Animal Cruelty Laws in Nevada

Animal cruelty (torturing, overdriving, injuring, depriving an animal of sustenance, and similar acts) is a misdemeanor for a first offense within seven years (2 days to 6 months in jail, 48 to 120 hours of community service and a $200 to $1,000 fine) and for a second (10 days to 6 months, 100 to 200 hours and $500 to $1,000); a third or later offense is a category C felony (1 to 5 years). Willfully and maliciously torturing, maiming, mutilating or killing a dog, cat or other companion animal is a category D felony, or a category B felony (1 to 6 years and up to $10,000) if the animal dies or the act was meant to threaten or terrorize a person. The court must order restitution and may order the animal surrendered; under NRS 574.2035 a court may also bar a person found unfit from owning or possessing animals.

Nevada's rule on court-appointed lawyers: A defendant charged with a public offense who is unable to employ counsel makes an oral request to the district judge, justice of the peace, municipal judge or master; the request 'must be accompanied by the defendant's affidavit' stating that the defendant lacks means to employ an attorney and setting out specific facts about the financial disability. The judge or master must forthwith consider the application, may make further inquiry, and if satisfied that the defendant lacks means and that representation is required, appoints counsel. The section sets no numeric income cutoff and no fee to the defendant. NRS 171.188

Lawyers set their own fees, and Nevada has rules on how they may charge. See hiring a criminal defense lawyer in Nevada for fee rules, how to check a lawyer's license and free help.

How release before trial works in Nevada: 'A person arrested for an offense other than murder of the first degree must be admitted to bail' (NRS 178.484(1)); a person arrested for first-degree murder may be admitted to bail unless the proof is evident or the presumption great (NRS 178.484(4)). The court must hold a pretrial release determination 'within 48 hours after a person has been taken into custody' (NRS 178.4849). Bail or release conditions may be imposed only as 'the least restrictive means necessary to protect the safety of the community', with findings explaining why (NRS 178.4851). In setting bail, the court must consider 'The financial ability of the defendant to give bail,' the nature of the offense, the defendant's character, and the NRS 178.4853 factors (NRS 178.498), which include length of residence in the community, employment history, prior criminal record, and danger to the victim or community. Certain arrests (for example, some domestic battery offenses) may not be admitted to bail sooner than 12 hours after arrest. NRS 178.484, 178.4849, 178.4851, 178.4853, 178.498 What happens after an arrest.

Each state sets its own rules for sealing or expunging records. See Nevada expungement and record sealing rules.