Las Vegas Criminal Defense Blog

This month police arrested a fifty-three year old man for allegedly violating Nevada credit card fraud law. He allegedly installed credit card skimming devices in at least three stores in Las Vegas in order to gather others' credit card information. Police believe that he will face more charges as their investigation continues.

Nevada credit card fraud law is a kind of white collar offense. Common examples include buying goods with a lost or stolen credit card, counterfeiting credit cards, trafficking credit cards, and possessing materials to manufacture fake credit cards. Having a credit card fraud conviction on your record looks very bad and may cause future employers not to hire you.

Nevada credit card fraud law is usually litigated in federal court. Convictions may result in prison sentences as high as ten to twenty years if not more. The sentence usually includes restitution and fines as well.

For more on this story go to: http://www.fox5vegas.com/news/26782164/detail.html

Police have arrested ten people and are looking for two more for allegedly stealing over a dozen guns from a Pahrump residence on Superbowl Sunday. The arrest followed the suspects leading police on a high speed chase. The suspects face several charges including DUI, conspiracy, grand larceny, burglary, possession of stolen property, and the Nevada crime of possession of a stolen vehicle.

The Nevada crime of possession of a stolen vehicle occurs when someone intentionally possesses or receives a car they know (or reasonably should have known) has been stolen. This law is also applicable to motorcycles and trucks. Common defenses include that you didn't know the car was stolen, you didn't possess the car, and that the police violated the 4th Amendment when investigating your case.

Penalties for the Nevada crime of possession of a stolen vehicle depends on how much the car is worth. If it's less than $2,500, the sentence is restitution, one to five years in prison, and maybe $10,000 in fines. Otherwise, the sentence is restitution, one to ten years in prison and up to $10,000 in fines.

For more on this story go to: http://www.fox5vegas.com/news/26778127/detail.html

Last month a thirty-year-old man allegedly tried to rob a bar in southwest Las Vegas. The bartender shot him, and he has since died. If he lived, he would have faced charges for burglary with a deadly weapon, assault with a deadly weapon, possession of a firearm by a prohibited person, and the Nevada crime of possession of stolen property.

The Nevada crime of possession of stolen property makes it illegal to have property that you know (or should have reasonably known) is stolen. You may be charged with possession of stolen property in Nevada even if the person who stole it was never caught. Typical defenses include that you didn't know the property was stolen, you didn't possess the property, and that the cops performed an illegal search to find the property.

Penalties for the Nevada crime of possession of stolen property turns on the worth of the property. If it's less than $250, the punishment is restitution, up to six months in jail and/or up to $1,000 in fines. If it's at least $250 but less than $2,500, the punishment is restitution, one to five years in prison and maybe $10,000 in fines. And if it's $2,500 or more, the sentence is restitution, one to ten years in prison, and up to $10,000 in fines.

For more on this story go to: http://www.lvrj.com/news/robber-shot-by-bartender-dies-114610964.html?ref=964

Last week a sixty-seven year old disbarred lawyer pleaded guilty to forgery and violating Nevada theft law stemming from allegations that he forged judicial documents and stole more than $200,000 from clients. Sentencing is set for April, and he's currently being held at the Clark County Detention Center. He faces up to fourteen years in prison.

Nevada theft law comprises several different crimes including petty larceny, grand larceny, burglary, robbery, larceny from a person, auto-theft, possession of stolen property, and possession of a stolen vehicle. The term shoplifting can be either petty larceny or grand larceny depending on whether the value of the goods is below $250 or not. "Pick-pocketing" is the common name for larceny from a person.

The penalties for violating Nevada theft law depend on the type of theft and the value of the goods. For example, petty larceny is only a misdemeanor carrying a maximum of six months in jail. But robbery is a category B felony, potentially carrying fifteen years in prison or more if a weapon was used.

For more on this story, go to: http://www.lvrj.com/news/disbarred-lawyer-pleads-guilty-to-forgery-theft-in-las-vegas-115652394.html

Last week a woman from Nevada as well as a man from Maryland were charged with grand theft and forgery stemming from an alleged investment fraud scheme involving a South Dakota Native American tribe. They're accused of misleading investors regarding a tribal charter to run a credit union located on the Yankton Sioux Reservation. They reportedly received nearly $400,000 from investors.

The Nevada crime of forgery makes it unlawful to create or utilize falsified documentation with the intention to defraud. Examples of forgery are using counterfeit checks, fake court orders or a doctored contract. A typical defense to the Nevada crime of forgery is that the defendant didn't have an intent to defraud.

The punishment for committing the Nevada crime of forgery turns on the type of fraud. For the most part, forging documents is a category D felony carrying up to 4 years in prison and maybe a $5,000 fine. And knowingly having or receiving forged documents is a category C felony with 5 years in prison and maybe up to $10,000 in fines.

For more on this story go to: http://nativetimes.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=4891:2-face-charges-in-alleged-fraud-scheme-in-sd&catid=55&Itemid=31

Last week a twenty-year old man pleaded guilty to voluntary manslaughter, unlawful possession of a firearm and discharging a weapon in the shooting death of his sister's best friend nearly a year ago. The defendant claimed the incident was an accident. At his Nevada sentencing hearing he apologized, and the judge imposed a penalty of up to six years in prison.

A Nevada sentencing hearing occurs near the end of a criminal case after the defendant has been found guilty of a crime or pleaded guilty (or no contest) to a crime. The purpose of the hearing is to determine what punishments the defendant will be sentenced to. Standard penalties include prison, community service, fines, restitution, probation, or educational classes.

Sentencing hearings for misdemeanor crimes tend to be very short and occur right after the guilty plea or verdict. But a Nevada sentencing hearing for a felony usually occurs several weeks after the conviction and may last many hours. The defense typically calls family and friends to plead for leniency, while the state may call victims and victims' families to ask for a harsh sentence.

For more on this story, go to: http://www.lvrj.com/news/man-sentenced-for-shooting-sister-s-best-friend-115074564.html

Last week a father of a five-year-old who shot himself in the head pleaded guilty to child abuse and neglect with substantial bodily harm. The boy reportedly found the loaded gun in his dad's car. The father's Nevada sentencing hearing is scheduled for May 23.

A Nevada sentencing hearing is the last stage of a criminal case once the defendant was found guilty or pleaded guilty. During the hearing the prosecution typically argues for harsh penalties while the defense argues for the laxest. Depending on the case, sentencing hearings may last a few minutes to several hours.

A Nevada sentencing hearing looks similar to a trial in that both defense counsel and the D.A. may call witnesses and give closing arguments. Defendants also have the right to be present at the sentencing, to have an attorney, and to propose alternative sentencing. However, there is no right to confront or cross-examine witnesses.

For more on this story go to: http://www.lvrj.com/news/father-enters-guilty-plea-in-shooting-death-of-child-114609559.html

Last week a Clark County District Court judge agreed to grant a new trial to a Las Vegas process server on 17 perjury charges. However, the prosecutor said the state will bring new charges as well. Among these are allegations that he violated Nevada forgery law.

Nevada forgery law makes it a crime to make or use falsified documents with intent to defraud. Typical forgery cases involve fake checks and doctored contracts and wills. Common defenses include lack of intent to defraud and false accusations.

The penalties for violating Nevada forgery law vary depending on the type of forgery. In general, forging such documents as checks, contracts and court orders is a category D felony carrying one to four years in prison, restitution, and maybe up to $5,000 in fines. And knowingly possessing or receiving forged documents with intent to defraud is a category C felony carrying one to five years in prison, restitution, and maybe up to $10,000 in fines.

For more on this story go to: http://www.lvrj.com/news/former-process-server-carroll-wins-new-trial-but-could-face-new-charges-114398164.html?ref=164\