What information is contained in a Nevada Juvenile Record?

Nevada Juvenile Records may contain some or all of the following information:

• The biodata of the delinquent young person: full name, residential address, date of birth, photograph, and all personal information for identification.
• The arrest document: the unlawful act charged against the young person, the arresting agency, the place of arrest, etc.
• The proceedings: the type of court, the date of trial, date of final judgment, the kind of sentencing, the duration of sentencing, etc.

Juvenile records in Nevada are largely kept from the members of the public. For juvenile cases, fingerprints of juveniles are not required except in severe criminal matters. A juvenile offender will no longer be tried as a juvenile but as an adult.

What Cases are Heard by Nevada Juvenile Courts?

In a juvenile court in Nevada, the state’s constitution empowers the court to exercise jurisdiction over:

a) Child in need of supervision. This could either be a child who is in the habit of disobeying school rules or one who habitually runs away from home (parent’s residence or a foster home). Such children need rehabilitation. A child in need of supervision also refers to a child who needs to be admitted to an institution for the disabled. According to the state’s laws, a child in need of supervision is generally not treated as a delinquent child.

b) A delinquent child. This refers to a person between the age of 10 and 18 who have violated a county or municipal order. These violations typically include possession of marijuana or drug paraphernalia, shoplifting, theft, burglary, battery, robbery, sexual misconduct, etc.

In cases of severe legal violations and criminal behavior, the court ceases to operate as a juvenile court, and the child will be tried as an adult. For instance, a child who is 13 years old may be tried for homicide in an adult court. A 14-year child may also be tried as an adult for a felony case. A child who is 16 years of age may be tried as an adult for sexual assault or an attempted sexual assault.

Who is Eligible to View Juvenile Records in Nevada?

Information contained in most juvenile records is generally considered confidential. As such, it is not available for public perusal. Based on the state’s laws, the purpose of juvenile justice is not to punish; rather, it ensures safety, placement, rehabilitation, educational success, and the well-being of the child who is adjudicated, delinquent. For this reason, only the following are eligible to view juvenile records in Nevada:

• Law enforcement agencies
• Social welfare agencies that take direct care of the juvenile's mental and social well-being
• The school authorities
• Persons or bodies who intend to use the information for statistical and research purposes, and who must obtain a court order for access may be granted.
• The parent or guardian
• The child

How to Find Juvenile Records in Nevada

Juvenile records may be found by requesting them in person at the juvenile justice system’s juvenile records unit. Alternatively, requesters may check online, but the online check’s only result is a rap sheet. To get a rap sheet, a requester will have to fill out a form for identification. But to get the comprehensive record, an interested person needs to send a mail or visit the address below:

Public Information Officer
Attn: Public Records Request
Department of Health and Human Services
Director’s Office
4126 Technology Way
Suite 100 Carson City, NV 89706
Email: nvdhhs@dhhs.nv.gov

Records that are considered public may be accessible from some third-party websites. Operating independently of any federal, state or local agency, such websites may simplify the search process as they are not limited by geographic location. In addition, third-party sites typically have search engines that can be used for filtering specific or multiple record(s). To use third-party or government websites, interested parties may need to provide:

• The name of the person involved in the record, unless said person is a juvenile
• The location or assumed location of the record or person involved. This includes information such as the city, county, or state that the person resides in or was accused in

However, third-party sites are independent of government sources and are not sponsored by these government agencies. Therefore, the record results, availability, or accuracy cannot be guaranteed.

Can you Look Up Nevada Juvenile Records Online?

No. Juvenile records are generally inaccessible online because such information is considered confidential in Nevada. The juvenile justice system aims to provide correctional and rehabilitation for young people who have committed an unlawful act.

Do Nevada Juvenile Records Show up on Background Checks?

If a thorough check is done, there is a possibility of finding background checks on a person’s juvenile records. This is why the sealing or expungement of documents is important; that way, a person is sure that any background checks will show up. Once a young person reaches 21, the juvenile records are expunged without any necessary petition. However, children under the age of 21 may apply for expungement through the probation or parole officer. Applicants typically have to satisfy all requirements for expungement. Submitted applications may be made after three years of the child’s last adjudication of being delinquent, needing supervision, or placed under the supervision of the juvenile court. As long as the child does not have pending delinquent charges, the court may grant the child’s record sealing.

How Long are Juvenile Records Kept in Nevada?

Generally, juvenile records are automatically expunged once the juvenile reaches 21. This applies to unlawful acts that were committed, which are not considered severe. If a young person is charged with an illegal act, such as rape, any felony, or the use of a dangerous weapon, the process for expunging their record becomes more complicated. The law stipulates that a young person who has been adjudicated delinquent for severe criminal offenses generally must go through a lengthy process and meet all requirements before their juvenile record can be expunged.. On the 30th birthday, such a person may qualify for record sealing.