Las Vegas Criminal Defense Blog

A security guard who allegedly shot a gun into the air to quell a crowd at a party has been arrested for violating Nevada murder law. The shot reportedly killed a seventeen-year old. The security guard is fifty years old.

Nevada murder law comprises the most serious crimes in the state. The unlawful killing of another carries a possible life sentence with or without the possibility of parole. The most lenient sentence is fifty years in prison with the possibility of parole.

In some cases defendants convicted of murder in Nevada may be put to death. In order for this to happen a jury must find at least one aggravating factor, and it must outweigh any mitigating factors. An example of an aggravating factor is that the defendant tortured the victim, and a mitigating factor is that the defendant was abused as a child.

For more on this story go to: http://www.lvrj.com/news/security-guard-arrested-in-teen-s-death-132356898.html

To learn more about Nevada murder law, watch our informational video:

A thirty-six year old Las Vegas man faces criminal prosecution stemming from a residential rental scam where he allegedly leased out various properties that he was unauthorized to rent. The unsuspecting renters lived on the premises for months before the homeowners learned that their property was being illegally let. The man was charged with theft, obtaining money under false pretenses, and the Nevada crime of burglary.

The Nevada crime of burglary is the entry into any residence, business, vehicle, plane or structure with the intent to commit either larceny, assault, battery, any felony, or obtaining money or property by false pretense. Note that it's not necessary for the defendant to have broken into the structure. Common defenses to this crime include lack of intent to commit a crime while inside, false accusations, or insufficient evidence to prove guilt.

Penalties for committing the Nevada crime of burglary include one to ten years in prison plus a fine of $10,000. The sentence may be as much as doubled if the defendant possessed a deadly weapon at the time. Repeat offenders are not eligible for probation.

For more on this story go to: http://www.lvrj.com/news/las-vegas-man-arrested-in-rental-scam-132370758.html

To learn about how burglary becomes a felony in Nevada, watch our informational video:

Last week the suspect in a 2009 highway robbery and killing case was convicted at trial of conspiracy, armed robbery, and the Nevada crime of murder. The trial lasted a week, and the jury deliberated for days. The defendant's attorney says they'll appeal the verdict.

The Nevada crime of murder is divided into first degree and second degree. First degree murder comprises all intentional killing with malice aforethought, as well as killings done while committing another felony. Second degree murder is killing without malice aforethought, but where the person was acting so recklessly that he/she should have known that death could result.

Penalties for the Nevada crime of murder can include the death penalty if the jury finds at least one aggravating factor that outweighs any mitigating factors. Otherwise the defendant faces life in prison with or without the possibility of parole after twenty years. The most lenient sentence is fifty years with the possibility of parole after twenty years.

For more on this story go to: http://www.lvrj.com/news/man-found-guilty-in-highway-robbery-death-131898443.html

To learn about the Nevada crime of murder, watch our informational video:

Boxer Floyd Mayweather was scheduled to have a preliminary hearing tomorrow in his domestic violence case, but it's reportedly to be postponed for a third time. The case stems from a September 2010 incident involving the mother of his three children. He's also facing a battery charge for a November 2010 incident with a security guard.

The Nevada crime of battery domestic violence constitutes unlawful use of physical force between significant others, family members, or roommates. Common defenses to this crime include self-defense, accident, and false allegations. Authorities are frequently alerted to domestic abuse cases by 911 calls.

Penalties for the Nevada crime of battery domestic violence depend on the nature of the incident. If the defendant allegedly used a deadly weapon, strangulation, or caused substantial bodily harm, it will be prosecuted as a felony. Otherwise it's a misdemeanor that typically carries little or no jail.

For more on this story go to: http://www.lvrj.com/news/boxer-s-domestic-violence-case-delayed-again-132183593.html

To learn more about the Nevada crime of battery domestic violence, watch our informational video:

The Clark County D.A.'s office will pursue capital punishment for a nineteen year old who allegedly raped and murdered a fifteen year old over Labor Day weekend. The defendant reportedly confessed the crime to police. The defendant also faces charges for allegedly attacking another girl this past March.

Nevada murder law comprises the most serious crimes in the state. First degree murder is the deliberate killing of another or the killing of another while carrying out another felony such as burglary. Second degree murder is all other types of murder without malice aforethought, such as Russian Roulette.

The penalties for violating Nevada murder law may include the death penalty if the jury finds at least one aggravating factor (such as torture) and that the aggravating factors outweigh the mitigating factors (such as an abusive childhood). Other penalties include life in prison with or without the possibility of parole after 20 years. The laxest punishment is a fifty year prison sentence with the possibility of parole after 20 years.

For more on this story go to: http://www.lvrj.com/news/district-attorney-to-seek-death-penalty-in-arbor-view-student-s-slaying-131824623.html

To learn more about Nevada murder law, watch our informational video:

A man who used to be an aide to former United States Senator John Ensign has been charged with the Nevada crime of battery domestic violence and is facing trial on Dec. 15. He's accused of pushing his wife and grabbing her by the throat during an altercation. He was released from jail on $5,500 bail.

The Nevada crime of battery domestic violence occurs when family members, significant others or roommates commit battery on one another. Battery is the intentional use of unlawful physical force. Examples include hitting, biting, pushing, burning, throwing objects at, or even poisoning.

There are various defenses to charges for the Nevada crime of battery domestic violence including false allegations, self-defense and accident (lack of intent). The penalties for this crime depend on the severity of the circumstances. A first-offense with no injuries is usually just a misdemeanor and may carry no incarceration. But if the defendant allegedly used a weapon or the victim was seriously hurt, the D.A. may press for prison.

For more on this story go to: http://www.lvrj.com/news/ex-ensign-aide-faces-dec-15-trial-on-battery-charge-131380273.html

To learn more about battery domestic violence in Nevada watch our informational video

Last week six people were arrested by North Las Vegas police on suspicion of a burglary ring. The arrests follow a three-month investigation where the suspects are alleged to have stolen from unlocked cars. The items included GPS systems, cellphones and iPods.

The Nevada crime of burglary occurs when someone enters any building or vehicle with the intent to commit either larceny, assault or battery, a felony, or obtainment of money by false pretenses. Note that breaking and entering is not a required element of burglary. Typical defenses to this crime include false allegations, lack of intent to commit a crime, and incorrect identification of the alleged perpetrator.

The Nevada crime of burglary is a category B felony carrying one to ten years in prison and maybe a fine of $10,000. The prison range is extended from two to fifteen years if the defendant allegedly used a deadly weapon. Unlike California, Nevada law draws no distinction between residential burglary and commercial burglary.

For more on this story read: http://www.lvrj.com/news/six-arrested-in-north-las-vegas-burglary-ring-130891188.html

To learn about how to fight charges for the Nevada crime of burglary, watch our informational video

Last month a thirty-three year old Sparks man was arrested for the Nevada crime of sexual assault with a victim under 14. He's also charged with Lewdness with a child under 14. The arrest occurred after the alleged victim reported him to the authorities. He was booked in Reno with a bail set at $60,000.

The Nevada crime of sexual assault occurs when someone has sex with another against his/her will or when that person is too incapacitated to understand what is happening. Sexual assault comprises not just forced intercourse, but also any other forced sexual penetration. Common defenses to this crime include insufficient evidence, consent, or false allegations.

The Nevada crime of sexual assault is a category A felony. The penalty may include life in prison with or without the possibility of parole. The younger the victim, the harsher the penalty becomes.

To learn more about this story go to:
http://www.kolotv.com/home/headlines/Sparks_Man_Arrested_for_Sexual_Assault_of_a_Child_Under_14_130367663.html

To learn more about Nevada rape laws watch our informational video: