Criminal Defense Attorney in Reno, NV

Which Court Will Handle Your Case?

Where your case is heard depends on what you’re charged with. Understanding Washoe County’s court structure helps you make sense of what’s ahead.

Reno Justice Court handles misdemeanor charges, traffic violations, and preliminary hearings for gross misdemeanor and felony cases. Misdemeanor arraignments are often scheduled within days of arrest, which is why prompt legal engagement matters.

The Second Judicial District Court (Washoe County District Court) has jurisdiction over gross misdemeanors, felonies, and serious criminal matters throughout Washoe County. Felony cases involve more complex procedures, including potential grand jury proceedings and jury trials.

Federal cases involving drug trafficking across state lines, weapons offenses with jurisdictional reach, or white-collar crimes fall under the U.S. District Court for the District of Nevada, Reno Division. Federal criminal procedure differs significantly from state court, and the stakes are typically higher.

What Happens After an Arrest in Nevada

For someone facing criminal charges for the first time, the process can feel disorienting. Here is what the sequence generally looks like in Washoe County.

After arrest, you go through booking and then an initial appearance or arraignment, where charges are formally read and a bail determination is made. At arraignment, you enter a plea. Pleading not guilty preserves your legal options and gives the defense time to investigate the prosecution’s evidence before any decisions are locked in.

Discovery follows arraignment. The prosecution must disclose the evidence it intends to use, and the defense can challenge how that evidence was gathered. Pretrial motions can seek to exclude evidence obtained in violation of your constitutional rights. Most criminal cases in Washoe County resolve through negotiation rather than trial, but building a strong pretrial position can create leverage at the negotiating table.

Consequences That Follow a Conviction

Jail time and fines are only part of what a conviction costs. A criminal record creates barriers that persist long after the case is closed.

• Employment and Licensing: Many employers and licensing boards conduct background checks. A felony or certain misdemeanor convictions can disqualify applicants from jobs or professional licenses.
• Housing: Landlords routinely screen for criminal records, and a conviction can limit your housing options significantly.
• Civil Rights: A felony conviction in Nevada results in the loss of voting rights while incarcerated. Under Nevada law, those rights are automatically restored upon release from prison, even for individuals still on parole or probation.
• Domestic Violence Convictions: Even a misdemeanor domestic violence conviction triggers federal firearm restrictions under the Lautenberg Amendment and can directly affect child custody proceedings.
• Immigration Status: Non-citizens facing criminal charges in Nevada risk deportation or inadmissibility consequences that a conviction can trigger.
• Record Sealing: Nevada law allows for record sealing after certain waiting periods, with eligibility depending on the charge type and case outcome. Avoiding a conviction, or negotiating a lesser charge, can affect future sealing options.