Work with a Skilled Criminal Defense Attorney

Being arrested is one of the most frightening things you can experience. The potential consequences are hard to ignore and can make the situation seem completely overwhelming. For this reason, it is vital that you take immediate action by contacting a Las Vegas criminal defense lawyer. Do not discuss the matter with police or investigators before retaining the services of a qualified attorney; doing so may lead to statements being misconstrued and used to incriminate you. Exercise your right to remain silent and your right to legal counsel.

Contact us at Okabe & Haushalter right away to take the first step in your defense!

Explanation of the Nevada Revised Statutes

If you have recently been arrested, this may be your first time in the Nevada legal system. Whether this is your first offense or you have been arrested before, our explanation of the Nevada criminal codes can prove helpful to you. We are extremely knowledgeable in this area and want to share that knowledge with you.

Below, we have provided information on criminal law in the state of Nevada:

• Sex Offenses in the Nevada Penal Code: If you are facing charges of a sex crime, then you allegedly violated part of Chapter 200 of the statutes, which are “Crimes Against the Person.” Many of these offenses are felonies, while some offenses are misdemeanors. Convicted sex offenders will have to register on the state sex offender registry. While you may have to register as a sex offender, your profile may not be visible. According to the statutes, only Tier 2 and Tier 3 offenders are accessible to the public. This means those convicted of minor sex offenses may not have profiles viewable by the public.
• Property Crimes in the Nevada Revised Statutes: Property crimes are found in Chapter 205 of the Nevada Revised Statutes. Unlike crimes against the person, these offenses deal with property such as tangible goods or money. One of the most common property crimes in Las Vegas is theft. According to the wording in NRS 205.0832, a person commits theft if they knowingly “controls any property of another person with the intent to deprive that person of the property.”
• Crimes Against Public Decency & Good Morals: This is Chapter 201 of the Nevada Revised Statutes. Unique from crimes against the person and property crimes, crimes against public decency involve the corruption of morals and the good of the collective community rather than individual people. Some of those crimes include failure to pay child support, incest, intentionally transmitting HIV, lewd or indecent exposure, and more.

Overview of Criminal Procedure in Las Vegas

In Las Vegas, the criminal process begins with an arrest or an investigation that will ultimately lead to the arrest. If you are arrested, there is the possibility of being released on bail until your next hearing—unless you are labeled as a danger to the surrounding community.

The first hearing you attend is the arraignment hearing, which is when the Judge formally reads your charges to you and you are asked how you plea. If you plead guilty, then you will face sentencing. If you plead not guilty, then your criminal case will move into the pretrial phase and preliminary hearing(s). If your case is not dismissed, then it will proceed to trial.

Our Criminal Defense Law Firm Can Help

We at Okabe & Haushalter are ready to delve into your case by locating evidence or information that may be used in your defense. Our firm can conduct a thorough review of the evidence the prosecution plans to use against you and search for any factors that may cause it to be considered invalid or inadmissible. Even if charges have not yet been filed, retaining our services while you are under investigation can sometimes lead to the entire matter being dropped. We can attempt to have any charges against you dismissed or reduced and can represent you aggressively in court. As needed, we will negotiate in pursuit of reduced penalties.

Do not hesitate to contact a Las Vegas criminal defense attorney immediately!