Misdemeanor Defense Lawyers
serving clients in Henderson, Las Vegas and other Clark County, NV citiesWhile misdemeanor charges are not as serious as felonies, you should still take them seriously because they can have lasting impacts on your life, including include fines, probation, community service, or even jail time.
Ignoring a misdemeanor charge can result in additional legal troubles and penalties, so it’s important to seek legal advice right away.
Smith Legal Group represents defendants across Clark County who are accused of misdemeanor offenses of any kind. We work very hard to persuade judges and prosecutors to either drop the charges altogether or reduce them to a lesser class.
Call (702) 410-5001 for a free consultation with one of our misdemeanor defense lawyers. They will listen to your individual circumstances and offer different scenarios aimed at lessening the penalty you might face if convicted.
Misdemeanor classifications in Nevada
In Nevada, misdemeanors are typically categorized into three classes based on severity:
It’s important to note that the penalties and classifications may vary depending on the specific circumstances of the offense and any prior criminal history. This can often happen if the individual is a repeat offender.
Removing misdemeanor charges
In Nevada, it’s generally true that a misdemeanor charge that does not result in a conviction may still appear on certain background checks.
However, it’s common for these checks to note that the charge was dismissed or did not result in a conviction. This distinction can be important for individuals undergoing background checks for employment, housing, or other purposes, as it indicates that you were not found guilty of the misdemeanor offense.
Sealing misdemeanor convictions
It’s important to first explain the difference between the legal processes of court ‘sealing’ and ‘expunging’ a criminal record. In Nevada, just because a court seals a record does not mean it will be expunged or deleted by the state forever. In fact, Nevada maintains a repository that permanently stores all criminal records.
In Clark County, NV, the waiting period for petitioning the court to seal your criminal record after the completion of the sentence, including any probation or parole, can vary depending on the specific offense.
When a seal is completed, the criminal proceedings are considered to have never happened.
| Misdemeanor Conviction | Waiting Period |
|---|---|
| Non-violent | 1 year |
| Battery | 2 years |
| Harassment | 2 years |
| Stalking | 2 years |
| Domestic Violence Battery | 7 years |
| DUI | 7 years |
Further Reading
Smith Legal Group will always strive to defend your case with the goal of achieving a not guilty verdict.
However, if the evidence and arguments are not overwhelmingly in your favor, our next step will be to negotiate with the prosecution to plea down the misdemeanor charge to a lesser class, resulting in a lighter sentence.
Avoiding any jail time is our top priority when negotiating a plea deal for you.
Don’t allow a misdemeanor arrest to shape your life. Complete our submission form below or call us at (702) 410-5001 to discuss your misdemeanor charge in a free consultation.