Frequently Asked Questions

The North Las Vegas City Attorney Criminal Division is located in the Justice Facility at 2332 Las Vegas Boulevard North. The telephone number is 633-2100. To ask about Court dates, warrants or fine payments, please contact the North Las Vegas Municipal Court, also in the Justice Facility.

The City Attorney prosecutes only misdemeanor cases that happen inside city limits. Misdemeanors are cases that have a maximum sentence of six months in jail and/or a fine of up to $1,000. The most common misdemeanors are traffic offenses (including DUI), shoplifting, small amounts of illegal drugs, battery (including domestic violence) and violations of City Codes. The District Attorney handles felony cases that carry sentences of one year or more in State prison.

The City Attorney doesn’t represent either the victim of a crime or the person accused. The City Attorney represents the interests of the City by enforcing the laws of the City and State. The City Attorney does provide help to victims and witnesses through the Advocates who work in the office. They can explain the Court process; give information about the status of cases; make referrals to safe houses and other community resources; and, go to Court with victims.

The City Attorney does not do criminal investigations. Reports of crime should be filed with the North Las Vegas Police Department. If you are the victim of a crime, you should make a report as soon as possible. Call the police at 633-9111 or, in emergencies, dial 9-1-1.

Although the City Attorney always considers the wishes of crime victims in making decisions concerning prosecution, those decisions are made solely by the office. The Prosecutor must consider many factors including the facts of the case; the defendant’s prior record; the protection of other citizens and the possible intimidation of witnesses.

The Court will appoint a defense lawyer to people accused of crimes only if they cannot afford to hire a lawyer, and if the City Attorney is asking for jail time upon conviction. If no jail time is being asked, defendants can either hire a lawyer or represent themselves. At the first Court appearance the City Attorney will tell the Court if jail is being sought.

Domestic violence is a physical confrontation between family members or people in a relationship that live together. It may involve husband/wife; boyfriend/girlfriend; parent/child or even brothers and sisters.

The law requires police to make an arrest when they see that someone has been hurt by domestic violence. The police may arrest one or more of the people involved. Domestic violence is a serious crime the City Attorney will always prosecute.

Call the police immediately. Dial 9-1-1 if the abuser is still there. Victims of actual, or even threatened, abuse can get Court orders requiring the abuser to stay away from the victims or anywhere they may be. These Protection Orders can be obtained from the Family Court at 601 N. Pecos. Call 455-3400. Once a Protection Order is issued, keep a copy handy at all times. Do not allow violations of the Order by inviting the abuser to visit "on good behavior". All violations of a Protection Order should be reported to the police immediately.

A subpoena is a legal paper that requires you to come to Court on a specified date and time because you are a potential witness in a criminal case. If you don’t come to Court, the Judge may hold you in contempt and issue a warrant for your arrest. Your employer may not punish you for obeying a subpoena.