Las Vegas Justice Court

Defending Criminal Charges In The Las Vegas Justice Court

In Nevada, the Justice Court has authority over both misdemeanor and felony cases. The Las Vegas Justice Court specifically handles crimes within the city of Las Vegas. Individuals arrested for cases within the Las Vegas Township Justice Court are taken to the Clark County Detention Center on Casino Center Boulevard. Irrespective of the offense type – misdemeanor, gross misdemeanor, or felony – prosecution is carried out by the Clark County District Attorney’s Office.

Alternatively, if someone is detained in a city jail post-arrest, such as the one on Steward and Mojave, their case will be addressed in the Las Vegas Municipal Court. Situated at 200 Lewis Avenue in downtown Las Vegas, the Las Vegas Justice Court operates from the Regional Justice Center (“RJC”), where the court clerk is located on the second floor. Other courts housed in the Regional Justice Center include the Las Vegas Municipal Court and Clark County District Court.

The Las Vegas Justice Court is divided into eleven departments, each overseen by a Justice of the Peace. Furthermore, it hosts specialty courts for Domestic Violence and DUI/Vehicular cases. If you’re facing criminal charges in the Las Vegas Justice Court, it’s critical to have a skilled and experienced criminal defense attorney in your corner. Contact Spartacus Criminal Defense Lawyers today to schedule a consultation and learn more about how we can help.

About the Las Vegas Justice Court

The Las Vegas Justice Court is widely recognized for its thorough legal supervision in the city. Situated in the esteemed Regional Justice Center, this court exemplifies the stringent legal criteria maintained in Las Vegas. It accommodates a diverse range of cases, from minor disagreements to substantial legal disputes.

Cases Heard At The Las Vegas Justice Court

The court specializes in various legal domains, such as:

• Traffic violations
• Small claims
• Preliminary hearings for felony cases
• Misdemeanors
• Evictions
• And other civil matters within its jurisdiction

Initial Hearings In The Las Vegas Justice Court

In the Las Vegas Justice Court, initial appearances come in two forms – the 48-hour hearing and the 72-hour hearing. If an individual promptly posts bail, their first arraignment appearance at the Las Vegas Justice Center is scheduled for the return court date. Otherwise, if they receive a misdemeanor citation or summons instead of an arrest warrant, they are not formally arrested. Hiring an attorney before the return court date allows the attorney to represent you and waive your appearance, sparing you from having to appear in person.

For defendants who do not post bail immediately, a 48-hour Hearing is held after they are taken to the Clark County Detention Center, conducted “in camera” where the judge reviews the case privately. During this hearing, the court decides whether to adjust the bail amount. The bail can be increased or decreased during this proceeding.

The 72-hour Hearing, on the other hand, is the first open court hearing for defendants still in custody at the Clark County Detention Center. During this hearing, the defendant is presented with the criminal complaint, arraigned on the charges, and enters a plea of “not guilty.” The court may revise the bail amount or release the defendant on their own recognizance at this time.

Following the initial appearance, misdemeanor cases remain in the Las Vegas Justice Court, while felony or gross misdemeanor cases are elevated to the District Court to be heard by a District Court judge. Bench trials exclusively take place in the Las Vegas Justice Court, while jury trials are held in the District Court for more severe offenses.

Preliminary Hearings In Las Vegas Justice Court

In cases involving gross misdemeanors or felonies without a negotiated plea deal, a preliminary hearing is held at the Las Vegas Justice Court. During this hearing, the prosecutor will present evidence and testimony to establish probable cause for the alleged crime. Your criminal defense attorney has the opportunity to cross-examine the state’s witnesses or introduce additional witnesses. If probable cause is demonstrated, the case will be transferred to the district court for further proceedings, which may include a jury trial. Insufficient evidence presented by the prosecutor could lead to the dismissal of charges.

The Failure To Appear Warrant From The Las Vegas Justice Court

Failure to attend a court date at the Las Vegas Justice Court could lead to the judge issuing an arrest warrant from the bench, commonly known as a “bench warrant” or a “failure to appear warrant.” Typically, these warrants come with a “no bond” condition, preventing the defendant from posting bail after arrest. In some instances, a higher bond may be specified on the warrant.

If you miss your court appearance and a bench warrant are issued due to your absence, hiring a private criminal defense attorney in Las Vegas to file a motion to “quash the bench warrant” or request to “set aside or recall the warrant” is advisable. Having the judge in the Las Vegas Justice Court revoke the bench warrant can prevent the creation of a new arrest record and mug shot.

Should you be apprehended on the warrant before you can address it, you will be taken into custody and brought before the court for a bench warrant return hearing.

Motion Hearings At The Las Vegas Justice Court

In misdemeanor cases at the Las Vegas Justice Court, the criminal defense attorney typically submits pre-trial motions. Subsequently, the attorney arranges for a specific hearing date concerning the filed motion. These motions may encompass various matters such as:

1. Request to consolidate cases;
2. Petition for bond exoneration;
3. Motion to detain the defendant due to a bond or bail violation (e.g., new arrest);
4. Appeal for bail reduction;
5. Filing an amended criminal complaint motion;
6. Request to cancel a bench warrant post non-appearance;
7. Motion to suppress or exclude evidence;
8. Petition for charges dismissal.

It’s crucial to engage a criminal defense lawyer early in your case. Following an arrest or citation, the arresting officer forwards details to the Clark County District Attorney’s Office. There, a review determines if the charges will proceed. The District Attorney then assesses the charges to be filed, if any. Upon release from jail, you’ll receive an “out-of-custody” court date. During this interim period, the prosecutor at the Clark County District Attorney’s Office will decide on filing charges and their nature.