Nevada Arrest Records

In Nevada, arrest records are government files and documents regarding arrests conducted within the state. These documents typically contain information about the offense and the circumstances that led to the arrest. In addition, the records might include pre- and post-arrest information like warrants and booking information.

Nevada's law enforcement and criminal justice agencies, such as the Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department, the Clark Sheriff's Office, and the City of Henderson Police Department, typically create arrest records after booking an arrestee. The agencies often maintain the records as incident reports and may disclose them to interested parties.

Arresting officers make arrests when there is sufficient proof that an individual violated state or federal statutes. They also arrest individuals whose actions pos-e a potential risk to life or property. Arrestees are temporarily held in local jails pending the outcome of further investigations.

Nevada Arrest Statistics

Interested parties may find Nevada's arrest statistics report via the FBI's Crime Data Explorer. The federal database maintains yearly reports of all arrest events in the US states. Per the database report, Nevada's law enforcement agencies made 110,847 arrests in 2023. The report revealed that agencies made the most arrests for simple assaults and driving under the influence offenses at 34,885 and 20,603, respectively. Arrest information for other crime types is outlined in the table below:

Nevada 2023 Arrest Statistics

Are Arrest Records Public in Nevada?

Most arrest records are classified as public documents under the Nevada Public Records Act. The law allows the public to access records generated by public entities in the course of fulfilling their duty. In turn, public entities are legally required to provide options via which the public can request and obtain them. These options may include online databases and mail-based request options.

Note that some arrest records are exempt from public view. Such records often contain sensitive or confidential data whose disclosure might jeopardize the privacy of concerned parties. Arrest information regarding juvenile offenders is generally exempt from public access. Other examples of non-public arrest include the following:

• Arrest data about ongoing law enforcement investigations.
• Records that may reveal the identities of victims of sexual assault or trafficking.
• Records that are sealed under court order or statutes.
• Names or identifying information about complainants or witnesses.

Find Public Arrest Records in Nevada

Nevada residents can find public arrest records by using resources provided by official or third-party entities. Official entities typically include local- and state-level law enforcement agencies, county jails, and other criminal justice agencies.

That being said, these entities may allow online searches, mail-in, email, and in-person requests for records in their custody. For instance, the Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department allows in-person requests for arrest records. Inquirers are typically required to book an online appointment before visiting the agency's physical location.

Persons or entities seeking to obtain arrest records may follow these general steps:

1. Identify and contact the record custodian: Law enforcement agencies are the primary custodians of most arrest records in Nevada. In most cases, the local police department holds records of arrest events that occurred in areas under their jurisdiction.
2. Determine the guidelines for requesting records from the agency: Some agencies' websites feature guidelines for accessing records. Inquirers may locate the guideline by typing in "record" in the top right search bar of most agency websites. If there are no clear instructions, you should consider contacting the agency using the information provided on the "Contact Us" page. Interested persons may contact the record custodian to schedule an appointment for an in-person request or to obtain information about mail-in requests.

3. Submit the record request or conduct searches on available search repositories: Some record custodians offer online arrest logs or inmate search databases. Online search platforms are generally faster and more convenient than offline options. Inquirers using such platforms may need to provide the arrestee's name, ID, or arrest date to locate records.

   Mail-in requests involve sending a written request or a filled-out request form to the record custodian's mail address. Inquirers may attach the required copy fees along with the request form. Most record custodians will only accept payment in the form of money orders or checks made payable to the agency.

   For in-person requests, the requestor may schedule an appointment with the agency. While some record custodians allow walk-ins without a prior appointment, it is best to call to confirm record availability and schedule a meeting. The inquirer can obtain records in person by providing information about the subject of the record. Note that the agency may charge administrative and copy fees before releasing records.

Obtaining Restricted Arrest Records in Nevada

Arrest records that contain sensitive or confidential information are often redacted from public access. Such records contain information whose disclosure is deemed to not be in the public interest.

Per Nevada laws, only authorized persons or government officials can access such records. Authorized persons generally refer to persons with a tangible and legal right to the record. Third parties, however, must obtain a court order to access restricted records.

To obtain an order granting access to restricted records, the individual must submit a petition at the district court in the county where the arrest happened or the record is held. The necessary forms and filling instructions are available at the court clerk's office.

The courts generally consider two factors when granting requests to access restricted records. First, the presiding judge will determine if the requester's need to access that record outweighs the reason for restricting access. Also, the judge may consider the reasons behind the request. Hence, if a requester intends to use the information obtained for commercial purposes, the odds of granting the petition are low.

If the court grants the request, the petitioner must resubmit a record request along with the court order to the record custodian. The record custodian will then grant access to records under the terms outlined in the court order. For example, a court order may allow the petitioner to view the record but not to make copies. There are also instances when the court order allows you to view and copy records, but sensitive details remain redacted.

How to Look Up Arrest Records Online in Nevada

Arrest records are typically available online through databases maintained by sheriff's offices. Thus, interested persons may find arrest records by visiting the website maintained by the law enforcement agency in the county where the arrest happened.

For example, the Clark County Sheriff's Office maintains a search portal for arrestees held in the county jail. Similarly, the Carson City Sheriff's Office maintains an inmate search page for current inmates. Inquirers are typically required to provide search details to view records on the websites.

Record seekers may find and obtain Nevada arrest records through third-party search websites. These sites allow name- or location-based searches for arrest records. However, they are not government-affiliated and may not offer accurate or updated arrest information. Thus, inquirers must refer to official sources when using these sites.

What is Included in Nevada Arrest Records?

Arrest records in Nevada typically contain information about arrest events and related activities. Public members may locate these data in arrest records:

• Arrestee's name and aliases.
• Arrestee's physical description, including mugshots, age, and body markings.
• The arrestee's address as of the time of the arrest.
• Active warrant number.
• The date, time, and place of the arrest
• The offense for which the person was arrested
• Arrest type (warrant or warrantless)
• Incident or police report (for warrantless arrests)
• The investigating or arresting agency
• Case number
• Custody status
• Place of incarceration
• Booking details, including bail amount, release date, and time.

How Long Do Arrests Stay on Your Record in Nevada

In Nevada, arrests remain indefinitely on public records. The public is generally able to view such records until they are sealed or expunged. There are legal guidelines and requirements for removing arrest records from public domains. Arrestees must first fulfill specific criteria before they are eligible to expunge arrest records. For instance, you are eligible to expunge files concerning dismissed arrest charges.

Expunge an Arrest Record in Nevada

Nevada residents can expunge arrest records by filing a petition with a city or county court of competent jurisdiction. Arrestees are generally eligible to expunge arrest records if the charges were dismissed or did not lead to a court conviction. Furthermore, past offenders become eligible to expunge records after specific timeframes. Case in point: you can expunge misdemeanors five years after completing the court sentence. However, you must wait for ten years after the court sentence to expunge felony convictions.

Eligible parties can expunge Nevada arrest records via these steps:

1. Create a petition that includes these details:
   1. The petitioner's name and birthdate.
   2. Arrest charges and crime classification.
   3. Contact information of all agencies that are in possession of the arrest record.
2. File the petition for expungement with a county or city court of competent jurisdiction.

Upon receiving the petition, the court will notify the arresting agency or the prosecutor who handled the case. Next, the court may set up a hearing to review submissions from all concerned parties. If there are no objections, the court may issue an order of expungement to all agencies holding the record.

However, offenders may follow these steps to expunge criminal conviction records:

1. Create a petition that includes the following data:
   1. The petitioner's personal information.
   2. Criminal convictions
   3. Arrest dates concerning specific convictions.
   4. A verified criminal record from the Nevada State Police's Records Bureau.
2. File the petition with the county court that passed the conviction.

How Do I Find Recent Arrests in Nevada?

Nevada residents can find information on recent arrests by contacting the arresting agency in charge of arrests within the region. These agencies may maintain online or offline databases for recent arrest events. For example, the Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department maintains an online list of recently arrested persons.

In contrast, inquirers may opt to visit local agencies to view records of recent arrestees. Note that the agencies may attend to such requests during business hours. So, always call ahead or find out the business hours on their websites.

Are Nevada Arrest Records Free?

In Nevada, online arrest records are mostly free via online search websites maintained by government entities. Inquiries only need to provide relevant information to view records on these sites.
Some record custodians may offer free in-person viewing of records in their custody. Inquirers using such options must visit the agency's physical address during business hours.

Note that the agency may charge fees for retrieving or copying requested documents. There are instances when inquirers may qualify for fee waivers. Inquirers qualify when they are able to prove their inability to pay the charges. The agency may request bank statements or other information before granting a fee waiver.

Besides government-maintained search sites, inquirers may obtain free arrest records via third-party search websites. Some websites may offer basic arrest information for free and charge fees for comprehensive reports.