Sin City is an alluring destination for countless visitors every year. Most tourists want a chance to let loose and enjoy the nightlife. However, you don’t want to find yourself facing criminal charges during your stay. Metropolitan police officers work diligently to keep the city safe, while judges impose criminal penalties that vary dramatically depending on the offense. So whether you got into a scuffle on the Strip or the police stopped you for driving under the influence (DUI), it’s important to know what you could face in court. Read on to learn all about Las Vegas criminal penalties.
Types of Criminal Penalties in Las Vegas
While Las Vegas is considered one of the world’s safest tourist destinations, people commit crimes within the city limits every day, from public intoxication to more serious transgressions, such as aggravated assault. Criminal penalties for these infractions vary in type and severity, and the following are some punishments that a Nevada judge may enforce:
- Imprisonment in a county jail or a state correctional facility.
- House arrest.
- Community service.
- Fines and court fees.
- Court-ordered restitution.
- Driver’s license suspension or revocation.
- Mandatory counseling or rehabilitation.
- Sex offender registration (for sex crimes).
What Are the Penalties for Misdemeanor Offenses?
A Las Vegas misdemeanor is a lesser offense, punishable by up to six months in county jail and a $1,000 fine. These charges can include the following:
- Trespassing.
- Traffic violations.
- Solicitation of a prostitute.
- DUI (first offense).
A gross misdemeanor charge accounts for slightly more serious offenses and may result in up to one year in jail and a $2,000 fine. Punishable crimes in Las Vegas include open lewdness and indecent exposure. While misdemeanor charges will carry fewer penalties than a conviction of a felony offense, your past criminal history, if any, may also affect sentencing.
What Are the Penalties for Felony Offenses in Las Vegas?
A felony is the most serious type of offense in Las Vegas and results in harsher legal consequences. A conviction may be punishable by no less than one year in state prison. If you’re found guilty of certain aggravated or category A felony charges, you could serve a life sentence or even face the death penalty. However, the United States Constitution’s Sixth Amendment entitles everyone charged with a felony in Nevada to a jury trial.
Licensed retailers in Nevada started selling recreational marijuana to adults in 2017. However, there are limitations. Even possessing more than an ounce of marijuana is a category E felony offense that can result in up to four years in prison and a $5,000 fine if you have two or more prior felony offenses. Felonies also include offenses such as robbery, sexual assault, domestic violence, and kidnapping.
When Can You Face Imprisonment in Las Vegas?
Imprisonment in Las Vegas is one of the most severe criminal penalties the court may enforce. Depending on the case, as a defendant, you could face a sentence anywhere from a single day in county jail to life at a state correctional facility. The primary factor that affects sentencing is whether the crime is classified as a misdemeanor, a gross misdemeanor, or a felony.
It may be possible to get serious felony charges reduced to a lesser offense if your attorney is able to reach a plea bargain with the prosecutor — or even get the charges dismissed outright. However, the following five felony types may carry jail time in Nevada:
- Category A felonies: Life in prison (with or without parole) or the death penalty.
- Category B felonies: A sentence between one and 20 years.
- Category C felonies: One to five years in prison.
- Category D felonies: One to four-year sentence.
- Category E felonies: Possible one-year sentence or less.
What Are Your Legal Rights in Nevada?
You want to make your encounter with the police go as smoothly as possible while preserving your rights. So if the police pull you over, remember that you have:
- The right to remain silent.
- The right to refuse a search of your vehicle or person without a warrant or probable cause.
- The right to ask why the police officer pulled you over and what crime you’re suspected of committing.
- The right to record your encounter with police in a public place.
- The right to ask for an attorney if you’re arrested.
Don’t Take Criminal Charges Lightly
Don’t make the mistake of taking criminal penalties lightly in Las Vegas. Nevada’s laws are some of the strictest in the nation, and if charges stick, they can potentially affect you for the rest of your life. A record could hinder your future employment prospects and more. Crimes such as possession of drugs or other controlled substances are felonies that could result in hefty fines and a prison sentence, while underage drinking and gambling can also result in severe penalties, including incarceration.
Simply disturbing the peace carries a maximum sentence of six months in jail and $1000 in fines, for example. You need to hire an attorney who takes your charge — and your freedom — as seriously as you do. DUI with a blood alcohol concentration of at least 0.08% comes with harsh criminal penalties when convicted in Nevada, including:
- Two days to six months in jail.
- Fines range from $400 to $1,000.
- Driver’s license suspension of 185 days.
- Mandatory DUI school.
- Completion of a Victim Impact Panel.
How a Criminal Defense Lawyer Can Help
The primary purpose of our law firm’s practice is to properly represent the rights and defend the interests of our clients to help them avoid criminal convictions and the various penalties that the court may enforce. De Castroverde’s Las Vegas criminal defense attorneys take care to provide you with personalized attention and aggressive counsel. With our team’s extensive expertise and resources, we work to get you the best possible outcome in court and minimize the impact on your life. Contact us today to schedule your case evaluation, and discover how we can help you fight criminal penalties with confidence.
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