Nevada Arrest Records

Nevada arrest records are documents created when law enforcement take an individual into custody for committing an offense. These documents contain information about the offense and the circumstances that led to the arrest. Although arrest records show that an individual was involved with the Nevada criminal justice system, they are not definitive proof of the subject’s guilt.   

Generally, persons who obtain Nevada arrest records can expect to find details like the subject’s name, offense, charges, and count, as well as the suspect’s initial plea, bail conditions, and amount. An arrest record will also contain the individual’s mugshot, details about the arresting agency, and the place where the individual was held for processing. 

Aggregate data obtained from the Uniform Crime Reporting (UCR) program shows that Nevada law enforcement agencies made 106,466 arrests in 2022. Simple assault made up the largest proportion of arrests (18.7%, 19,892), followed by driving under the influence (10.7%, 11,373) and drug abuse violations (7.4%, 7,884). Statistics show that arrests in Nevada increased by 1.6% between 2021 and 2022. However, the arrest rate declined by 6.5% in the preceding seven years between 2015 and 2022. 

Are Arrest Records Public in Nevada?

Yes. Arrest records are public per the Nevada Public Records Act unless otherwise restricted by law or court order. Generally, arrest records of adults are available to the public, and interested persons may obtain them by contacting the arresting agency. However, arrest records containing sensitive information or those about minors and persons in protective custody are sequestered from public access. 

Furthermore, if releasing an arrest record will compromise the integrity of a criminal justice process, the record custodian will temporarily make them unavailable to the public. Consequently, only authorized persons may view and obtain copies of the arrest record. However, if the custodian is compelled to release a sensitive record, confidential details will be redacted. 

What is Included in Nevada Arrest Records?

Persons who obtain a copy of a Nevada arrest record can expect to find the following information: 

• The subject’s name and aliases 
• Mugshot or photograph
• Age
• Physical description (race, hair color, weight, height) 
• Address
• The date, time, and place of the arrest 
• The offense for which the person was arrested
• Arrest type (warrant or warrantless) 
• Warrant (for warrant arrests)
• Incident or police report (for warrantless arrests)
• The investigating or arresting agency
• Case number
• Custody status 
• Place of incarceration
• Booking details, including bail amount and release date and time. 

Find Public Arrest Records in Nevada

Finding arrest records in Nevada is a two-part process: identifying the record custodian and submitting a record request. After identifying the agency in charge of the record sought, the requestor must contact the custodian or search an online arrest list if the custodian maintains one. Alternatively, the requestor may call or visit the record custodian in person to obtain arrest records. 

An online search is the most convenient and fastest of the aforementioned options, and many record custodians have discontinued record distribution by email. Mail and in-person searches are still available and should be considered when requesting additional documents like the warrant or police report. 

Identify and Contact the Record Custodian

Generally, the record custodian is the law enforcement agency that took the individual into custody. In most cases, this is the sheriff’s office in the county or city where the offense happened. Identifying the correct record custodian is important because sending a record request to the wrong agency will result in a denial. 

Next, the requestor must contact the record custodian or visit its website to find the information sought. Interested persons may also contact the record custodian to schedule an appointment for an in-person visit or get details about sending mail-in requests. 

Submit the Record Request

Most sheriff's offices have an online arrest list open to the public. Consider using this option when it is available as it is faster, more convenient, and usually free, compared with the alternatives. 

When submitting a request for an arrest record by mail, write a letter with sufficient details to facilitate a record search. At the very least, the letter must contain the arrestee’s full name. Providing extra details like the arrest date and other descriptives may expedite the search. The letter must also contain the requestor’s contact information, including their phone number, email, and return address. 

If these details are available, mail a packet containing a money order or certified check and a self-addressed envelope to the record custodian’s address. Because determining the cost of record retrieval beforehand can be challenging, it is advisable to contact an agency before sending a mail request. 

For in-person requests, the requestor must 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. Like in the aforementioned methods, the requestor must provide enough details to facilitate a search, i.e., the arrestee’s full name. They may also be required to pay administrative and copying fees. These fees typically apply for voluminous records or archived records that are not readily retrievable. 

Obtaining Restricted Arrest Records in Nevada

Restricted arrest records are sequestered from public access because of the sensitivity of the information they contain. For example, arrest records that fall in this category include those about minors as well as those containing information that may compromise the safety and identity of protected persons (victims and witnesses). Likewise, records that may jeopardize law enforcement investigations or judicial proceedings may be restricted. 

Per Nevada laws, restricted records can only be obtained by authorized individuals and government officials or agencies. These include the persons named in the record, their legal representatives, and officials whose roles require them to access the record. A third party who wishes to access a restricted arrest record must obtain an order from a court of competent jurisdiction. 

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. While it is possible to self-petition, the odds of getting the court order increase with professional help. Hence, persons submitting a petition to access restricted records should consider hiring a criminal law attorney. 

Courts generally consider two factors granting petitions for access to restricted records. For one, the presiding judge will consider whether the requestor’s need to access that record outweighs the reason for restricting access. Also, the judge may consider the second-order effects of granting the petitioner access to the restricted record. Hence, if a requestor intends to use the information obtained for commercial purposes, the odds of granting the petition are low. 

If a petition to access a restricted arrest record is successful, the requestor must submit a new request with a copy of the court order attached. The record custodian will grant access under the terms outlined in the order. For example, an order may allow the petitioner to view the record but not make copies. Conversely, it may allow the petitioner to view and obtain copies with the sensitive details redacted. 

How to Lookup 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 an inmate information search portal for persons taken into custody or serving time at the Clark County Jail. Similarly, the Carson City Sheriff's Office maintains an inmate search page for offenders in its custody. To lookup arrest records on these websites, searchers must provide the subject’s first and last name. It is possible to lookup arrest records if you only know the first or last name, but the search is less refined and will return all matching results.  

Besides the aforementioned sources, one may obtain arrest records from repositories maintained by independent service providers. Finding arrest records on aggregate websites is a good way to start, especially if one does not know the custodian for the arrest record sought. Note, however, that these service providers are not affiliated with the government. Hence, the accuracy and completeness of the records obtained may vary. Thus, consider confirming the information obtained with official sources before using the results for official purposes like background checks.  

How Long Do Arrests Stay on Your Record in Nevada

It depends. Generally, arrests remain on a person’s record permanently in Nevada. However, it is possible to remove the arrest or seal the record from public access under certain circumstances. To do this, the individual and the offense must meet specified requirements. In most cases, a person can get an arrest off their record if the incident did not result in a conviction or the prosecution did not file charges. Likewise, persons who receive a pardon for a crime can get the arrest off their record. 

Expunge an Arrest Record in Nevada

Persons who wish to expunge their arrest record in Nevada should already have the most current version of their criminal record. This record contains a chronological history of all arrests and prosecutions in Nevada and is usually for tracking arrests eligible for expungement. Nevada criminal records are available through the Nevada Department of Public Safety.  

District courts in Nevada counties have differing instructions for applying for an arrest record sealing, although the procedure is the same. For instance, the Carson City district court has systematic instructions for applying for arrest record sealing. 

Generally, the petitioner must obtain a criminal history letter from the Sheriff’s Office. Then, they must prepare and complete the necessary forms, submit copies to the District Attorney’s Office, and file the original at the Court Clerk’s Office. The DA’s Office will review the application for an objection or non-opposition. If the DA’s Office does not object to or oppose the petition, the court will review the petition. In some cases, the presiding judge may hold a hearing. If the court will issue an order sealing the arrest record. The petitioner must make and send copies of this order to the relevant law enforcement agencies in Nevada.  

Note: while one can apply for an expungement as a self-represented petitioner, the process may be challenging to navigate without legal guidance. Consider hiring a criminal law attorney or consulting professionals at a Nevada legal clinic to increase the odds of getting a successful petition. 

How Do I Find Recent Arrests in Nevada?

Persons looking for information on recent arrests may contact the sheriff’s office in the county or city where the incident happened. Sheriff Offices typically maintain online repositories that concerned persons may search for information on recent arrestees. Another way to find information, albeit limited, is through local news organizations. While it is possible to find information on recent arrests online, persons who need additional details, like the warrant or incident report, may visit the Sheriff’s Office during business hours. 

Are Nevada Arrest Records Free?

Yes. Nevada arrest records accessed from the record custodian’s website are free to the public. However, requestors who visit the record custodian’s office in person or send mail requests may incur service fees that cover the cost of processing their request. These fees typically apply when requesting archived records or making copies of voluminous records. 

Nevertheless, it is possible to get these fees waived by applying for a waiver. The requestor must contact the record custodian directly to get this waiver. When applying for a fee waiver, the requestor must demonstrate a clear need or inability to pay the service fees without financial aid. The evidence required to demonstrate financial need varies with the agency, so it is important to contact the agency with the record directly.

Besides law enforcement databases, one may obtain free arrest records on repositories maintained by independent service providers. While most service providers charge a fee for access, many offer a trial period during which users may access arrest records for free. After this period elapses, the user must pay per search or sign up for a subscription.