

How does Nevada's self-defense law work — is it 'stand your ground'?

NRS 200.120 recognizes justifiable homicide and self-defense, and Nevada generally imposes no duty to retreat if you're not the aggressor and not engaged in criminal activity — a castle-doctrine state. But it's fact-specific and far from automatic. If self-defense may apply to your charge, get information first by calling 1-844-690-0555.

When can I seal a criminal record in Nevada?

Under NRS 179.245, waiting periods run from your release or discharge: one year for a misdemeanor, two years for a gross misdemeanor or Category E felony, five years for Category B, C or D, and ten years for Category A or a crime of violence. Some offenses can never be sealed. Call 1-844-690-0555 to learn when your record becomes eligible.

Did Nevada's laws really change — is old penalty information still accurate?

Often not. Assembly Bill 236, effective July 1, 2020, raised the felony-theft threshold to $1,200, shortened probation periods, and reclassified many low-level offenses downward. Advice based on pre-2020 rules can be wrong today. For current, Nevada-specific information, call 1-844-690-0555 free, 24/7.

At what dollar amount does theft become a felony in Nevada?

Since AB 236, the line is $1,200. Below that it's a misdemeanor; $1,200 to under $5,000 is a Category D felony; $5,000 to under $25,000 is Category C; and it climbs from there (NRS 205.220 / 205.0835). The category sets your prison range and sealing wait. Call 1-844-690-0555 to understand where your case falls.

Does Legal Hotline replace a lawyer or the public defender?

No. Legal Hotline is not a law firm and not a public defender; the call gives you legal information, not legal advice, and creates no attorney-client relationship. It's the fast, free first step — and if you want representation, we can help you book a paid consultation with a Nevada-licensed attorney. Call 1-844-690-0555 anytime.

I think the charge is wrong or the police made a mistake — what now?

Don't argue it on the recorded jail line or try to talk your way out with detectives. Preserve the issue for your lawyer and the preliminary hearing, where the State's evidence first gets tested. Understanding the process protects you. Call 1-844-690-0555 free, 24/7, to learn your next move in plain English.

Are you a Nevada criminal defense attorney?

We send people across Las Vegas, Reno, Henderson, Sparks, Carson City and rural Nevada who've used the free hotline and now want representation. If you're licensed in Nevada and defend criminal cases, you can join our referral network and receive matched consultations. Reach out to learn how it works — our first duty stays with the caller who needs help right now.

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Reviewed by the Legal Hotline Editorial Team.

General legal information, not legal advice. We research every page from primary sources — legislation, the courts, and government legal-aid bodies — and check it for accuracy. Spotted something out of date? Tell us at admin@platfirm.ai.

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