Nevada Criminal Records

A Nevada criminal record is an official document that details a person's criminal history within the state. These documents generally contain information on warrants, arrests, citations, formal criminal charges, charge dispositions, sentencing information, incarceration details, probation status, and details of other formal interactions with criminal justice agencies. According to recent data, Nevada has a violent crime rate of around 4.54 per 1,000 residents, with a total crime rate of approximately 28.34 per 1,000 residents.

Various municipal and state agencies and governmental bodies generate and provide access to criminal records in Nevada. These include local police departments and sheriff's offices, the Nevada State Police, the Nevada Judiciary (primarily the trial courts), and the Nevada Department of Corrections. However, Nevada's Records, Communications, and Compliance Division (RCCD) (a division of the state's Department of Public Safety) serves as the central repository for the state's criminal history information and is statutorily authorized to collect, maintain, and distribute this information to interested parties.

Are Criminal Records Public in Nevada?

Criminal records are generally considered public records in Nevada and may be accessed by interested parties in line with state law, primarily Chapters 239 (Public Records) and 179A (Records of Criminal History and Public Safety Information) of the Nevada Revised Statutes. Per these laws, most criminal records may be viewed and copied by the general public. However, certain information is typically exempt from public disclosure.

Examples of criminal records exempt from public disclosure include juvenile criminal records (unless the juvenile was tried as an adult for certain offenses), records that have been sealed by court order, and medical or mental health records. Records related to ongoing criminal investigations where disclosure would compromise the investigation, as well as information that could identify confidential sources or jeopardize undercover operations, may also be withheld. Likewise, criminal history record information maintained by the state's Records, Communications and Compliance Division (RCCD) is generally restricted to specific authorized requesters, including the subject of the record and potential employers.

How To Look Up Criminal Records in Nevada?

Per Nevada law, official criminal history records maintained by the state's Records, Communications, and Compliance Division (RCCD) may only be accessed by certain authorized requesters, including law enforcement, potential employers, and the subject of the record.

Individuals who wish to obtain a copy of their own record will be required to complete an Identification File Request for Nevada Records of Criminal History Form (DPS-006). The completed form, along with a complete set of fingerprints taken on a standard fingerprint card (FD-258) and a $27 fee (in the form of a money order or certified check made out to the Nevada Department of Public Safety), should be submitted to the RCCD at:

Requests are typically processed within 45 days, and you will either receive a letter stating that no Nevada criminal record was found or a letter stating that the record was located, along with the complete contents of the record.

The RCCD also allows individuals who believe they may have a Nevada criminal record to inspect their information by submitting a Request Inspection of Nevada Criminal Record Information Form (DPS-008-I). These inspections may only be done in person and are offered at no cost; however, during the inspection, records cannot be removed, copied, noted, or photographed. In addition, the RCCD maintains a Civil Name Check (CNC) Program that allows authorized parties to request name and date of birth-based searches for criminal records. However, this program is only available to requesters who will directly employ the individual they wish to conduct the civil name check on and third-party agencies that offer background screening services to these employers.

You may contact the RCCD at (775) 684-6262 for more information on accessing official criminal records in Nevada or for assistance with obtaining copies of these records.

How To Search Nevada Arrest Records?

In Nevada, arrest records are primarily created and maintained by police departments and sheriff's offices; however, other law enforcement agencies that make arrests, such as the Nevada State Police, also generate and maintain arrest records. A typical Nevada arrest record contains information like:

• The full name and age of the person arrested
• The date, time, and location of the arrest
• The alleged offenses for which the person was arrested
• The arresting agency
• Mugshots, fingerprints, and other booking information
• Bail or bond information, if applicable

You can typically access a Nevada arrest record by contacting the specific law enforcement agency responsible for the arrest. Many agencies have online portals for submitting record requests and also provide in-person and mail-in options for this as well. Some county sheriff's offices and city police departments also offer online access to their recent arrest logs or booking information through their official websites.

How To Search Nevada Warrants?

A warrant is a legal document that authorizes law enforcement to take specific actions. In Nevada, these warrants are typically issued by judges, and they include:

• Arrest Warrants: These are issued upon probable cause that a person is involved in the commission of a crime and authorize law enforcement to detain the person and take them into custody. Arrest warrants typically remain active until they are executed or quashed by the issuing court.
• Search Warrants: These are also issued based on probable cause and authorize the search of a specified location for evidence related to a specific crime. Per Nevada Revised Statutes (NRS) Section 179.075, these warrants typically have to be executed and returned to the issuing court within 10 days (after the date of issuance).
• Bench Warrants: These are issued for individuals who fail to appear in court or violate a court order and authorize law enforcement to apprehend these individuals and bring them before the issuing judge. Similar to arrest warrants, a bench warrant remains active until it is served or recalled.

You can typically access information on active warrants in Nevada by either contacting the local law enforcement agency in the jurisdiction where the warrant was issued or the issuing court's clerk. Some counties also offer online platforms that provide information on active/outstanding warrants for their respective jurisdictions.

Can I Obtain a Nevada Criminal History Record of Another Person?

In Nevada, official criminal history records maintained by the state's Records, Communications, and Compliance Division (RCCD) are not publicly accessible and may only be accessed by specific entities. These include the subject of the record, criminal justice agencies, and certain non-criminal justice agencies, such as employers and authorized third-party organizations that provide background screening services.

However, you may access limited criminal record information through other sources, such as the Nevada courts and local law enforcement agencies (note that these agencies typically only maintain records for their respective jurisdictions).

How To Expunge or Seal Nevada Criminal Records

Per Nevada law, individuals may request that a court seal their criminal records, thereby restricting public access to these records. It should be noted that sealing a record does not result in the destruction of the record, and sealed records may still be accessed by authorized parties, including criminal justice agencies and individuals with a valid court order.

Individuals who wish to get their records sealed in Nevada must meet certain eligibility criteria. These include:

• The offense must be eligible for sealing. Records of dismissed and acquitted cases are generally eligible for sealing. Likewise, even though convictions may also be sealed, certain crimes, such as sexual offenses, DUIs, and crimes against children, are statutorily deemed ineligible for the process.
• The imposed sentence must have been completed.
• A stipulated waiting period must have also been completed. Dismissed and acquitted cases can typically be sealed immediately, while convictions may only be sealed after a specified waiting period, ranging from 1 - 10 years (depending on the type of offense).

The sealing process generally involves the following steps:

• Obtain a copy of your official criminal history record from the Records, Communications, and Compliance Division (RCCD).
• File a petition with the court where the case was heard.
• Notify the District Attorney's office and other relevant agencies.
• Attend any scheduled court hearings.
• Receive the court's decision.

It is important to note that the specific procedure for sealing a criminal record in Nevada varies by county. As such, interested parties are advised to contact the relevant District Attorney's office and/or trial court to find out the sealing requirements for their jurisdiction. The RCCD also offers a general information brochure that may be used to glean information on the Nevada criminal record sealing process.

What Are the Limitations For the Use of Criminal Records for Employment, Licensing, and Housing in Nevada?

Several laws and regulations protect individuals with criminal histories from unfair discrimination in employment, housing, and professional licensing in Nevada. These include the Fair Chance Act, which restricts federal agencies and contractors (in Nevada) from inquiring about an applicant's criminal history until after extending a conditional job offer. The state's ban-the-box law enforces similar restrictions for public employers in Nevada. Another federal law - the Fair Credit Reporting Act - mandates that employers and landlords obtain written consent before conducting background checks; they must also notify applicants if a negative decision is made due to their criminal history.

Likewise, licensing boards typically cannot deny applicants solely due to criminal history unless the conviction is substantially relevant to the profession. The state also follows guidance from federal bodies like the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) and the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), which encourage individualized assessments rather than blanket exclusions based on criminal records.

Can I Access Nevada Criminal Records for Free Online?

While many private websites claim to provide access to Nevada criminal records, either at no cost or for a nominal fee, the information they offer may be incomplete, outdated, or inaccurate. To access complete, accurate, and up-to-date Nevada criminal records, it is best to contact the RCCD or an appropriate local law enforcement agency or trial court. Trusted third-party platforms like NevadaPublicRecords.us that aggregate verified data from official databases can also serve as a useful resource for accessing reliable criminal record information in Nevada.