Nevada Misdemeanors

Nevada Misdemeanor
Criminal offenses have several degrees of severity and can range from Class 3 Misdemeanors to Class 1 Felonies. The classification of the crime depends on the crime's severity and the number of criminal offenses. Different states have different classifications. One state may deem a certain crime as a misdemeanor while another would deem the same crime a felony. Nevada has three classifications of misdemeanors. A Class 1 Misdemeanor is the most serious of the misdemeanor categories and is followed the Class 2 Misdemeanor. The Class 3 Misdemeanor is the lowest class of all offenses, including felonies. Driving under the influence as a first offense, traffic crimes, driving under the influence as a second offense, vandalism, shoplifting, criminal damage to property, driving while intoxicated, trespassing, disorderly conduct, simple assault, simple battery, and resisting arrest are just some of the misdemeanor crimes as specified by the state of Nevada. The third offense for driving under the influence can result in a felony conviction instead of a misdemeanor conviction.

Misdemeanors are defined as criminal convictions that are punishable by no more than twelve months in a county jail. Accordingly if an individual is charged for two or three misdemeanors at the same time, he or she will most often serve them consecutively. For example an individual may be charged with vandalism, shoplifting, and battery all at once with convictions of three months, six months, and eight months that results in seventeen months in a county jail. At times crimes may not be served consecutively and individuals are allowed out of jail early on good behavior in some facilities. Fines often accompany jail sentences. These vary depending on the degree of the crime and the misdemeanor class.

Nevada Felonies
Like misdemeanors felonies are separated into different degrees and include capital crimes. These range from Class 1 Felonies through Class 6 Felonies. Class 1 Felonies are the most serious and are punishable by life in prison. Class 6 Felonies are only one step above Class 1 Misdemeanors in severity. Felony offenses include robbery, arson, burglary, rape, murder, homicide, sexual abuse, manslaughter, and aggravated assault.

Classifications
Misdemeanors and felonies are decided by several factors, include factors about an individual. If an offender has past criminal convictions, especially those in the same criteria as the new offense, a crime that may have been classified as a Class 2 Misdemeanor will then be classified as a Class 1 Misdemeanor instead.

Nevada Expungement
Expungement is the legal elimination of past criminal records. This allows an individual to lawfully say that he or she never was arrest of a crime. This is helpful in apply for new employment, applying for professional licensing, applying for educational grants, and during credit checks. Unlike other states some felonies are able to be expunged under certain circumstances in Nevada. Class 1 and 2 Felonies may be eligible after fifteen years from the date of release from custody or after discharge from probation or parole. Class 3 and 4 Felonies can be expunged after twelve years from the date of release from custody or discharge from parole or probation. Class 5 and 6 Felonies can be expunged under the same circumstances after ten years along with most misdemeanors after seven years.

See also:
Nevada Felony External link (opens in new window)
Nevada Expungement External link (opens in new window)
Nevada Gun Laws External link (opens in new window)