Hiring a Criminal Defense Lawyer in Nevada
How criminal defense lawyers in Nevada charge, your right to a court-appointed lawyer, how bail works, how to check a lawyer's license, and free help. We do not recommend or rank lawyers.
What a lawyer costs in Nevada: fee rules
| Rules on contingency fees | Under Nevada Rule of Professional Conduct 1.5(c), a contingent fee agreement must be in writing, signed by the client, and must state in boldface type at least as large as the largest type in the agreement: how the fee is determined, including the percentage(s) for settlement, trial or appeal; whether expenses are deducted from the recovery and whether before or after the fee is calculated; whether the client owes expenses regardless of outcome; that if the client loses, the client may be liable for the opposing party's attorney fees and will be liable for its costs as required by law; and that a suit brought solely to harass or coerce a settlement may result in liability for malicious prosecution or abuse of process. At the end, the lawyer must give a written statement of the outcome and any remittance. Rule 1.5(d) bars fees in domestic relations matters contingent on securing a divorce or on the amount of alimony, support or property settlement, and contingent fees for defending a criminal case. By statute (NRS 7.095), in actions for injury or death against a health care provider based on professional negligence, an attorney may not contract for or collect a contingent fee of more than 35 percent of the amount recovered (net of litigation costs), whether by settlement, arbitration or judgment. NRS 7.095: https://www.leg.state.nv.us/NRS/NRS-007.html |
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| If you disagree with a lawyer's bill | The State Bar of Nevada's Fee Dispute program is free and voluntary, for disputes of at least $250. Most disputes go to mediation first; if mediation fails and both parties have agreed to binding arbitration, an arbitrator or panel holds a hearing and decides the fee owed. File the Petitioner's Agreement for Arbitration of Fee Dispute (online, or request a mailed copy) with supporting documents in PDF to the Fee Dispute Department. The committee cannot hear fees already fixed by a court, malpractice or misconduct claims, or a matter already filed in court unless a court directs it. |
Nevada rules to know first
| Getting a court-appointed lawyer | 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. Source: NRS 171.188 |
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| Bail and release before trial | '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. |
| Felony classes and sentences | A felony is a crime punishable by death or by imprisonment in the state prison (NRS 193.120). Felonies are divided into categories A through E (NRS 193.130(2)): Category A — death or imprisonment in the state prison for life with or without the possibility of parole; Category B — minimum term of not less than 1 year and maximum term of not more than 20 years; Category C — 1 to 5 years, and a fine of not more than $10,000 unless a greater fine is authorized; Category D — 1 to 4 years, and a fine of not more than $5,000; Category E — 1 to 4 years and a fine of not more than $5,000, but the court must generally suspend the sentence and grant probation (with up to 1 year in county jail allowed as a condition), subject to exceptions. Source: NRS 193.120, 193.130 |
Find and check a lawyer
| Lawyer referral service | The State Bar of Nevada's Lawyer Referral Service (LRS) refers callers to a private attorney who practices in the relevant area of law. Call 702-382-0504 or toll-free 1-800-789-5747 (800-789-LRIS), or use the online option. The referred attorney may charge a $45 non-refundable fee for a consultation of up to 30 minutes; after that, fees are negotiated directly with the attorney, and there is no obligation to hire the attorney. If you cannot afford regular fees, LRS may try to prequalify you for a reduced-fee attorney (no more than $25 for the initial consultation and no more than $75 per hour after that) or refer you to another legal services agency. LRS overview: https://nvbar.org/for-the-public/find-a-lawyer/lrs/ |
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| Check that the lawyer is licensed | The State Bar of Nevada, a public corporation supervised by the Nevada Supreme Court, licenses Nevada lawyers. Its Bar Status page explains the license statuses (such as Active, Inactive, Administrative Suspension, Discipline Suspension and Disbarment), and the bar says it can tell you whether an attorney is licensed in Nevada and in good standing; call the Las Vegas office at 702-382-2200 or the Reno office at 775-329-4100. |
| Check discipline history or file a complaint | The State Bar of Nevada's Office of Bar Counsel investigates complaints of attorney misconduct. File online with the complaint form, by U.S. mail, or in person at the Las Vegas office (3100 W. Charleston Blvd., Suite 100, Las Vegas, NV 89102) or Reno office (9456 Double R Blvd., Suite B, Reno, NV 89521); filing is free. Include your contact information, the lawyer's name and firm, a detailed narrative with dates and copies of supporting documents, and file a separate complaint for each attorney. Steps are initial review (usually within 10 business days), a written response from the lawyer, investigation, screening panel review and, if warranted, a formal hearing; it can take one to six months or longer. Reprimands, suspensions and disbarments are public; dismissals and private admonitions are not. The bar issues a Certificate of Good Standing and Statement of Discipline History. FAQs: https://nvbar.org/for-the-public/attorney-discipline/faqs-attorney-discipline/ |
Free legal help
| Free legal aid | Nevada Legal Services provides free civil legal assistance statewide to low-income Nevadans who meet its eligibility requirements; you can check eligibility and apply through its online intake form or contact the nearest office. The Legal Services Corporation (LSC) lists Nevada Legal Services as the LSC-funded grantee in the state. In Clark County, the Family Law Self-Help Center (run by Legal Aid Center of Southern Nevada under contract with Clark County) offers information and forms for people representing themselves. Family Law Self-Help Center: https://www.familylawselfhelpcenter.org/; LSC grantee list: https://www.lsc.gov/about-lsc/our-grantees |
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All legal help in Nevada · Background guide
General legal information, not legal advice. Laws change and local rules can differ; check the linked official source or talk to a lawyer about your situation.