Juvenile Crimes in Nevada

Everyone makes mistakes, and this is especially true of children and teenagers. In some cases, a young person’s mistakes can lead to criminal charges. 

Finding out that your child has been arrested is overwhelming for any parent, but knowing what to expect throughout the process can help ease your anxiety.

Nevada Juvenile Court Procedure

According to Nevada law, anyone less than 18 years old is categorized as a minor. When a minor is arrested, they will be processed through the juvenile court system, which generally focuses more on rehabilitation than incarceration.

When a minor is arrested, procedure will follow these steps:

1. Initial arrest if a police officer feels the child has committed a crime
2. Immediate parental notification of the child’s arrest and the involvement of a probation officer
3. Release of the child to the parent with the agreement to bring the child to court
4. Attorney appointed by the court or hired by the parents to represent the child
5. Trial to determine whether or not the child committed a crime and sentencing
6. Completion of the sentencing, which may include fines, community service, driver’s license suspension, course in human development, or incarceration

Depending upon the offense, sentencing options can be as light as a verbal warning or as serious as time in a juvenile detention facility. Sending a child to prison is generally reserved for cases when alternative sentencing methods would be ineffective in preventing the crime from occurring again. As with any criminal case in Nevada, a child convicted in juvenile court has the right to appeal the judge’s sentencing.

The Impact of Juvenile Criminal Records

One of the biggest concerns for parents is how their child’s criminal conviction may affect their ability to get into college, future employment potential, and other opportunities. Typically juvenile offenders automatically have their records sealed when they are 21, unless they committed a serious offense.

Many offenders that committed crimes in their youth are able to have their records sealed or expunged, meaning that schools and employers will not be able to access this information. An expunged record means that the crime never existed in the eyes of the law. A sealed record means that the only time the record can be viewed is with the permission of the court.

Going through the juvenile court system can be frightening, and it’s important to have the representation of a proven law firm. The experienced criminal defense attorneys at De Castroverde Law Group can help ensure the best possible outcome for your child’s juvenile crime case in Las Vegas. Contact our family-run law firm to learn how we can help!