tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-53827922336032597942024-03-04T23:24:29.871-08:00Goodman Law Group, on BloggerBoard certified criminal defense lawyer in Las Vegas. If you're facing criminal charges such as DUI, domestic violence, drug charges, casino markers / debts, contact Goodman Law Group, at 702-383-5088 for a free and confidential consultation.Ross C. Goodman, Esq.http://www.blogger.com/profile/11622678842797515984noreply@blogger.comBlogger210125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5382792233603259794.post-72843662887995680622022-10-27T00:06:00.001-07:002022-10-27T00:06:02.878-07:00How Does the Nevada Tally Demerit Points?<p> <b id="docs-internal-guid-6deefb0c-7fff-aad7-458c-9e51dbc9d470" style="font-weight: normal;"></b></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 10pt; margin-top: 10pt;"><b id="docs-internal-guid-6deefb0c-7fff-aad7-458c-9e51dbc9d470" style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; white-space: pre;">The <a href="https://dmv.nv.gov/">Nevada Department of Motor Vehicles</a> implements a </span><a href="https://rossgoodmanlaw.com/criminal-defense-blog/understanding-the-nevada-dmv-demerit-point-system/" style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="-webkit-text-decoration-skip: none; background-color: transparent; color: #1155cc; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration-skip-ink: none; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; white-space: pre;">demerit system for drivers</span></a><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; white-space: pre;"> who commit different types of offenses within the state’s roads. These points are retained on the offending driver’s license and record for the next twelve months, after which it will reset to zero. A driver must receive at least 12 demerit points within this twelve-month period for their license to be suspended.</span></b></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 10pt; margin-top: 10pt;"><b id="docs-internal-guid-6deefb0c-7fff-aad7-458c-9e51dbc9d470" style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; white-space: pre;">The number of points awarded depend on the severity of the offense. Let’s look at the various grades of demerit points an offending driver may receive in Nevada.</span></b></p><h2 dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 10pt; margin-top: 10pt;"><b id="docs-internal-guid-6deefb0c-7fff-aad7-458c-9e51dbc9d470" style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 16pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; white-space: pre;">Light Offenses</span></b></h2><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 10pt; margin-top: 10pt;"><b id="docs-internal-guid-6deefb0c-7fff-aad7-458c-9e51dbc9d470" style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; white-space: pre;">Light traffic offenses receive the lowest amount of points, either one or two points depending on the type. However, while they are lower on the scale, they are still potentially dangerous traffic crimes for the offender, other drivers, and pedestrians. Otherwise, they only count as inconveniencing other drivers and disrupting regular traffic. These offenses are:</span></b></p><ul style="margin-bottom: 0; margin-top: 0; padding-inline-start: 48px;"><li aria-level="1" dir="ltr" style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; list-style-type: disc; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"><p dir="ltr" role="presentation" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 10pt;"><b id="docs-internal-guid-6deefb0c-7fff-aad7-458c-9e51dbc9d470" style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; white-space: pre;">Going beyond the speed limit, depending on how many miles above the limit was recorded. Going between 1 and 10 mph above counts for one point, while going between 11 and 20 mph counts towards two points.</span></b></p></li><li aria-level="1" dir="ltr" style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; list-style-type: disc; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"><p dir="ltr" role="presentation" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><b id="docs-internal-guid-6deefb0c-7fff-aad7-458c-9e51dbc9d470" style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; white-space: pre;">Driving too fast during certain road conditions or prima facie overspeeding counts for 2 demerit points.</span></b></p></li><li aria-level="1" dir="ltr" style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; list-style-type: disc; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"><p dir="ltr" role="presentation" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><b id="docs-internal-guid-6deefb0c-7fff-aad7-458c-9e51dbc9d470" style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; white-space: pre;">Failure to dim headlights merits two points.</span></b></p></li><li aria-level="1" dir="ltr" style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; list-style-type: disc; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"><p dir="ltr" role="presentation" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 10pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><b id="docs-internal-guid-6deefb0c-7fff-aad7-458c-9e51dbc9d470" style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; white-space: pre;">Impeding traffic or going below the minimum road speed counts for two points.</span></b></p></li></ul><h2 dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 10pt; margin-top: 10pt;"><b id="docs-internal-guid-6deefb0c-7fff-aad7-458c-9e51dbc9d470" style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 16pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; white-space: pre;">Middle Level Offenses</span></b></h2><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 10pt; margin-top: 10pt;"><b id="docs-internal-guid-6deefb0c-7fff-aad7-458c-9e51dbc9d470" style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; white-space: pre;">These traffic crimes are more serious than those in the previous section. Crimes committed in this section have a serious chance to cause injury or death if left unchecked. These include the following:</span></b></p><ul style="margin-bottom: 0; margin-top: 0; padding-inline-start: 48px;"><li aria-level="1" dir="ltr" style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; list-style-type: disc; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"><p dir="ltr" role="presentation" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 10pt;"><b id="docs-internal-guid-6deefb0c-7fff-aad7-458c-9e51dbc9d470" style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; white-space: pre;">Going between 21 and 40 mph above the speed limit. 21-30 mph violations are marked by 3 demerit points while 31-40 mph violations equate to 4 demerit points.</span></b></p></li><li aria-level="1" dir="ltr" style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; list-style-type: disc; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"><p dir="ltr" role="presentation" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><b id="docs-internal-guid-6deefb0c-7fff-aad7-458c-9e51dbc9d470" style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; white-space: pre;">Disobeying traffic signs and symbols equates to 4 points.</span></b></p></li><li aria-level="1" dir="ltr" style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; list-style-type: disc; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"><p dir="ltr" role="presentation" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><b id="docs-internal-guid-6deefb0c-7fff-aad7-458c-9e51dbc9d470" style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; white-space: pre;">Using a mobile phone by hand while driving counts for 4 points. The same number counts for subsequent citations.</span></b></p></li><li aria-level="1" dir="ltr" style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; list-style-type: disc; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"><p dir="ltr" role="presentation" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><b id="docs-internal-guid-6deefb0c-7fff-aad7-458c-9e51dbc9d470" style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; white-space: pre;">Passing ahead of a signaling bus equates to 4 points.</span></b></p></li><li aria-level="1" dir="ltr" style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; list-style-type: disc; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"><p dir="ltr" role="presentation" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><b id="docs-internal-guid-6deefb0c-7fff-aad7-458c-9e51dbc9d470" style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; white-space: pre;">Disregarding right-of-way rules in public roads counts for 4 points.</span></b></p></li><li aria-level="1" dir="ltr" style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; list-style-type: disc; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"><p dir="ltr" role="presentation" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 10pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><b id="docs-internal-guid-6deefb0c-7fff-aad7-458c-9e51dbc9d470" style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; white-space: pre;">Tailgating or driving dangerously close to another vehicle’s rear-end also counts for 4 points.</span></b></p></li></ul><h2 dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 10pt; margin-top: 10pt;"><b id="docs-internal-guid-6deefb0c-7fff-aad7-458c-9e51dbc9d470" style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 16pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; white-space: pre;">Severe Offenses</span></b></h2><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 10pt; margin-top: 10pt;"><b id="docs-internal-guid-6deefb0c-7fff-aad7-458c-9e51dbc9d470" style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; white-space: pre;">These are the highest level of traffic offenses that a driver can receive demerit points for. These violations can and will lead to severe property damage, injuries, or death if not dealt with promptly.</span></b></p><ul style="margin-bottom: 0; margin-top: 0; padding-inline-start: 48px;"><li aria-level="1" dir="ltr" style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; list-style-type: disc; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"><p dir="ltr" role="presentation" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 10pt;"><b id="docs-internal-guid-6deefb0c-7fff-aad7-458c-9e51dbc9d470" style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; white-space: pre;">Driving above the speed limit at 41mph and beyond counts for 5 demerit points.</span></b></p></li><li aria-level="1" dir="ltr" style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; list-style-type: disc; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"><p dir="ltr" role="presentation" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><b id="docs-internal-guid-6deefb0c-7fff-aad7-458c-9e51dbc9d470" style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; white-space: pre;">Not rendering assistance or exchanging contact information during a road accident counts for 6 points.</span></b></p></li><li aria-level="1" dir="ltr" style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; list-style-type: disc; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"><p dir="ltr" role="presentation" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><b id="docs-internal-guid-6deefb0c-7fff-aad7-458c-9e51dbc9d470" style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; white-space: pre;">Careless driving (ie, driving without fully focusing on the road, driving while being negligent of road signals and signs, driving while ignoring unsafe car conditions) equates to 6 points.</span></b></p></li><li aria-level="1" dir="ltr" style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; list-style-type: disc; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"><p dir="ltr" role="presentation" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 10pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><b id="docs-internal-guid-6deefb0c-7fff-aad7-458c-9e51dbc9d470" style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; white-space: pre;">Reckless driving (ie, intentionally dangerous driving) merits 8 points. It is currently the highest on the points scale and the one with the most severe penalties even for first-time citations.</span></b></p></li></ul><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 10pt; margin-top: 10pt;"><b id="docs-internal-guid-6deefb0c-7fff-aad7-458c-9e51dbc9d470" style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; white-space: pre;">Traffic demerit points can easily fill up, leading to a quick license suspension that lasts for at least a year. Stay informed about situations that can lead to you receiving these demerit points. Ask your lawyer about how to avoid these situations, or how to contest a possible license suspension.</span></b></p><br class="Apple-interchange-newline" /><p></p>Ross C. Goodman, Esq.http://www.blogger.com/profile/07055675400309864460noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5382792233603259794.post-89378999356798081002022-09-29T00:05:00.002-07:002022-09-29T00:05:34.474-07:00Factors that Determine a Property Owner's Liability<p> <b id="docs-internal-guid-d72c9748-7fff-8a14-95cf-949a240469f6" style="font-weight: normal;"></b></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 10pt; margin-top: 10pt;"><b id="docs-internal-guid-d72c9748-7fff-8a14-95cf-949a240469f6" style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; white-space: pre;">The </span><a href="https://scholars.law.unlv.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=2093&context=nvscs" style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="-webkit-text-decoration-skip: none; background-color: transparent; color: #1155cc; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration-skip-ink: none; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; white-space: pre;">Humphries v. New York-New York Hotel and Casino</span></a><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; white-space: pre;"> case is an interesting study into a </span><a href="https://rossgoodmanlaw.com/criminal-defense-blog/why-property-owners-are-liable-for-crimes-committed-on-their-properties-in-las-vegas/" style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="-webkit-text-decoration-skip: none; background-color: transparent; color: #1155cc; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration-skip-ink: none; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; white-space: pre;">property owner’s liability related to a crime</span></a><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; white-space: pre;">. In the case, the plaintiffs claimed that the hotel owners failed to ensure their safety, leading them to suffer injuries during an altercation. The case received a verdict in favor of the plaintiffs after a long process that included reviewing all the circumstances related to the case.</span></b></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 10pt; margin-top: 10pt;"><b id="docs-internal-guid-d72c9748-7fff-8a14-95cf-949a240469f6" style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; white-space: pre;">Owner’s liability is a major legal headache even when you are not directly connected to a crime. If you fear that you can easily be at risk of getting a civil charge related to this, you should know what to expect. Let’s look at factors that Las Vegas courts consider when determining your liability as a property owner.</span></b></p><h2 dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 10pt; margin-top: 10pt;"><b id="docs-internal-guid-d72c9748-7fff-8a14-95cf-949a240469f6" style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 16pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; white-space: pre;">Failure to Act</span></b></h2><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 10pt; margin-top: 10pt;"><b id="docs-internal-guid-d72c9748-7fff-8a14-95cf-949a240469f6" style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; white-space: pre;">Owners and staff of an establishment are duty-bound to ensure the safety and protection of their patrons and visitors. Failure to do so leaves them open to a liability charge. Delaying any action to assist or protect patrons also counts, and can count as a more serious offense in the long run. For example, on-site personnel stood around for a minute or so instead of quickly defusing a physical situation between patrons; this was cited in the Humphries case and was one of the factors that led to the higher court’s reversal of the original verdict.</span></b></p><h2 dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 10pt; margin-top: 10pt;"><b id="docs-internal-guid-d72c9748-7fff-8a14-95cf-949a240469f6" style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 16pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; white-space: pre;">Foreseeable Danger</span></b></h2><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 10pt; margin-top: 10pt;"><b id="docs-internal-guid-d72c9748-7fff-8a14-95cf-949a240469f6" style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; white-space: pre;">A court can find you liable if evidence shows that your property or establishment has many foreseeable dangers that you failed to account for. For example, unrepaired floorboards, loose wirings, and dangerously-placed furniture can all be grounds for determining foreseeable danger. The judge can also consider the lack of precautions to prevent harm to guests and patrons as a sign of foreseeable danger. For example, the lack of security detail or warning signs regarding hazards can count.</span></b></p><h2 dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 10pt; margin-top: 10pt;"><b id="docs-internal-guid-d72c9748-7fff-8a14-95cf-949a240469f6" style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 16pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; white-space: pre;">Prior Incidents</span></b></h2><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 10pt; margin-top: 10pt;"><b id="docs-internal-guid-d72c9748-7fff-8a14-95cf-949a240469f6" style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; white-space: pre;">The property owner is responsible for keeping up with anything happening on their premises. If a dangerous incident or crime has already happened in the vicinity and the owner failed to deal with it, they can be held liable for any injuries or deaths on their property. This includes failing to renovate risky sections or not highlighting accident-prone areas. It can be worse if they have received complaints from other patrons about such incidents repeatedly and yet they fail to deal with it in a timely manner.</span></b></p><b id="docs-internal-guid-d72c9748-7fff-8a14-95cf-949a240469f6" style="font-weight: normal;"><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 10pt; margin-top: 10pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; white-space: pre;">As a property owner, you must be aware of situations that can leave you open to being sued. Avoid being negligent about your property’s safety and security risks if you don’t want to deal with the legal headaches later on.</span></p></b><br class="Apple-interchange-newline" /><p></p>Ross C. Goodman, Esq.http://www.blogger.com/profile/07055675400309864460noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5382792233603259794.post-51087150020029325452022-06-09T00:31:00.002-07:002022-06-09T00:31:25.744-07:00What is Modified Comparative Negligence?<p> <b id="docs-internal-guid-5a35c56e-7fff-c00a-409e-a4955f063e2c" style="font-weight: normal;"></b></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 10pt; margin-top: 10pt;"><b id="docs-internal-guid-5a35c56e-7fff-c00a-409e-a4955f063e2c" style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; white-space: pre;">Road accidents are a fairly common sight in Nevada’s roads. It is a regular sight to read about crashes caused by drunk drivers or reckless pedestrians. </span><a href="https://rossgoodmanlaw.com/criminal-defense-blog/factors-that-put-a-lead-driver-at-fault-in-a-las-vegas-car-crash/" style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="-webkit-text-decoration-skip: none; background-color: transparent; color: #1155cc; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration-skip-ink: none; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; white-space: pre;">Collisions caused by lead drivers</span></a><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; white-space: pre;"> may not be as common, but they still pop up from time to time.</span></b></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 10pt; margin-top: 10pt;"><b id="docs-internal-guid-5a35c56e-7fff-c00a-409e-a4955f063e2c" style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; white-space: pre;">In most crashes, the fault lies in only one party or another, regardless of whether or not they started the crash directly. However, Nevada recognizes that there are circumstances where all parties involved led to the crash in one way or another. In such cases, the state awards damages to select parties under the Modified Comparative Negligence rule.</span></b></p><h2 dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 10pt; margin-top: 10pt;"><b id="docs-internal-guid-5a35c56e-7fff-c00a-409e-a4955f063e2c" style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 16pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; white-space: pre;">What is this Rule?</span></b></h2><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 10pt; margin-top: 10pt;"><b id="docs-internal-guid-5a35c56e-7fff-c00a-409e-a4955f063e2c" style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; white-space: pre;">Comparative negligence is a legal rule that reduces the amount of damages a plaintiff in a road accident can receive proportionate to how much they contribute to the accident in the first place. That is, if a person seeking damages caused part of the accident in the first place, they will receive only a fraction of the possible reparations. This stands in contrast to contributory negligence, a doctrine that bars reparations even if the plaintiff only if their part in the accident was minimal.</span></b></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 10pt; margin-top: 10pt;"><b id="docs-internal-guid-5a35c56e-7fff-c00a-409e-a4955f063e2c" style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; white-space: pre;">There are currently three types of comparative negligence in effect across the United States today. They are:</span></b></p><ul style="margin-bottom: 0; margin-top: 0; padding-inline-start: 48px;"><li aria-level="1" dir="ltr" style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; list-style-type: disc; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"><p dir="ltr" role="presentation" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 10pt; margin-top: 10pt;"><b id="docs-internal-guid-5a35c56e-7fff-c00a-409e-a4955f063e2c" style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; white-space: pre;">Pure comparative negligence, which subtracts the reparations from the amount of damages inflicted by the plaintiff (i.e., only getting 20% reparations if the accident was 80% their fault)</span></b></p></li><li aria-level="1" dir="ltr" style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; list-style-type: disc; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"><p dir="ltr" role="presentation" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 10pt; margin-top: 10pt;"><b id="docs-internal-guid-5a35c56e-7fff-c00a-409e-a4955f063e2c" style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; white-space: pre;">‘Threshold’ comparative negligence, where the plaintiff can only receive reparations if their contribution to the collision is not greater to the other parties. This is Nevada’s current rule, with a damage/negligence threshold of no more than 50% for the plaintiff.</span></b></p></li><li aria-level="1" dir="ltr" style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; list-style-type: disc; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"><p dir="ltr" role="presentation" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 10pt; margin-top: 10pt;"><b id="docs-internal-guid-5a35c56e-7fff-c00a-409e-a4955f063e2c" style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; white-space: pre;">‘Parity’ comparative negligence, where the plaintiff’s contribution should not be the same value as the combination of all the other involved parties. </span></b></p></li></ul><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 10pt; margin-top: 10pt;"><b id="docs-internal-guid-5a35c56e-7fff-c00a-409e-a4955f063e2c" style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; white-space: pre;">Note that the terms used for the two types of comparative negligence are conjectural, based on their nature.</span></b></p><h2 dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 10pt; margin-top: 10pt;"><b id="docs-internal-guid-5a35c56e-7fff-c00a-409e-a4955f063e2c" style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 16pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; white-space: pre;">Threshold?</span></b></h2><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 10pt; margin-top: 10pt;"><b id="docs-internal-guid-5a35c56e-7fff-c00a-409e-a4955f063e2c" style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; white-space: pre;">As stated earlier, Nevada follows a modified comparative negligence doctrine based on a 50% threshold. If the plaintiff breaches that threshold, they are barred from recovering any reparations from the accident. Also remember that the court has the final say in the amount recoverable for the plaintiff, regardless of how large or small the percentage of negligence is.</span></b></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 10pt; margin-top: 10pt;"><b id="docs-internal-guid-5a35c56e-7fff-c00a-409e-a4955f063e2c" style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; white-space: pre;">In any case, this can be a better situation than being in a handful of states that still implement the contributory negligence doctrine. These states include:</span></b></p><ul style="margin-bottom: 0; margin-top: 0; padding-inline-start: 48px;"><li aria-level="1" dir="ltr" style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; list-style-type: disc; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"><p dir="ltr" role="presentation" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 10pt;"><b id="docs-internal-guid-5a35c56e-7fff-c00a-409e-a4955f063e2c" style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; white-space: pre;">Alabama</span></b></p></li><li aria-level="1" dir="ltr" style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; list-style-type: disc; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"><p dir="ltr" role="presentation" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><b id="docs-internal-guid-5a35c56e-7fff-c00a-409e-a4955f063e2c" style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; white-space: pre;">Maryland</span></b></p></li><li aria-level="1" dir="ltr" style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; list-style-type: disc; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"><p dir="ltr" role="presentation" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><b id="docs-internal-guid-5a35c56e-7fff-c00a-409e-a4955f063e2c" style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; white-space: pre;">North Carolina</span></b></p></li><li aria-level="1" dir="ltr" style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; list-style-type: disc; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"><p dir="ltr" role="presentation" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 10pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><b id="docs-internal-guid-5a35c56e-7fff-c00a-409e-a4955f063e2c" style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; white-space: pre;">District of Columbia</span></b></p></li></ul><h2 dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 10pt; margin-top: 10pt;"><b id="docs-internal-guid-5a35c56e-7fff-c00a-409e-a4955f063e2c" style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 16pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; white-space: pre;">Special Circumstances</span></b></h2><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 10pt; margin-top: 10pt;"><b id="docs-internal-guid-5a35c56e-7fff-c00a-409e-a4955f063e2c" style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; white-space: pre;">There are special circumstances where the responsibility of the crime is placed squarely in the defendant instead of being shared between the parties involved. Such cases are the prerogative of the courts and may or may not be based on the circumstances of the case. Two examples include:</span></b></p><ul style="margin-bottom: 0; margin-top: 0; padding-inline-start: 48px;"><li aria-level="1" dir="ltr" style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; list-style-type: disc; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"><p dir="ltr" role="presentation" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 10pt;"><b id="docs-internal-guid-5a35c56e-7fff-c00a-409e-a4955f063e2c" style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; white-space: pre;">Failure to follow protocol or policy (i.e., failing to provide safety equipment or guidelines that would have saved an otherwise careless plaintiff)</span></b></p></li><li aria-level="1" dir="ltr" style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; list-style-type: disc; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"><p dir="ltr" role="presentation" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 10pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><b id="docs-internal-guid-5a35c56e-7fff-c00a-409e-a4955f063e2c" style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; white-space: pre;">Failure to follow societal or judicial norms (like not holding a minor responsible for consenting to sexual activities with an adult, because it was society’s duty to protect the minor in the first place)</span></b></p></li></ul><b id="docs-internal-guid-5a35c56e-7fff-c00a-409e-a4955f063e2c" style="font-weight: normal;"><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 10pt; margin-top: 10pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; white-space: pre;">Get in touch with a defense attorney to better understand how Nevada’s modified comparative negligence doctrine works.</span></p></b><br class="Apple-interchange-newline" /><p></p>Ross C. Goodman, Esq.http://www.blogger.com/profile/07055675400309864460noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5382792233603259794.post-8676792299280434292022-06-02T00:40:00.000-07:002022-06-02T00:40:16.577-07:00Four Factors that Constitute Child Abuse<p> <b id="docs-internal-guid-665eb4cd-7fff-31ad-183d-974e8e0a4cdf" style="font-weight: normal;"></b></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 10pt; margin-top: 10pt;"><b id="docs-internal-guid-665eb4cd-7fff-31ad-183d-974e8e0a4cdf" style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; white-space: pre;">Parents have the right and obligation to instill discipline in their children, especially when they are acting out of line. In many instances, this may involve a heart-to-heart talk detailing where the children are wrong and teaching them how to act right. For more old-fashioned families, however, parents may result to corporal punishment to get their message across.</span></b></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 10pt; margin-top: 10pt;"><b id="docs-internal-guid-665eb4cd-7fff-31ad-183d-974e8e0a4cdf" style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; white-space: pre;">Of course, an excess of anything can turn bad really quickly. In this case, going too far with the punishments may lead to the act qualifying as </span><a href="https://rossgoodmanlaw.com/criminal-defense-blog/what-turns-corporal-punishment-into-child-abuse-in-las-vegas/" style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="-webkit-text-decoration-skip: none; background-color: transparent; color: #1155cc; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration-skip-ink: none; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; white-space: pre;">child abuse</span></a><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; white-space: pre;"> and can potentially leave the parent open to a criminal charge. For that to happen, however, at least four factors must be put into consideration.</span></b></p><h2 dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 10pt; margin-top: 10pt;"><b id="docs-internal-guid-665eb4cd-7fff-31ad-183d-974e8e0a4cdf" style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 16pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; white-space: pre;">Significant Harm</span></b></h2><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 10pt; margin-top: 10pt;"><b id="docs-internal-guid-665eb4cd-7fff-31ad-183d-974e8e0a4cdf" style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; white-space: pre;">Corporal punishment often leads to some sort of injury, like light bruising after a spanking or pinching. However, if the disciplining act leads to even more serious wounds, it can qualify as an act of abuse. For example, lightly spanking a child for misbehavior may not inflict lasting effects; however, repeated hitting, or using other implements like a leather belt, can cause serious long-term injury. Certain physical methods automatically count as abuse, such as punching or kicking a child.</span></b></p><h2 dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 10pt; margin-top: 10pt;"><b id="docs-internal-guid-665eb4cd-7fff-31ad-183d-974e8e0a4cdf" style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 16pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; white-space: pre;">Stress</span></b></h2><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 10pt; margin-top: 10pt;"><b id="docs-internal-guid-665eb4cd-7fff-31ad-183d-974e8e0a4cdf" style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; white-space: pre;">Excessively forceful child discipline not only affects them physically; it also hurts them mentally and emotionally. Prosecutors would definitely consider a case to be abuse-related if the child shows signs of post-traumatic stress, is increasingly withdrawn or antisocial, is increasingly aggressive, or is reported to be suffering repeated episodes of night terrors and bed-wetting after the alleged abuse. If the prosecution can find a direct link between the alleged abuse and the child’s current mental and emotional state, it can be more difficult for the parent to defend their case in court.</span></b></p><h2 dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 10pt; margin-top: 10pt;"><b id="docs-internal-guid-665eb4cd-7fff-31ad-183d-974e8e0a4cdf" style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 16pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; white-space: pre;">The Child’s Age</span></b></h2><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 10pt; margin-top: 10pt;"><b id="docs-internal-guid-665eb4cd-7fff-31ad-183d-974e8e0a4cdf" style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; white-space: pre;">A victim’s age can be a significant factor in determining the severity of a person’s crime. In the case of child abuse, acting heavy-handed against someone who is basically a toddler constitutes a serious charge. In general, the younger the child, the heavier the alleged crime; this could be considered worse if the abuse has been happening for years.</span></b></p><h2 dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 10pt; margin-top: 10pt;"><b id="docs-internal-guid-665eb4cd-7fff-31ad-183d-974e8e0a4cdf" style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 16pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; white-space: pre;">Possible Sexual Assault</span></b></h2><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 10pt; margin-top: 10pt;"><b id="docs-internal-guid-665eb4cd-7fff-31ad-183d-974e8e0a4cdf" style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; white-space: pre;">Corporal punishment involves physical contact. However, some disciplining acts may leave the child vulnerable to sexual exploitation. For example, instances of spanking might have episodes of inappropriate touching. If the prosecution finds evidence of such incidents, they can easily escalate the charge by adding charges for sex crimes.</span></b></p><b id="docs-internal-guid-665eb4cd-7fff-31ad-183d-974e8e0a4cdf" style="font-weight: normal;"><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 10pt; margin-top: 10pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; white-space: pre;">Any one of these factors can be enough to put you up against a serious domestic violence or child abuse charge in Las Vegas. Thankfully, you can defend yourself with veteran help. Get in touch with reliable defense attorneys to help you deal with your case.</span></p></b><br class="Apple-interchange-newline" /><p></p>Ross C. Goodman, Esq.http://www.blogger.com/profile/07055675400309864460noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5382792233603259794.post-37109063014637751142022-05-19T00:27:00.002-07:002022-05-19T00:27:28.825-07:00Why An Appeal to Commute a Sentence was Denied<p> <b id="docs-internal-guid-2450e8aa-7fff-1c21-7d19-5149802cb994" style="font-weight: normal;"></b></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 10pt; margin-top: 10pt;"><b id="docs-internal-guid-2450e8aa-7fff-1c21-7d19-5149802cb994" style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; white-space: pre;">Getting convicted for a serious charge in Las Vegas means that you can expect some pretty long times in prison. Fortunately, there are plenty of post-conviction options that a defendant can choose from to help them lighten their sentences. For one thing, those who have been incarcerated for long enough can request for their </span><a href="https://rossgoodmanlaw.com/criminal-defense-blog/how-the-commutation-process-works-in-las-vegas/" style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="-webkit-text-decoration-skip: none; background-color: transparent; color: #1155cc; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration-skip-ink: none; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; white-space: pre;">sentences to be commuted</span></a><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; white-space: pre;">.</span></b></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 10pt; margin-top: 10pt;"><b id="docs-internal-guid-2450e8aa-7fff-1c21-7d19-5149802cb994" style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; white-space: pre;">Like many other instances, however, an appeal to commute a sentence can be denied by the Pardons Board under certain circumstances. Let’s look at some reasons why an appeal to commute a sentence was denied.</span></b></p><h2 dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 10pt; margin-top: 10pt;"><b id="docs-internal-guid-2450e8aa-7fff-1c21-7d19-5149802cb994" style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 16pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; white-space: pre;">Request Lacked Merit</span></b></h2><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 10pt; margin-top: 10pt;"><b id="docs-internal-guid-2450e8aa-7fff-1c21-7d19-5149802cb994" style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; white-space: pre;">The standard reason for denying an appeal to commute a sentence is because of a lack of merit. That is, the prisoner’s reasons for the commutation lack any weight and are thus no grounds for the appeal to stand on. For example, a prisoner may claim good conduct for the period that they were incarcerated, but they lack documents to prove such conduct. Conversely, other parties may disprove this claim and submit their counter-arguments during the deliberation period (for example, prison guards may declare that the appealing prisoner was actually more violent or manipulative while incarcerated).</span></b></p><h2 dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 10pt; margin-top: 10pt;"><b id="docs-internal-guid-2450e8aa-7fff-1c21-7d19-5149802cb994" style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 16pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; white-space: pre;">Up for Parole</span></b></h2><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 10pt; margin-top: 10pt;"><b id="docs-internal-guid-2450e8aa-7fff-1c21-7d19-5149802cb994" style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; white-space: pre;">Prisoners who are up for parole less than a year before the next Pardons Board meeting are blocked from making appeals. Any attempt to do so will be automatically denied, citing this reason. However, the prisoner viable for parole may still get a chance to request a commutation if they are involved in extraordinary circumstances related to the case.</span></b></p><h2 dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 10pt; margin-top: 10pt;"><b id="docs-internal-guid-2450e8aa-7fff-1c21-7d19-5149802cb994" style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 16pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; white-space: pre;">Modified Sentences</span></b></h2><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 10pt; margin-top: 10pt;"><b id="docs-internal-guid-2450e8aa-7fff-1c21-7d19-5149802cb994" style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; white-space: pre;">A petition for a modification of a sentence is a petition that changes the contents of a sentencing document. Modifying sentences may lead to reduction or addition of provisions to the original sentence, depending on circumstances. In connection to commuted sentences, a request for commutation may be denied if a petition to modify the original sentence is in effect. The petition can be filed either by the judge overseeing the case, or the district attorney.</span></b></p><h2 dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 10pt; margin-top: 10pt;"><b id="docs-internal-guid-2450e8aa-7fff-1c21-7d19-5149802cb994" style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 16pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; white-space: pre;">Public Opposition</span></b></h2><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 10pt; margin-top: 10pt;"><b id="docs-internal-guid-2450e8aa-7fff-1c21-7d19-5149802cb994" style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; white-space: pre;">Nevada’s populace has a say with regards to sentence commutations, even for relatively unknown prisoners. They are free to submit their support or opposition to a proposed commutation by mailing their opinion to the Nevada Pardons Board. Strong public backlash for certain cases may affect the chances of a prisoner’s commutation appeal in the long run. Note that this is admittedly a minor reason compared to the others; the governor and the Board can choose to ignore public input and go ahead with the reduced sentence.</span></b></p><b id="docs-internal-guid-2450e8aa-7fff-1c21-7d19-5149802cb994" style="font-weight: normal;"><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 10pt; margin-top: 10pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; white-space: pre;">There are many other reasons why an appeal to shorten a prisoner’s sentence can be denied. That doesn’t mean it’s the end for them, however. Ask a defense attorney about other post-conviction options that are readily available.</span></p></b><br class="Apple-interchange-newline" /><p></p>Ross C. Goodman, Esq.http://www.blogger.com/profile/07055675400309864460noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5382792233603259794.post-43296065662453728762022-05-11T22:58:00.003-07:002022-05-11T22:58:47.528-07:00Four Instances that can turn a First-Time Domestic Battery Charge into a Felony<p> <b id="docs-internal-guid-c473cacb-7fff-0e6c-97a7-4b296a24158a" style="font-weight: normal;"></b></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 10pt; margin-top: 10pt;"><b id="docs-internal-guid-c473cacb-7fff-0e6c-97a7-4b296a24158a" style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; white-space: pre;">As far as convictions go, a </span><a href="https://rossgoodmanlaw.com/criminal-defense-blog/penalties-for-a-first-conviction-of-domestic-battery-in-las-vegas/" style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="-webkit-text-decoration-skip: none; background-color: transparent; color: #1155cc; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration-skip-ink: none; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; white-space: pre;">first-time domestic battery charge</span></a><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; white-space: pre;"> isn’t too bad. On top of just a short jail stay, the fines are relatively cheap, and the other obligations aren’t too heavy. All in all, a defendant can go through their sentence without much trouble.</span></b></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 10pt; margin-top: 10pt;"><b id="docs-internal-guid-c473cacb-7fff-0e6c-97a7-4b296a24158a" style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; white-space: pre;">Remember that things can easily come to a head in such cases, however. A little bit of evidence or a surprise testimony can easily transform the charge into a more serious one, making it more difficult for the defendant to get a dismissal or not-guilty verdict. Let’s look at 4 cases that can turn a first domestic battery charge into a felony.</span></b></p><h2 dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 10pt; margin-top: 10pt;"><b id="docs-internal-guid-c473cacb-7fff-0e6c-97a7-4b296a24158a" style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 16pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; white-space: pre;">Strangulation</span></b></h2><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 10pt; margin-top: 10pt;"><b id="docs-internal-guid-c473cacb-7fff-0e6c-97a7-4b296a24158a" style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; white-space: pre;">Domestic battery cases often involve the use of bare hands and/or feet to inflict physical pain on a victim. The damage is fairly visible at first glance and can lead to a conviction if a sure link to the defendant can be determined. However, if neck damage due to strangulation is confirmed, the battery case is automatically escalated to a felony charge. Strangulation may involve bare hands or any device that can be wrapped around the neck, like rope.</span></b></p><h2 dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 10pt; margin-top: 10pt;"><b id="docs-internal-guid-c473cacb-7fff-0e6c-97a7-4b296a24158a" style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 16pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; white-space: pre;">Use of a Deadly Weapon</span></b></h2><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 10pt; margin-top: 10pt;"><b id="docs-internal-guid-c473cacb-7fff-0e6c-97a7-4b296a24158a" style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; white-space: pre;">A battery remains a battery if the offender only used a part of their body to inflict injuries on the victim. However, if they use an item that puts the victim at risk of death, the first offense automatically escalates to a felony. Examples of deadly weapons include knives, heavy blunt objects, or guns.</span></b></p><h2 dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 10pt; margin-top: 10pt;"><b id="docs-internal-guid-c473cacb-7fff-0e6c-97a7-4b296a24158a" style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 16pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; white-space: pre;">Substantial Bodily Harm</span></b></h2><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 10pt; margin-top: 10pt;"><b id="docs-internal-guid-c473cacb-7fff-0e6c-97a7-4b296a24158a" style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; white-space: pre;">Battery cases are still considered misdemeanors if the victim sustained relatively light injuries. That is, the injuries did not interfere with their everyday functions. However, if the victim actually suffered enough that their body was temporarily or permanently prevented from functioning normally, that constitutes a count of substantial bodily harm. Such situations automatically merit a felony charge for the defendant.</span></b></p><h2 dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 10pt; margin-top: 10pt;"><b id="docs-internal-guid-c473cacb-7fff-0e6c-97a7-4b296a24158a" style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 16pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; white-space: pre;">Previous Domestic Violence Convictions</span></b></h2><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 10pt; margin-top: 10pt;"><b id="docs-internal-guid-c473cacb-7fff-0e6c-97a7-4b296a24158a" style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; white-space: pre;">Some felony charges come into effect automatically when the defendant is a repeat offender. In the case of a domestic battery charge, the defendant must have had at least two prior convictions for related charges in the past. This only comes into effect if the previous verdicts were handed down within the past seven years.</span></b></p><b id="docs-internal-guid-c473cacb-7fff-0e6c-97a7-4b296a24158a" style="font-weight: normal;"><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 10pt; margin-top: 10pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; white-space: pre;">Felony domestic battery charges can be difficult to defend against, but they can be overcome. Get in touch with a veteran domestic violence lawyer in Las Vegas to represent you.</span></p></b><br class="Apple-interchange-newline" /><p></p>Ross C. Goodman, Esq.http://www.blogger.com/profile/07055675400309864460noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5382792233603259794.post-56238147044415800742022-04-07T00:44:00.003-07:002022-04-07T00:44:34.852-07:00What Happens During a Car Inventory Search?<p> <b id="docs-internal-guid-f4474b38-7fff-c27d-bbbf-738020a71bf5" style="font-weight: normal;"></b></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 10pt; margin-top: 10pt;"><b id="docs-internal-guid-f4474b38-7fff-c27d-bbbf-738020a71bf5" style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; white-space: pre;">So the Las Vegas police impounded your car for one legal reason or another. Reasons may vary from something as simple as illegal parking to something severe like reckless driving. Your vehicle will be towed to the nearest impound lot and will remain there until the case is resolved.</span></b></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 10pt; margin-top: 10pt;"><b id="docs-internal-guid-f4474b38-7fff-c27d-bbbf-738020a71bf5" style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; white-space: pre;">The thing is, your vehicle doesn’t just stay put in the impound lot. As standard procedure, police officers will </span><a href="https://rossgoodmanlaw.com/criminal-defense-blog/what-instances-allow-las-vegas-police-to-search-your-vehicle/" style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="-webkit-text-decoration-skip: none; background-color: transparent; color: #1155cc; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration-skip-ink: none; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; white-space: pre;">conduct a vehicle search</span></a><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; white-space: pre;"> in your car to see what items are left inside. This procedure is known as a car inventory search, and is conducted for every vehicle that gets impounded.</span></b></p><h2 dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 10pt; margin-top: 10pt;"><b id="docs-internal-guid-f4474b38-7fff-c27d-bbbf-738020a71bf5" style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 16pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; white-space: pre;">What is a Car Inventory Search?</span></b></h2><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 10pt; margin-top: 10pt;"><b id="docs-internal-guid-f4474b38-7fff-c27d-bbbf-738020a71bf5" style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; white-space: pre;">A car inventory search is a process where law enforcers search through your car to identify all items left within it at the time of impounding. The police will thoroughly sift through your vehicle, cataloging every item they see. This will include items stored in the glove compartment, seat pockets, trunk, and any other auxiliary storage space.</span></b></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 10pt; margin-top: 10pt;"><b id="docs-internal-guid-f4474b38-7fff-c27d-bbbf-738020a71bf5" style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; white-space: pre;">Law enforcement conducts inventory searches for at least two reasons:</span></b></p><ul style="margin-bottom: 0; margin-top: 0; padding-inline-start: 48px;"><li aria-level="1" dir="ltr" style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; list-style-type: disc; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"><p dir="ltr" role="presentation" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 10pt; margin-top: 10pt;"><b id="docs-internal-guid-f4474b38-7fff-c27d-bbbf-738020a71bf5" style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; white-space: pre;">The police are entrusted with protecting the vehicle owner’s property while it is in their custody</span></b></p></li><li aria-level="1" dir="ltr" style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; list-style-type: disc; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"><p dir="ltr" role="presentation" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 10pt; margin-top: 10pt;"><b id="docs-internal-guid-f4474b38-7fff-c27d-bbbf-738020a71bf5" style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; white-space: pre;">The police can use the comprehensive inventory against possible claims of lost or stolen property when the owner recovers their car</span></b></p></li><li aria-level="1" dir="ltr" style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; list-style-type: disc; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"><p dir="ltr" role="presentation" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 10pt; margin-top: 10pt;"><b id="docs-internal-guid-f4474b38-7fff-c27d-bbbf-738020a71bf5" style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; white-space: pre;">The police is looking for possible hidden dangers within the vehicle, such as hidden explosives or unregistered firearms</span></b></p></li></ul><h2 dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 10pt; margin-top: 10pt;"><b id="docs-internal-guid-f4474b38-7fff-c27d-bbbf-738020a71bf5" style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 16pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; white-space: pre;">Is Consent Needed for It?</span></b></h2><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 10pt; margin-top: 10pt;"><b id="docs-internal-guid-f4474b38-7fff-c27d-bbbf-738020a71bf5" style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; white-space: pre;">Police officers need neither the owner’s consent nor a search warrant granted by the presiding judge to conduct an inventory search. They also do not need probable cause to search the vehicle. As an inventory search is part of standard police procedure, it does not need any prerequisite documents.</span></b></p><h2 dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 10pt; margin-top: 10pt;"><b id="docs-internal-guid-f4474b38-7fff-c27d-bbbf-738020a71bf5" style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 16pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; white-space: pre;">Can the Driver Do Anything About It?</span></b></h2><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 10pt; margin-top: 10pt;"><b id="docs-internal-guid-f4474b38-7fff-c27d-bbbf-738020a71bf5" style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; white-space: pre;">As stated in the previous section, the driver does not have a say about the police conducting an inventory search. The driver can only hope that the inventory search can protect whatever items they have left behind in the car before it was impounded.</span></b></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 10pt; margin-top: 10pt;"><b id="docs-internal-guid-f4474b38-7fff-c27d-bbbf-738020a71bf5" style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; white-space: pre;">However, the driver can complain if the items cataloged somehow end up being used as evidenced against them in a related charge. The driver’s defense attorney can allege that the inventory search was conducted without following legal procedures. They can also claim that the inventory search was actually intended to search for incriminating evidence in the first place.</span></b></p><b id="docs-internal-guid-f4474b38-7fff-c27d-bbbf-738020a71bf5" style="font-weight: normal;"><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 10pt; margin-top: 10pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; white-space: pre;">Car inventory searches are standard protocol for impounded vehicles, but some officials may take it a step too far without the owner’s consent. Ask your lawyer about how to protect you from the adverse effects of a car inventory search.</span></p></b><br class="Apple-interchange-newline" /><p></p>Ross C. Goodman, Esq.http://www.blogger.com/profile/07055675400309864460noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5382792233603259794.post-82458133985880972582022-04-01T00:48:00.001-07:002022-04-01T00:48:15.000-07:00Who Writes Your Presentence Investigation Report in Las Vegas?<p> <b id="docs-internal-guid-15c0ea3e-7fff-5076-5dd0-adcc7c9b9785" style="font-weight: normal;"></b></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 10pt; margin-top: 10pt;"><b id="docs-internal-guid-15c0ea3e-7fff-5076-5dd0-adcc7c9b9785" style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; white-space: pre;">The pre-sentencing process is an important interlude between the conviction and the actual application of penalties for a defendant. It is during this period that the </span><a href="https://rossgoodmanlaw.com/criminal-defense-blog/what-is-a-presentence-investigation-report-for-your-nevada-case/" style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="-webkit-text-decoration-skip: none; background-color: transparent; color: #1155cc; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration-skip-ink: none; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; white-space: pre;">presentence investigation report</span></a><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; white-space: pre;"> is conducted. The presentence investigation determines what level of penalties are appropriate for a defendant’s crime, based on important information gathered from the defendant and/or their associates.</span></b></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 10pt; margin-top: 10pt;"><b id="docs-internal-guid-15c0ea3e-7fff-5076-5dd0-adcc7c9b9785" style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; white-space: pre;">Such an important document can only be handled by important individuals within the justice system. As a matter of course, the presentence process is handled by officials from Nevada Parole and Probation, a division of the state’s Department of Public Safety. Let’s look at the people who are involved in writing a presentence investigation report in Las Vegas.</span></b></p><h2 dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 10pt; margin-top: 10pt;"><b id="docs-internal-guid-15c0ea3e-7fff-5076-5dd0-adcc7c9b9785" style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 16pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; white-space: pre;">Probation Officers</span></b></h2><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 10pt; margin-top: 10pt;"><b id="docs-internal-guid-15c0ea3e-7fff-5076-5dd0-adcc7c9b9785" style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; white-space: pre;">Probation officers are expected to lead in compiling a PSI report as they will interact with the convicted individual on a regular basis. They are thoroughly trained to gather the information efficiently and comprehensively so that nothing is overlooked. Usually, the officer handling the report also becomes a defendant’s assigned probation officer after the sentence is carried out.</span></b></p><h2 dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 10pt; margin-top: 10pt;"><b id="docs-internal-guid-15c0ea3e-7fff-5076-5dd0-adcc7c9b9785" style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 16pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; white-space: pre;">Mental Health Specialists</span></b></h2><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 10pt; margin-top: 10pt;"><b id="docs-internal-guid-15c0ea3e-7fff-5076-5dd0-adcc7c9b9785" style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; white-space: pre;">Maintaining a defendant’s mental well-being is still important even when they are serving time. As such, mental health professionals are assigned to interview the defendant and determine if they are mentally prepared (or mentally sane) enough for the possible penalties that befit the crime they were charged with. They can also add suggestions in the report about how to handle a defendant’s mental and emotional state throughout the post-sentencing. Psychiatrists may furnish a medical regimen to ensure that the defendant remains mentally fit, while psychologists can suggest psychotherapy sessions with the defendant.</span></b></p><h2 dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 6pt; margin-top: 18pt;"><b id="docs-internal-guid-15c0ea3e-7fff-5076-5dd0-adcc7c9b9785" style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 16pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; white-space: pre;">Medical Professionals</span></b></h2><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 10pt; margin-top: 10pt;"><b id="docs-internal-guid-15c0ea3e-7fff-5076-5dd0-adcc7c9b9785" style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; white-space: pre;"> Medical professionals investigate a defendant’s medical status and background to determine whether or not they are physically prepared to handle the penalties that they’ll be sentenced with. They may conduct health tests that cover different aspects of the body, like weight, blood pressure, medical history and diet, among others. They can also determine if the defendant will need unique add-ons like changed eating habits, unique exercise routines, or a possible transfer to a more accommodating detention facility if the current one disagrees with their physical well-being.</span></b></p><h2 dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 10pt; margin-top: 10pt;"><b id="docs-internal-guid-15c0ea3e-7fff-5076-5dd0-adcc7c9b9785" style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 16pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; white-space: pre;">Family and Marriage Therapists</span></b></h2><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 10pt; margin-top: 10pt;"><b id="docs-internal-guid-15c0ea3e-7fff-5076-5dd0-adcc7c9b9785" style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; white-space: pre;">These individuals can conduct a more intensive investigation into the defendant’s personal relationships. They may look into family history, possible divorces and separations, and child support dues that the defendant may have. They may also interview the victims and determine the emotional effect that the crime has had on their family.</span></b></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 10pt; margin-top: 10pt;"><b id="docs-internal-guid-15c0ea3e-7fff-5076-5dd0-adcc7c9b9785" style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; white-space: pre;">These are just four types of professionals that are directly involved with writing a presentence report. Others may be called in depending on the circumstances of your charge and conviction. Consult your defense attorney for more information.</span></b></p><br class="Apple-interchange-newline" /><p></p>Ross C. Goodman, Esq.http://www.blogger.com/profile/07055675400309864460noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5382792233603259794.post-25457419045969986332022-03-24T01:06:00.002-07:002022-03-24T01:06:19.951-07:00What's the Difference Between Aggravating and Mitigating Factors in a Case?<p> <b id="docs-internal-guid-e93ff530-7fff-234c-5113-271dd51ce1c1" style="font-weight: normal;"></b></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 10pt; margin-top: 10pt;"><b id="docs-internal-guid-e93ff530-7fff-234c-5113-271dd51ce1c1" style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; white-space: pre;">If you’ve read transcripts of court proceedings or watched courtroom dramas, you might have heard the terms ‘aggravating factor’ and ‘mitigating factor’. They appear quite often in more serious criminal hearings, like sexual assault and </span><a href="https://rossgoodmanlaw.com/criminal-defense-blog/what-are-aggravating-factors-to-a-nevada-murder-case/" style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="-webkit-text-decoration-skip: none; background-color: transparent; color: #1155cc; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration-skip-ink: none; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; white-space: pre;">murder cases</span></a><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; white-space: pre;">.</span></b></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 10pt; margin-top: 10pt;"><b id="docs-internal-guid-e93ff530-7fff-234c-5113-271dd51ce1c1" style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; white-space: pre;">These terms aren’t just legalese written in records for their own sake. They can affect the severity of a crime and a person’s guilt, and can lead to harsher or lighter punishments, depending on which is more plausible. Let’s look at the differences between Aggravating and Mitigating Factors in a case.</span></b></p><h2 dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 10pt; margin-top: 10pt;"><b id="docs-internal-guid-e93ff530-7fff-234c-5113-271dd51ce1c1" style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 16pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; white-space: pre;">What’s Aggravating?</span></b></h2><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 10pt; margin-top: 10pt;"><b id="docs-internal-guid-e93ff530-7fff-234c-5113-271dd51ce1c1" style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; white-space: pre;">Aggravating factors increase the severity of a crime and a defendant’s guilt. An increasing number of these kinds of factors can elevate a charge from a lower classification to a higher one up the chain automatically. A confirmed link to the defendant could make it more difficult to have the charges dismissed.</span></b></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 10pt; margin-top: 10pt;"><b id="docs-internal-guid-e93ff530-7fff-234c-5113-271dd51ce1c1" style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; white-space: pre;">Aggravating factors vary in level and severity depending on the case. They can be as simple as confirmed premeditation for the crime to the intentional use of deadly weapons and force. Other factors can also be taken into account, like an increased risk of re-offending, a previous criminal record, and the defendant’s current mental condition.</span></b></p><h2 dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 10pt; margin-top: 10pt;"><b id="docs-internal-guid-e93ff530-7fff-234c-5113-271dd51ce1c1" style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 16pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; white-space: pre;">What’s Mitigating?</span></b></h2><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 10pt; margin-top: 10pt;"><b id="docs-internal-guid-e93ff530-7fff-234c-5113-271dd51ce1c1" style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; white-space: pre;">On the opposite end, mitigating factors intend to reduce the severity of a defendant's crime. A greater number of mitigating factors can lessen the impact of the charge and open the defendant to lesser penalties.</span></b></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 10pt; margin-top: 10pt;"><b id="docs-internal-guid-e93ff530-7fff-234c-5113-271dd51ce1c1" style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; white-space: pre;">Much like aggravating factors, mitigating factors can vary in level depending on the charge. At worst, they can reduce your sentence; at best, they give you a chance to achieve a dismissal even for the worst crimes. Such factors may include the defendant’s background, circumstances out of the defendant’s control, or the defendant’s admission of guilt.</span></b></p><h2 dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 10pt; margin-top: 10pt;"><b id="docs-internal-guid-e93ff530-7fff-234c-5113-271dd51ce1c1" style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 16pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; white-space: pre;">How They Interact</span></b></h2><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 10pt; margin-top: 10pt;"><b id="docs-internal-guid-e93ff530-7fff-234c-5113-271dd51ce1c1" style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; white-space: pre;">Both factors can affect the outcome of any criminal hearing significantly. As stated earlier, aggravating factors increase the severity of a crime, while mitigating factors reduce it. A defendant must always aim to have more mitigating factors to avoid the worst penalties and/or get a dismissal.</span></b></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 10pt; margin-top: 10pt;"><b id="docs-internal-guid-e93ff530-7fff-234c-5113-271dd51ce1c1" style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; white-space: pre;">One must remember that Nevada courts must find enough aggravating factors before they can elevate a person’s sentence. Multiple mitigators can invalidate the effect of one heavy aggravating factor, protecting the defendant from the worst convictions. However, there are instances where the aggravating factor is so serious that no number of mitigating factors can reduce its effect.</span></b></p><b id="docs-internal-guid-e93ff530-7fff-234c-5113-271dd51ce1c1" style="font-weight: normal;"><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 10pt; margin-top: 10pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; white-space: pre;">Factors affecting your charge can spell the difference between a dismissal and a direct transfer to death row. Ask your legal counsel about how to handle these features in your case.</span></p></b><br class="Apple-interchange-newline" /><p></p>Ross C. Goodman, Esq.http://www.blogger.com/profile/07055675400309864460noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5382792233603259794.post-66776135288346227862022-03-17T00:47:00.003-07:002022-03-17T00:47:48.447-07:00Why Getting Your Nevada Driving License Revoked is Worse than a Suspension<p> <b id="docs-internal-guid-c794c3eb-7fff-d074-36e2-edcf947a59d9" style="font-weight: normal;"></b></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 10pt; margin-top: 10pt;"><b id="docs-internal-guid-c794c3eb-7fff-d074-36e2-edcf947a59d9" style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; white-space: pre;">In a typical driving-related case, one of the most common penalties is to have your </span><a href="https://rossgoodmanlaw.com/criminal-defense-blog/differences-between-a-drivers-license-suspension-and-a-revocation-in-nevada/" style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="-webkit-text-decoration-skip: none; background-color: transparent; color: #1155cc; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration-skip-ink: none; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; white-space: pre;">license suspended</span></a><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; white-space: pre;"> for a period of time. When the case is more severe, however, the DMV can have the defendant’s license revoked.</span></b></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 10pt; margin-top: 10pt;"><b id="docs-internal-guid-c794c3eb-7fff-d074-36e2-edcf947a59d9" style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; white-space: pre;">Some people may not understand the gravity of a license revocation. They may think that it’s basically just a suspension under a different name; however, it has worse consequences. Let’s see a few reasons why getting your driving license revoked in Nevada is worse than a suspension.</span></b></p><h2 dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 10pt; margin-top: 10pt;"><b id="docs-internal-guid-c794c3eb-7fff-d074-36e2-edcf947a59d9" style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 16pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; white-space: pre;">License Void</span></b></h2><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 10pt; margin-top: 10pt;"><b id="docs-internal-guid-c794c3eb-7fff-d074-36e2-edcf947a59d9" style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; white-space: pre;">The way suspensions work is that you can expect to get it lifted later (although you will have to file paperwork to do so). While the suspension period may increase, you can still keep your own license at the end of it all.</span></b></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 10pt; margin-top: 10pt;"><b id="docs-internal-guid-c794c3eb-7fff-d074-36e2-edcf947a59d9" style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; white-space: pre;">In contrast, a revoked license is permanently rendered null and void. It loses all validity, thereby depriving you of the freedom to operate a motor vehicle in Nevada. You will have to go through the full application process again if you wish to regain a driving license. In addition, there is a cooldown period that you will have to let pass before you can re-apply; its length is affected by the severity of the crime committed.</span></b></p><h2 dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 10pt; margin-top: 10pt;"><b id="docs-internal-guid-c794c3eb-7fff-d074-36e2-edcf947a59d9" style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 16pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; white-space: pre;">Additional Provisions</span></b></h2><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 10pt; margin-top: 10pt;"><b id="docs-internal-guid-c794c3eb-7fff-d074-36e2-edcf947a59d9" style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; white-space: pre;">Getting a new license after your old one can be more grueling when the DMV requires that you submit other related documents on top of the usual application forms. For example, they may require you to file an SR-22 insurance form to prove that you are capable of paying off any financial liabilities that may arise from future driving accidents.</span></b></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 10pt; margin-top: 10pt;"><b id="docs-internal-guid-c794c3eb-7fff-d074-36e2-edcf947a59d9" style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; white-space: pre;">On top of that, the DMV may require additional provisions before they grant you a new license. For example, you may be required to install a breath interlock device in your vehicle temporarily or permanently as a condition for keeping your license. Such situations are common in Nevada because many revoked licenses here are due to drunk driving-related incidents.</span></b></p><h2 dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 10pt; margin-top: 10pt;"><b id="docs-internal-guid-c794c3eb-7fff-d074-36e2-edcf947a59d9" style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 16pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; white-space: pre;">Refresher Course</span></b></h2><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 10pt; margin-top: 10pt;"><b id="docs-internal-guid-c794c3eb-7fff-d074-36e2-edcf947a59d9" style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; white-space: pre;">As stated earlier, a driver with a revoked license will be required to apply for a new one after the prescribed period is complete. If the driver’s license has been revoked for at least a year before they re-apply, they may need to undergo certain tests before they can proceed. Some of these tests may include:</span></b></p><ul style="margin-bottom: 0; margin-top: 0; padding-inline-start: 48px;"><li aria-level="1" dir="ltr" style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; list-style-type: disc; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"><p dir="ltr" role="presentation" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 10pt;"><b id="docs-internal-guid-c794c3eb-7fff-d074-36e2-edcf947a59d9" style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; white-space: pre;">Vision tests</span></b></p></li><li aria-level="1" dir="ltr" style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; list-style-type: disc; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"><p dir="ltr" role="presentation" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><b id="docs-internal-guid-c794c3eb-7fff-d074-36e2-edcf947a59d9" style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; white-space: pre;">Written examination regarding road rules and safety</span></b></p></li><li aria-level="1" dir="ltr" style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; list-style-type: disc; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"><p dir="ltr" role="presentation" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 10pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><b id="docs-internal-guid-c794c3eb-7fff-d074-36e2-edcf947a59d9" style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; white-space: pre;">Driving skill tests to determine whether or not you are still fit to drive</span></b></p></li></ul><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 10pt; margin-top: 10pt;"><b id="docs-internal-guid-c794c3eb-7fff-d074-36e2-edcf947a59d9" style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; white-space: pre;">Other tests may be added as the situation demands. Note that the applicant may have to pay for some of these tests.</span></b></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 10pt; margin-top: 10pt;"><b id="docs-internal-guid-c794c3eb-7fff-d074-36e2-edcf947a59d9" style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; white-space: pre;">A revoked driving license can be a worse hassle than a simple suspension, both before and after the revocation period has passed. Avoid the extra hassle with the help of a competent driving crimes defense lawyer in Nevada.</span></b></p><b id="docs-internal-guid-c794c3eb-7fff-d074-36e2-edcf947a59d9" style="font-weight: normal;"><br /><br /></b><p></p>Ross C. Goodman, Esq.http://www.blogger.com/profile/07055675400309864460noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5382792233603259794.post-52737206114471994942022-03-10T00:12:00.002-08:002022-03-10T00:12:50.944-08:00Incarceration for Trans-Women in Nevada<p> <b id="docs-internal-guid-14ab07de-7fff-6b2a-3efe-84d80bbe2bae" style="font-weight: normal;"></b></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 10pt; margin-top: 10pt;"><b id="docs-internal-guid-14ab07de-7fff-6b2a-3efe-84d80bbe2bae" style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; white-space: pre;">Nevada’s prison system has set placements for all-male and </span><a href="https://rossgoodmanlaw.com/criminal-defense-blog/how-women-offenders-are-incarcerated-in-nevada/" style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="-webkit-text-decoration-skip: none; background-color: transparent; color: #1155cc; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration-skip-ink: none; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; white-space: pre;">all-female detainee populations</span></a><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; white-space: pre;">. The state’s correctional facilities for women are on par with those for their male counterparts. Apart from a similar level of security and a greater number of female prison staff, detainees also have access to women-only services, like healthcare and pregnancy support.</span></b></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 10pt; margin-top: 10pt;"><b id="docs-internal-guid-14ab07de-7fff-6b2a-3efe-84d80bbe2bae" style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; white-space: pre;">But what about inmates who do not identify with either demographic? How does Nevada’s prison system handle the needs of, say, trans-women? Let’s take a closer look.</span></b></p><h2 dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 10pt; margin-top: 10pt;"><b id="docs-internal-guid-14ab07de-7fff-6b2a-3efe-84d80bbe2bae" style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 16pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; white-space: pre;">The Selection Process</span></b></h2><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 10pt; margin-top: 10pt;"><b id="docs-internal-guid-14ab07de-7fff-6b2a-3efe-84d80bbe2bae" style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; white-space: pre;">A future detainee cannot be listed as a trans-woman on a claim alone. This usually needs to be determined through a physical and mental examination. The exams can be handled prior to or immediately after arriving at a prison facility.</span></b></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 10pt; margin-top: 10pt;"><b id="docs-internal-guid-14ab07de-7fff-6b2a-3efe-84d80bbe2bae" style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; white-space: pre;"> Even then, confirming their trans-woman status does not automatically merit a transfer to a different detention center. That decision falls to a non-conforming gender review committee assigned to the case by the Nevada Department of Corrections. The NGRC reviews the inmate’s situation and determines whether or not they should be moved. The situation progresses on a case-by-case basis, and the committee has the right to deny a transfer if they find any discrepancies.</span></b></p><h2 dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 10pt; margin-top: 10pt;"><b id="docs-internal-guid-14ab07de-7fff-6b2a-3efe-84d80bbe2bae" style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 16pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; white-space: pre;">What Trans-Women Get as Prisoners</span></b></h2><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 10pt; margin-top: 10pt;"><b id="docs-internal-guid-14ab07de-7fff-6b2a-3efe-84d80bbe2bae" style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; white-space: pre;">Trans-women can be allowed to transfer to an all-women’s facility if the committee approves. Like regular female prisoners, trans-women detainees can also wear female prison wear, as well as female prisoner underwear. They also have direct access to women-only hygiene facilities.</span></b></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 10pt; margin-top: 10pt;"><b id="docs-internal-guid-14ab07de-7fff-6b2a-3efe-84d80bbe2bae" style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; white-space: pre;">In some cases, however, some compromises will be made to keep all prisoners comfortable. For example, a trans-woman detainee may be required to shower separately from other detainees (especially if they are kept in an all-male prison) or moved to a single-person cell.</span></b></p><h2 dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 10pt; margin-top: 10pt;"><b id="docs-internal-guid-14ab07de-7fff-6b2a-3efe-84d80bbe2bae" style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 16pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; white-space: pre;">Trans-Woman Detainee Health</span></b></h2><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 10pt; margin-top: 10pt;"><b id="docs-internal-guid-14ab07de-7fff-6b2a-3efe-84d80bbe2bae" style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; white-space: pre;">Because of their unique circumstances, trans-woman detainees need a specialized medical program to be able to stay healthy inside prison. A medical provider will create a management plan to support the detainee’s physical and mental health. This specialized medical program often involves:</span></b></p><ul style="margin-bottom: 0; margin-top: 0; padding-inline-start: 48px;"><li aria-level="1" dir="ltr" style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; list-style-type: disc; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"><p dir="ltr" role="presentation" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 10pt;"><b id="docs-internal-guid-14ab07de-7fff-6b2a-3efe-84d80bbe2bae" style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; white-space: pre;">regular hormone therapy</span></b></p></li><li aria-level="1" dir="ltr" style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; list-style-type: disc; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"><p dir="ltr" role="presentation" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><b id="docs-internal-guid-14ab07de-7fff-6b2a-3efe-84d80bbe2bae" style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; white-space: pre;">psychotherapy</span></b></p></li><li aria-level="1" dir="ltr" style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; list-style-type: disc; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"><p dir="ltr" role="presentation" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><b id="docs-internal-guid-14ab07de-7fff-6b2a-3efe-84d80bbe2bae" style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; white-space: pre;">regular mental checkups</span></b></p></li><li aria-level="1" dir="ltr" style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; list-style-type: disc; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"><p dir="ltr" role="presentation" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><b id="docs-internal-guid-14ab07de-7fff-6b2a-3efe-84d80bbe2bae" style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; white-space: pre;">physical checks</span></b></p></li></ul><ul style="margin-bottom: 0; margin-top: 0; padding-inline-start: 48px;"><li aria-level="1" dir="ltr" style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; list-style-type: disc; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"><p dir="ltr" role="presentation" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 10pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><b id="docs-internal-guid-14ab07de-7fff-6b2a-3efe-84d80bbe2bae" style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; white-space: pre;">Annual visit from a provider to review their program</span></b></p></li></ul><b id="docs-internal-guid-14ab07de-7fff-6b2a-3efe-84d80bbe2bae" style="font-weight: normal;"><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 10pt; margin-top: 10pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; white-space: pre;">Nevada aims to accommodate the needs of its prisoners no matter what background or sexual orientation they may have. Consult your defense lawyer to learn more about what other prisoners you are afforded to you as a detainee in Nevada.</span></p></b><br class="Apple-interchange-newline" /><p></p>Ross C. Goodman, Esq.http://www.blogger.com/profile/07055675400309864460noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5382792233603259794.post-16320882458295768922022-03-02T23:37:00.001-08:002022-03-02T23:37:29.000-08:00Four Benefits of Getting a Pardon in Las Vegas<p> <a href="https://rossgoodmanlaw.com/criminal-defense-blog/why-getting-a-pardon-in-nevada-is-good-for-you/" style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span style="color: #1155cc; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; text-decoration-line: underline; text-decoration-skip-ink: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">A pardon</span></a><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> is a legally-binding declaration that absolves a convicted individual of a crime they committed against the state of Nevada. It is handed down by the state’s Pardon Board, a committee that includes the Governor, the Attorney-General, and the Justices of the Supreme Court. With a pardon, a convicted person is automatically freed from prison and can begin the slow process of recovering their life prior to their incarceration.</span></p><span id="docs-internal-guid-d2390b53-7fff-7ce5-7dbc-e8d4755da79e"><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 10pt; margin-top: 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">This legal process offers a number of benefits that can affect a formerly-convicted individual either immediately or in the long run. Let’s look at four benefits of getting a pardon in Las Vegas.</span></p><h2 dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 10pt; margin-top: 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-weight: 400; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Regaining Your Rights</span></h2><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 10pt; margin-top: 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Criminal Convictions invalidate most civil rights that a person may have. These include the right to vote, to serve in a jury, to hold public office, to gain employment, and to own a firearm, among other things. A pardon allows the defendant to regain some of these rights lost, rebuilding a semblance of their pre-conviction life. Not all effects are instantaneous, however; the right to hold public office only returns at least four years after the pardon, for instance. </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 10pt; margin-top: 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Not all pardoned individuals can recover these rights immediately, however. Those facing category A felonies (or category B felonies that involved force and harm) or those who committed multiple felonies may have to appeal to the court that sentenced them with the crime. Pardoning also does not preclude sexual offenders from requiring to register.</span></p><h2 dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 10pt; margin-top: 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-weight: 400; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Returning Job Opportunities</span></h2><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 10pt; margin-top: 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">As stated in the previous section, conviction removes a person’s right to get a job. Convictions can affect everyone from entry-level laborers to high-end executives. A pardon allows the defendant to seek employment once again. Employers may require a person to attach a photocopy of their pardon orders to their application documents before being hired.</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 10pt; margin-top: 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">There are instances where a pardon does not equal an immediate return to being good to hire. Potential employers may mark off a pardoned individual if their moral character is still not up to snuff after the pardon. Certain professional boards may also deny the reinstatement of a person’s professional license after getting a pardon.</span></p><h2 dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 10pt; margin-top: 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-weight: 400; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Witness Rights</span></h2><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 10pt; margin-top: 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">A person with a prior criminal conviction is often a liability as a witness. The opposing lawyer may attack a person’s previous sentences to discredit their viability as a defense or prosecution witness, for example. A pardon invalidates any attempts to use their conviction to invalidate their witness testimony in a court of law. Note that this is also on a case-by-case basis; a court may throw out a pardoned person’s testimony depending on the circumstances.</span></p><h2 dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 10pt; margin-top: 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-weight: 400; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Relief for Immigrants</span></h2><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 10pt; margin-top: 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Serious criminal offenses are oftentimes legal grounds to deport an immigrant. If the crime does not involve extradition to the immigrant’s home country, they can be sent back before or after their sentence is complete. Receiving a pardon gives the offending immigrant a better chance to avoid deportation and stay in the country. Note that it says ‘a chance to avoid deportation’; a pardon does not mean the immigrant will not be thrown out for other circumstances related to the crime. For example, the crime may reveal that the immigrant poses a domestic danger to the community even after they have been pardoned.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 10pt; margin-top: 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">A legal pardon opens a lot of opportunities for a formerly-convicted individual to go back to their former lives. However, they also have their own drawbacks that may have to be addressed by other means.</span></p><div><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></div></span>Ross C. Goodman, Esq.http://www.blogger.com/profile/07055675400309864460noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5382792233603259794.post-66740242818601405312022-02-23T23:23:00.001-08:002022-02-23T23:23:08.881-08:00Additional Tasks To Do When on OR Release<p> <b id="docs-internal-guid-cc48bbb9-7fff-f68b-8fdf-e72723f124c7" style="font-weight: normal;"></b></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 10pt; margin-top: 10pt;"><b id="docs-internal-guid-cc48bbb9-7fff-f68b-8fdf-e72723f124c7" style="font-weight: normal;"><a href="https://rossgoodmanlaw.com/criminal-defense-blog/consequences-of-violating-your-or-release-in-nevada/" style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="-webkit-text-decoration-skip: none; background-color: transparent; color: #1155cc; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration-skip-ink: none; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; white-space: pre;">An own cognizance release</span></a><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; white-space: pre;"> is a legal process where a previously-booked defendant can avoid jail time and bail by submitting a written document guaranteeing that they will be on their best behavior outside of prison. The defendant swears on oath that they will follow all the rules of a defendant on bail while they are out of jail. In a way, it’s like being on bail without having to pay.</span></b></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 10pt; margin-top: 10pt;"><b id="docs-internal-guid-cc48bbb9-7fff-f68b-8fdf-e72723f124c7" style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; white-space: pre;">Usually, being on OR release means that the defendant must stay up to date with all court hearings and regularly report their whereabouts to a case officer monitoring them. Of course, there are other things a defendant may be required to do as part of their dues. Let’s look at some such tasks to do when on OR release.</span></b></p><h2 dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 10pt; margin-top: 10pt;"><b id="docs-internal-guid-cc48bbb9-7fff-f68b-8fdf-e72723f124c7" style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 16pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; white-space: pre;">Drug and/or Alcohol-related Items</span></b></h2><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 10pt; margin-top: 10pt;"><b id="docs-internal-guid-cc48bbb9-7fff-f68b-8fdf-e72723f124c7" style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; white-space: pre;">This one is usually for those facing a DUI or drug case. The court will require the defendant to be clean or sober for the duration that they are out, except if they require to ingest prescription medication. They may also be required to strap on some alcohol and drug monitoring devices, as well as submit to surprise tests. The defendant may also be required to attempt a substance abuse rehab program even when the court hearing is in order.</span></b></p><h2 dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 10pt; margin-top: 10pt;"><b id="docs-internal-guid-cc48bbb9-7fff-f68b-8fdf-e72723f124c7" style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 16pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; white-space: pre;">Assault/Domestic Violence/Harassment Items</span></b></h2><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 10pt; margin-top: 10pt;"><b id="docs-internal-guid-cc48bbb9-7fff-f68b-8fdf-e72723f124c7" style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; white-space: pre;">Defendants facing domestic violence and physical assault charges will be required to avoid getting in contact with other parties concerned to the case while they are out. They will also be barred from visiting locales related to the complaint, such as their place of residence (if they are married or living together), their place of work (if they are co-workers), or just about any place with many people (if they pose a risk to the public). In most extreme situations, the defendant may be put under home detention and only allowed to visit certain places under supervision.</span></b></p><h2 dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 6pt; margin-top: 18pt;"><b id="docs-internal-guid-cc48bbb9-7fff-f68b-8fdf-e72723f124c7" style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 16pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; white-space: pre;">Items Related to Law Enforcement</span></b></h2><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 10pt; margin-top: 10pt;"><b id="docs-internal-guid-cc48bbb9-7fff-f68b-8fdf-e72723f124c7" style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; white-space: pre;">You can expect to be subjected to several police searches for the duration that you are out on OR rules. These searches do not require a search warrant, so avoid resisting if you do not wish to be arrested. You will also be required to report to a probation officer about your activities from time to time. Failure to do so can tip off the authorities that you are missing on your duties.</span></b></p><h2 dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 10pt; margin-top: 10pt;"><b id="docs-internal-guid-cc48bbb9-7fff-f68b-8fdf-e72723f124c7" style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 16pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; white-space: pre;">Miscellaneous Items</span></b></h2><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 10pt; margin-top: 10pt;"><b id="docs-internal-guid-cc48bbb9-7fff-f68b-8fdf-e72723f124c7" style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; white-space: pre;">Certain cases that have OR options require other kinds of responsibilities so that the defendant can stay out of jail. For example, the defendant may be required to observe curfew hours for as long as they are required. They may also be required to avoid travel outside of Nevada, as well as wear a monitoring device to keep authorities in the know about their current location.</span></b></p><b id="docs-internal-guid-cc48bbb9-7fff-f68b-8fdf-e72723f124c7" style="font-weight: normal;"><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 10pt; margin-top: 10pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; white-space: pre;">Different charges have different requirements for their OR releases to be granted. Talk to your lawyer about the different own recognizance requirements that you may need.</span></p></b><br class="Apple-interchange-newline" /><p></p>Ross C. Goodman, Esq.http://www.blogger.com/profile/07055675400309864460noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5382792233603259794.post-19900264022810744062022-02-17T00:18:00.003-08:002022-02-17T00:18:36.985-08:00Review: Felony DUI Courts in Las Vegas<p> <b id="docs-internal-guid-b13deab8-7fff-1e23-07ab-64f72229bae1" style="font-weight: normal;"></b></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 10pt; margin-top: 10pt;"><b id="docs-internal-guid-b13deab8-7fff-1e23-07ab-64f72229bae1" style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; white-space: pre;">When a person is convicted in a </span><a href="https://rossgoodmanlaw.com/criminal-defense-blog/review-four-types-of-felony-dui-in-nevada/" style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="-webkit-text-decoration-skip: none; background-color: transparent; color: #1155cc; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration-skip-ink: none; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; white-space: pre;">Felony DUI complaint in Nevada</span></a><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; white-space: pre;">, they can expect severe penalties and long prison sentences in their future. Of course, they will do all they can to dispute the charge and avoid all the punishment. It can and will be an uphill battle, however.</span></b></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 10pt; margin-top: 10pt;"><b id="docs-internal-guid-b13deab8-7fff-1e23-07ab-64f72229bae1" style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; white-space: pre;">Luckily for you, the justice system offers an alternative to prison time and fines in the form of the felony DUI court. Let’s a take closer look at how felony DUI courts work in Las Vegas</span></b></p><h2 dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 10pt; margin-top: 10pt;"><b id="docs-internal-guid-b13deab8-7fff-1e23-07ab-64f72229bae1" style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 16pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; white-space: pre;">Felony DUI Court?</span></b></h2><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 10pt; margin-top: 10pt;"><b id="docs-internal-guid-b13deab8-7fff-1e23-07ab-64f72229bae1" style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; white-space: pre;">A felony DUI court is a court-supervised alternative program for people facing drunk driving charges in Las Vegas. It is offered to defendants with three or more DUI convictions on their record but no prior related felony convictions. It offers counseling and rehabilitation to help individuals deal with their drunk driving problems, come clean and stay sober, as well as minimize the possibility of repeat offending in the future.</span></b></p><h2 dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 10pt; margin-top: 10pt;"><b id="docs-internal-guid-b13deab8-7fff-1e23-07ab-64f72229bae1" style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 16pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; white-space: pre;">How Does it Work?</span></b></h2><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 10pt; margin-top: 10pt;"><b id="docs-internal-guid-b13deab8-7fff-1e23-07ab-64f72229bae1" style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; white-space: pre;">Despite its name, a felony DUI court operates like a standard rehabilitation and therapeutic program for recovering alcoholics. It does have the caveat that the defendant must undergo house arrest for a maximum of six months and wear a continuous alcohol monitoring anklet for the duration of the program or until required by the court. The program lasts between three and five years, depending on how severe the charge was.</span></b></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 10pt; margin-top: 10pt;"><b id="docs-internal-guid-b13deab8-7fff-1e23-07ab-64f72229bae1" style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; white-space: pre;">As a standard, the intensive rehab program usually involves most if not all of the activities listed below:</span></b></p><ul style="margin-bottom: 0; margin-top: 0; padding-inline-start: 48px;"><li aria-level="1" dir="ltr" style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; list-style-type: disc; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"><p dir="ltr" role="presentation" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 10pt;"><b id="docs-internal-guid-b13deab8-7fff-1e23-07ab-64f72229bae1" style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; white-space: pre;">Regular urine drug/alcohol testing</span></b></p></li><li aria-level="1" dir="ltr" style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; list-style-type: disc; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"><p dir="ltr" role="presentation" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><b id="docs-internal-guid-b13deab8-7fff-1e23-07ab-64f72229bae1" style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; white-space: pre;">Individual and/or group counseling</span></b></p></li><li aria-level="1" dir="ltr" style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; list-style-type: disc; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"><p dir="ltr" role="presentation" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><b id="docs-internal-guid-b13deab8-7fff-1e23-07ab-64f72229bae1" style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; white-space: pre;">Mental health therapy</span></b></p></li><li aria-level="1" dir="ltr" style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; list-style-type: disc; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"><p dir="ltr" role="presentation" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><b id="docs-internal-guid-b13deab8-7fff-1e23-07ab-64f72229bae1" style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; white-space: pre;">Collaborative case management</span></b></p></li><li aria-level="1" dir="ltr" style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; list-style-type: disc; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"><p dir="ltr" role="presentation" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><b id="docs-internal-guid-b13deab8-7fff-1e23-07ab-64f72229bae1" style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; white-space: pre;">Outpatient services</span></b></p></li><li aria-level="1" dir="ltr" style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; list-style-type: disc; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"><p dir="ltr" role="presentation" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><b id="docs-internal-guid-b13deab8-7fff-1e23-07ab-64f72229bae1" style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; white-space: pre;">Weekly support group meetings</span></b></p></li><li aria-level="1" dir="ltr" style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; list-style-type: disc; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"><p dir="ltr" role="presentation" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><b id="docs-internal-guid-b13deab8-7fff-1e23-07ab-64f72229bae1" style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; white-space: pre;">Community supervision</span></b></p></li><li aria-level="1" dir="ltr" style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; list-style-type: disc; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"><p dir="ltr" role="presentation" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 10pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><b id="docs-internal-guid-b13deab8-7fff-1e23-07ab-64f72229bae1" style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; white-space: pre;">Regular court reporting</span></b></p></li></ul><h2 dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 10pt; margin-top: 10pt;"><b id="docs-internal-guid-b13deab8-7fff-1e23-07ab-64f72229bae1" style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 16pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; white-space: pre;">Additional Things to Remember</span></b></h2><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 10pt; margin-top: 10pt;"><b id="docs-internal-guid-b13deab8-7fff-1e23-07ab-64f72229bae1" style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; white-space: pre;">You will have to meet eligibility requirements to be admitted to a felony DUI court. These usually include:</span></b></p><ul style="margin-bottom: 0; margin-top: 0; padding-inline-start: 48px;"><li aria-level="1" dir="ltr" style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; list-style-type: disc; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"><p dir="ltr" role="presentation" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 10pt;"><b id="docs-internal-guid-b13deab8-7fff-1e23-07ab-64f72229bae1" style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; white-space: pre;">Minimum three DUI charges within the seven-year period</span></b></p></li><li aria-level="1" dir="ltr" style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; list-style-type: disc; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"><p dir="ltr" role="presentation" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><b id="docs-internal-guid-b13deab8-7fff-1e23-07ab-64f72229bae1" style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; white-space: pre;">Identified problems with alcohol/drugs</span></b></p></li><li aria-level="1" dir="ltr" style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; list-style-type: disc; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"><p dir="ltr" role="presentation" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><b id="docs-internal-guid-b13deab8-7fff-1e23-07ab-64f72229bae1" style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; white-space: pre;">Must not have prior felony DUI convictions</span></b></p></li><li aria-level="1" dir="ltr" style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; list-style-type: disc; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"><p dir="ltr" role="presentation" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 10pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><b id="docs-internal-guid-b13deab8-7fff-1e23-07ab-64f72229bae1" style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; white-space: pre;">Must not have completed the program before</span></b></p></li></ul><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 10pt; margin-top: 10pt;"><b id="docs-internal-guid-b13deab8-7fff-1e23-07ab-64f72229bae1" style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; white-space: pre;">Your participation is not free or subsidized. You will have to pay for all the fees, including court dues, house arrest, probation, treatment costs and the like. The current going rate is $554.60 a month for the entire program.</span></b></p><b id="docs-internal-guid-b13deab8-7fff-1e23-07ab-64f72229bae1" style="font-weight: normal;"><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 10pt; margin-top: 10pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; white-space: pre;">Felony DUI court is a viable alternative if you wish to avoid a lengthy prison stay. Consult your DUI lawyer to help weigh out your options. </span></p></b><br class="Apple-interchange-newline" /><p></p>Ross C. Goodman, Esq.http://www.blogger.com/profile/07055675400309864460noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5382792233603259794.post-11460943737684137192022-02-10T00:22:00.005-08:002022-02-10T00:22:41.798-08:00What is the 'Shared Fault' Clause?<p> <b id="docs-internal-guid-d7bb35d0-7fff-cc50-08f6-546bf3a6266e" style="font-weight: normal;"></b></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 10pt; margin-top: 10pt;"><b id="docs-internal-guid-d7bb35d0-7fff-cc50-08f6-546bf3a6266e" style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; white-space: pre;">One of the things you learn as part of Nevada’s road rules is that the state has an </span><a href="https://rossgoodmanlaw.com/criminal-defense-blog/nevada-and-the-fault-state-clause-for-car-accidents/" style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="-webkit-text-decoration-skip: none; background-color: transparent; color: #1155cc; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration-skip-ink: none; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; white-space: pre;">at-fault clause for road accidents</span></a><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; white-space: pre;">. This means that the person responsible for the collision must pay out for the other parties’ fees out of their own insurance plans. They are legally obligated to do so; they can be prosecuted if they fail to do so.</span></b></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 10pt; margin-top: 10pt;"><b id="docs-internal-guid-d7bb35d0-7fff-cc50-08f6-546bf3a6266e" style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; white-space: pre;">As a fault state, Nevada requires responsible drivers to pay for any damages they have caused in a road accident. However, there are instances where both parties involved in a collision can be blamed for the incident. This situation is called a shared fault case.</span></b></p><h2 dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 10pt; margin-top: 10pt;"><b id="docs-internal-guid-d7bb35d0-7fff-cc50-08f6-546bf3a6266e" style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 16pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; white-space: pre;">What is Shared Fault?</span></b></h2><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 10pt; margin-top: 10pt;"><b id="docs-internal-guid-d7bb35d0-7fff-cc50-08f6-546bf3a6266e" style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; white-space: pre;">Shared fault is a legal situation where all parties involved in a vehicular collision played a role in the accident. This means that even the supposed victim in the case is at fault for causing the collision in the first place. It is also referred to as comparative negligence in most jurisdictions.</span></b></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 10pt; margin-top: 10pt;"><b id="docs-internal-guid-d7bb35d0-7fff-cc50-08f6-546bf3a6266e" style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; white-space: pre;">Shared fault is assigned in terms of percentages. Shares vary from as small as 20 percent of damages to at most 50 percent damages due. The percentage share is assigned after a thorough investigation on all parties concerned.</span></b></p><h2 dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 10pt; margin-top: 10pt;"><b id="docs-internal-guid-d7bb35d0-7fff-cc50-08f6-546bf3a6266e" style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 16pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; white-space: pre;">Shared Fault in Nevada</span></b></h2><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 10pt; margin-top: 10pt;"><b id="docs-internal-guid-d7bb35d0-7fff-cc50-08f6-546bf3a6266e" style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; white-space: pre;">Nevada has a modified shared fault rule when it comes to car accidents. It allows parties involved in a collision to recover some of the money they have to pay instead of handing out the full amount. That means all parties can receive restitution instead of just having one person responsible for paying for all the repairs.</span></b></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 10pt; margin-top: 10pt;"><b id="docs-internal-guid-d7bb35d0-7fff-cc50-08f6-546bf3a6266e" style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; white-space: pre;">As a rule, the shared fault clause in Nevada is in effect if all parties involved are responsible for less than 50 percent of the damages and wounds received. Note that the amount of damages each party can recover is inversely proportional to the percentage of damage that they are responsible for. For example, if a person is responsible for 30% of all damages inflicted during the accident, they can get back 70% of all the costs. Going over the 50% limit for damages invalidates any attempts to recover damages in Nevada.</span></b></p><h2 dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 10pt; margin-top: 10pt;"><b id="docs-internal-guid-d7bb35d0-7fff-cc50-08f6-546bf3a6266e" style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 16pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; white-space: pre;">Shared Fault and You</span></b></h2><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 10pt; margin-top: 10pt;"><b id="docs-internal-guid-d7bb35d0-7fff-cc50-08f6-546bf3a6266e" style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; white-space: pre;">The shared fault clause reduces a person’s financial duties after an accident. Instead of shouldering the cost alone, all people involved in the accident will have to pool in, only paying for their part.</span></b></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 10pt; margin-top: 10pt;"><b id="docs-internal-guid-d7bb35d0-7fff-cc50-08f6-546bf3a6266e" style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; white-space: pre;">This could work well if you’re facing a criminal charge related to the accident, like a DUI or reckless driving complaint. You have less to worry about when it comes to legal fees, so you can focus most of your resources on the legal hearing instead of worrying about how much more to pay for the other party’s damages and wounds.</span></b></p><b id="docs-internal-guid-d7bb35d0-7fff-cc50-08f6-546bf3a6266e" style="font-weight: normal;"><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 10pt; margin-top: 10pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; white-space: pre;">The shared fault clause is an important factor to consider when you’re involved in a road accident in Las Vegas. Contact a Las Vegas defense lawyer to learn more about how it can affect your DUI case.</span></p></b><br class="Apple-interchange-newline" /><p></p>Ross C. Goodman, Esq.http://www.blogger.com/profile/07055675400309864460noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5382792233603259794.post-9465573766838462612022-02-03T00:01:00.001-08:002022-02-03T00:01:11.526-08:00How To Deal With Warrants in Las Vegas<p> <b id="docs-internal-guid-4b010d1e-7fff-0dc4-d9e8-12246d6d9901" style="font-weight: normal;"></b></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 10pt; margin-top: 10pt;"><b id="docs-internal-guid-4b010d1e-7fff-0dc4-d9e8-12246d6d9901" style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; white-space: pre;">Picture this: one day you just find out that there is a </span><a href="https://rossgoodmanlaw.com/criminal-defense-blog/checking-for-standing-warrants-las-vegas/" style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="-webkit-text-decoration-skip: none; background-color: transparent; color: #1155cc; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration-skip-ink: none; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; white-space: pre;">warrant out for you in Las Vegas</span></a><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; white-space: pre;">. You are either out-of-state, or are in an area where the concerned law enforcement have not reached you yet. Going back to Las Vegas can and will lead to an immediate arrest, and you are unprepared for the eventuality. In such situations, a seasoned defense attorney can help.</span></b></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 10pt; margin-top: 10pt;"><b id="docs-internal-guid-4b010d1e-7fff-0dc4-d9e8-12246d6d9901" style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; white-space: pre;">Defense lawyers are also trained to handle arrest warrants aimed at their clients. They can handle arrangements to make the arrest go smoother and easier for a defendant. Let’s look at how your lawyer can deal with warrants in Las Vegas.</span></b></p><h2 dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 10pt; margin-top: 10pt;"><b id="docs-internal-guid-4b010d1e-7fff-0dc4-d9e8-12246d6d9901" style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 16pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; white-space: pre;">Handling an Arrest Warrant</span></b></h2><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 10pt; margin-top: 10pt;"><b id="docs-internal-guid-4b010d1e-7fff-0dc4-d9e8-12246d6d9901" style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; white-space: pre;">Arrest warrants authorize police officers to apprehend you anytime, anywhere, so long as it is within legal limits. Officers can visit you at your home or place of residence, or they can meet you at the airport and take you in. Any attempts to avoid facing the cops can be perceived as an attempt at resisting arrest, and can lead to worse consequences afterward.</span></b></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 10pt; margin-top: 10pt;"><b id="docs-internal-guid-4b010d1e-7fff-0dc4-d9e8-12246d6d9901" style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; white-space: pre;">Your defense lawyer can work with the prosecutor to smooth out the arrest process when the warrant is issued. They will arrange a surrender-and-walk-through procedure where you can report to the court handling the charges against you, get booked, and arrange for the corresponding bail. You are then temporarily free while both the prosecution and your lawyer handle the specifics of the case prior to the hearing.</span></b></p><h2 dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 10pt; margin-top: 10pt;"><b id="docs-internal-guid-4b010d1e-7fff-0dc4-d9e8-12246d6d9901" style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 16pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; white-space: pre;">Working On a Bench Warrant</span></b></h2><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 10pt; margin-top: 10pt;"><b id="docs-internal-guid-4b010d1e-7fff-0dc4-d9e8-12246d6d9901" style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; white-space: pre;">A Bench warrant can be an additional burden to an already taxing criminal case. This warrant authorizes your arrest if you fail to appear on a court date for the charges against you, or if you violate other court rules. The consequences of a bench warrant arrest can complicate an already tricky criminal hearing.</span></b></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 10pt; margin-top: 10pt;"><b id="docs-internal-guid-4b010d1e-7fff-0dc4-d9e8-12246d6d9901" style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; white-space: pre;">Fortunately, most defense lawyers can formally request the court to quash the warrant. The court will then allow a hearing where your lawyer can argue your case. If successful, you can avoid any additional penalties and your criminal hearings can proceed as normal.</span></b></p><b id="docs-internal-guid-4b010d1e-7fff-0dc4-d9e8-12246d6d9901" style="font-weight: normal;"><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 10pt; margin-top: 10pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; white-space: pre;">Always accept a warrant reasonably; failure to do so can add more legal headaches down the line. Consult with a Las Vegas lawyer so you can better understand how to handle an arrest warrant against you.</span></p></b><br class="Apple-interchange-newline" /><p></p>Ross C. Goodman, Esq.http://www.blogger.com/profile/07055675400309864460noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5382792233603259794.post-3741426199971165732022-01-20T01:02:00.003-08:002022-01-20T01:02:26.432-08:00Can I get my Crime Reduced to a Sealable Offense in Las Vegas?<span id="docs-internal-guid-429062f3-7fff-ff09-fd08-a12c1453d97e"><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 10pt; margin-top: 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">You </span><a href="https://www.goodmancriminaldefenseattorney.vegas/criminal-defense-blog/which-crimes-are-ineligible-for-record-sealing-in-nevada/" style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span style="color: #1155cc; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; text-decoration-line: underline; text-decoration-skip-ink: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">cannot seal the records for severe crimes</span></a><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> in Nevada. Many of these crimes will remain permanent on your record unless you can get them removed through a pardon or other special legal circumstances. Otherwise, you can expect to have a really difficult time reintegrating into society.</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 10pt; margin-top: 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Fortunately, there are still options that allow convicted individuals to get some post-conviction relief. For instance, your </span><a href="https://www.lawyers.com/las-vegas/nevada/ross-goodman-1484042-a/" style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span style="color: #1155cc; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; text-decoration-line: underline; text-decoration-skip-ink: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Las Vegas lawyer</span></a><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> may advise you that you can get your sentence reduced to a sealable offense.</span></p><h2 dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 10pt; margin-top: 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-weight: 400; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Reduce to a Sealable Offense?</span></h2><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 10pt; margin-top: 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Yes, your lawyer can help you get your conviction down to a sealable offense. In most cases, this may involve a plea deal with the court, where the defendant can admit their guilt in a charge in exchange for a reduced or less severe sentence. In the case of a post-conviction hearing, the defendant can contend that proper procedure was not followed, or they were not properly advised on how the proceedings went down. Such situations can lead to a reduction of the sentence or a retrial, depending on the circumstances. These reduced charges give a chance for the defendant to get a sealable offense.</span></p><h2 dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 10pt; margin-top: 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-weight: 400; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Do I have to wait before I can Seal my Case?</span></h2><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 10pt; margin-top: 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Just like standard convictions, sentences reduced from unsealable charges have a cooldown period before they can be eligible for sealing. The cooldown period always depends on the severity of the crime, regardless of the type of crime committed. The common waiting periods are listed below.</span></p><ul style="margin-bottom: 0; margin-top: 0; padding-inline-start: 48px;"><li aria-level="1" dir="ltr" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; list-style-type: disc; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"><p dir="ltr" role="presentation" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 10pt;"><span style="font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Crimes reduced to misdemeanors can be sealed after one year.</span></p></li><li aria-level="1" dir="ltr" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; list-style-type: disc; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"><p dir="ltr" role="presentation" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Gross misdemeanors, minor felonies, and minor domestic violence cases require two years.</span></p></li><li aria-level="1" dir="ltr" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; list-style-type: disc; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"><p dir="ltr" role="presentation" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Crimes downgraded to D, C, and B felonies cannot be sealed until five years have passed.</span></p></li><li aria-level="1" dir="ltr" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; list-style-type: disc; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"><p dir="ltr" role="presentation" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Misdemeanor DUI cases and battery charges require seven years.</span></p></li><li aria-level="1" dir="ltr" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; list-style-type: disc; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"><p dir="ltr" role="presentation" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 10pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">All other crimes short of unsealable charges require a ten-year cooldown.</span></p></li></ul><h2 dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 10pt; margin-top: 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-weight: 400; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">What Are the Consequences for Me?</span></h2><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 10pt; margin-top: 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Unsealable convictions have serious consequences on a person’s life down the line. On top of making it difficult to regain employment, you are also barred from voting, running for a government position, regaining your license, or serving on a jury. It will be hard to regain your footing with a conviction permanently on your record. </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 10pt; margin-top: 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">On the other hand, getting a record seal can partially bring back some of your rights. You can potentially seek a job or regain a driver’s license as soon as the records are sealed. However, some of your rights may still be curtailed; for example, you are still barred from owning a firearm.</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 10pt; margin-top: 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">For people with severe criminal charges, getting a reduced sentence is the best way to avoid more severe punishments. It is best to ask a competent lawyer to find the best step to have your charges reduced.</span></p></span><p> </p>Ross C. Goodman, Esq.http://www.blogger.com/profile/07055675400309864460noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5382792233603259794.post-4613828766530102882022-01-19T01:02:00.003-08:002022-01-19T01:02:52.638-08:00Other Situations Where You Can Work with a Public Defender<p> <span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">People face criminal charges in Las Vegas regularly, but not everyone can afford the services of a </span><a href="https://www.avvo.com/attorneys/89101-nv-ross-goodman-4213626.html" style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span style="color: #1155cc; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; text-decoration-line: underline; text-decoration-skip-ink: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">veteran defense attorney</span></a><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">. In such cases, people turn to </span><a href="https://www.goodmancriminaldefenseattorney.vegas/criminal-defense-blog/how-do-defendants-get-a-public-defender-in-nevada/" style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span style="color: #1155cc; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; text-decoration-line: underline; text-decoration-skip-ink: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">veteran public defenders</span></a><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> instead. These lawyers represent clients without expecting immediate compensation, and can be just as good as private practices when push comes to shove.</span></p><span id="docs-internal-guid-0c15d611-7fff-2534-6f0f-cbc5c5b88bb4"><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 10pt; margin-top: 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Public defenders are oftentimes listed in most criminal proceedings like felony or gross misdemeanor hearings. They are not limited to such cases, however. Let’s look at other situations where you can work with a public defender in Las Vegas.</span></p><h2 dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 10pt; margin-top: 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-weight: 400; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Parole Hearings</span></h2><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 10pt; margin-top: 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Prison inmates don’t always have financial assistance from outside. As such, most inmates can’t really afford to have legal counsel when summoned for a parole hearing. In such cases, the prisoner can request for a public defender to represent him during the hearings. Many public defenders are trained in dealing with prisoner rights and can effectively argue for the merits of paroling an inmate.</span></p><h2 dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 10pt; margin-top: 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-weight: 400; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Juvenile Trials</span></h2><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 10pt; margin-top: 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Many minor defendants come from families who would have a hard time paying for a lawyer. As such, many juvenile trials involve public defenders representing these minors. As many cases in juvenile courts take less time to be heard than in adult courts, seeking a public defender over a private firm is more cost-efficient in the long run. The pay-later scheme also works as a plus.</span></p><h2 dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 10pt; margin-top: 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-weight: 400; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Involuntary Commitment Hearings</span></h2><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 10pt; margin-top: 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">An involuntary commitment involves the confinement to a medical institution of a person suffering from a treatable mental disorder against his or her wishes. This cannot be accomplished unless the court determines through a legal hearing that there are grounds to confine the individual. Public defenders have the expertise to handle such sensitive cases, and are more affordable in certain cases when compared to private firms.</span></p><h2 dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 10pt; margin-top: 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-weight: 400; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Parental Termination Proceedings</span></h2><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 10pt; margin-top: 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Parental termination refers to the removal of a person’s rights to be a parent or legal guardian of another person. This is often an issue between spouses, problems with a legally-recognized guardian, or a case involving an abusive family. Perceived neglect is one of the most common reasons why parental termination charges are filed. In some instances, the neglect is involuntary and is the result of financial troubles. Public defenders can help in such cases if the defendant is short on funds.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 10pt; margin-top: 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Public defenders can cover a lot of legal hearings thanks to their experience. They can be a reliable alternative for people who can’t afford the services of a private defense attorney. Read up more on public defenders to see what other services they can provide for you.</span></p><div><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></div></span>Ross C. Goodman, Esq.http://www.blogger.com/profile/07055675400309864460noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5382792233603259794.post-54982636461521564012022-01-13T00:26:00.001-08:002022-01-13T00:26:35.161-08:00Penalties for Out-of-State Firearm Law Violators in Las Vegas<p> <span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; white-space: pre-wrap;">Nevada’s gun laws may not be some of the toughest in the country, but the state still enacts strict punishments for anyone who breaks them. The courts will put a heavy price for most firearm offenses, from carrying without a permit to possessing as a minor.</span></p><span id="docs-internal-guid-f1efd337-7fff-bc91-0b06-dcee3c9b7d9d"><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 10pt; margin-top: 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">The state also applies the full effect of the law on violators from out-of-state. Failure to submit to Nevada’s gun rules means that the out-of-state defendant will be tried under Nevada rules. Listed below are some of the penalties for out-of-state violators of firearm laws in Las Vegas.</span></p><h2 dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 10pt; margin-top: 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-weight: 400; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Permitless Concealed Carrying</span></h2><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 10pt; margin-top: 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">As a shall-issue state, Nevada takes great effort in ensuring that both citizens and </span><a href="https://www.goodmancriminaldefenseattorney.vegas/criminal-defense-blog/firearm-rules-for-out-of-state-visitors-in-nevada/" style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span style="color: #1155cc; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; text-decoration-line: underline; text-decoration-skip-ink: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">out-of-town firearms owners</span></a><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-style: italic; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">have permits to conceal carry in public. Failure to do so counts as a category C felony. Violators, both from within or outside the state, face the same penalties if found guilty. This means a maximum of 5 years in a Nevada prison, and up to $10,000 in penalties subject to the judge’s discretion.</span></p><h2 dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 10pt; margin-top: 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-weight: 400; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Restricted from Owning Guns</span></h2><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 10pt; margin-top: 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">State rules prescribe a list of individuals who are not permitted from owning, carrying, and using firearms. If you cross state lines while falling under any of the categories listed below and you are found with a gun, you can be slapped with a category B felony. These restricted individuals include:</span></p><ul style="margin-bottom: 0; margin-top: 0; padding-inline-start: 48px;"><li aria-level="1" dir="ltr" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; list-style-type: disc; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"><p dir="ltr" role="presentation" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 10pt;"><span style="font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Convicted felons and stalkers</span></p></li><li aria-level="1" dir="ltr" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; list-style-type: disc; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"><p dir="ltr" role="presentation" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Fugitives</span></p></li><li aria-level="1" dir="ltr" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; list-style-type: disc; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"><p dir="ltr" role="presentation" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Convicted domestic abusers and adverse parties in a domestic violence case</span></p></li><li aria-level="1" dir="ltr" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; list-style-type: disc; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"><p dir="ltr" role="presentation" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Convicted addicts to controlled substances</span></p></li><li aria-level="1" dir="ltr" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; list-style-type: disc; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"><p dir="ltr" role="presentation" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Mentally-ill or committed individuals</span></p></li><li aria-level="1" dir="ltr" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; list-style-type: disc; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"><p dir="ltr" role="presentation" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 10pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">illegal aliens</span></p></li></ul><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 10pt; margin-top: 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Penalties include up to six years in prison (four years for mentally-ill individuals and illegal aliens) and a fine of up to $5,000.</span></p><h2 dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 10pt; margin-top: 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-weight: 400; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">NFA Rules</span></h2><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 10pt; margin-top: 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">The National Firearms Act restricts the ownership of fully-automatic guns and assault weapons for civilians. However, guns that fall under this category but have been registered before the 19 May 1986 deadline are grandfathered in, although other rules may apply for their use. Much like the locals, an out-of-state visitor found violating NFA rules can face an automatic felony charge. They can be kept imprisoned for up to ten years, and are expected to pay up to $250,000 in fines.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 10pt; margin-top: 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">People coming to Nevada must understand and follow the rules regarding firearms safety and regulation within the state. Read up on other firearm laws to avoid getting in heat with the law w</span></p><div><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></div></span>Ross C. Goodman, Esq.http://www.blogger.com/profile/07055675400309864460noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5382792233603259794.post-4917645832128585572022-01-11T23:30:00.000-08:002022-01-11T23:30:53.394-08:00Five Factors to Justify Self-Defense in Las Vegas<p> <span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Nevada’s statutes allow citizens to defend themselves if they are threatened by another person, even if they have the chance to escape. The state is one of several others with a </span><a href="https://www.goodmancriminaldefenseattorney.vegas/criminal-defense-blog/why-is-there-no-duty-to-retreat-in-nevadas-self-defense-laws/" style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span style="color: #1155cc; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; text-decoration-line: underline; text-decoration-skip-ink: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">stand-your-ground-with-no-duty-to-retreat law</span></a><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-style: italic; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">, </span><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">which can dismiss a criminal charge so long as the act was committed in legitimate self-defense. However, the defendant must be able to justify it as such; otherwise, they can be convicted as normal.</span></p><span id="docs-internal-guid-35481efb-7fff-1c9c-b6ae-5acd429e8935"><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 10pt; margin-top: 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">There are at least five factors to justify self-defense in Las Vegas. These factors are listed below:</span></p><h2 dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 10pt; margin-top: 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-weight: 400; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">The Defendant Was Not First</span></h2><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 10pt; margin-top: 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Self-defense implies that another party acted first. In this case, an act can be justified as self-defense if the defendant was not the one who initiated hostilities. The defense must prove that the aggressor acted first, either by threatening the defendant and clearly showing intent to do violence, or by immediately attacking the defendant.</span></p><h2 dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 10pt; margin-top: 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-weight: 400; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Immediate Threat</span></h2><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 10pt; margin-top: 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Self-defense implies that there was an imminent threat looming. The defendant must prove that the other party intended to harm or kill them at the time of the act. Without the intent to immediately harm, the defendant may come off instead as being excessively paranoid and acting aggressively without observing the situation first.</span></p><h2 dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 10pt; margin-top: 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-weight: 400; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Right to the Domain</span></h2><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 10pt; margin-top: 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">The defendant must prove that the act was committed in a location where the defendant had the right to act in self-defense. This usually involves their home or workplace. This factor can come into play in situations where the intent to immediately harm is not readily apparent from the assailant. Home and office invasions usually fall under this category.</span></p><h2 dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 10pt; margin-top: 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-weight: 400; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Not Related to a Crime</span></h2><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 10pt; margin-top: 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">The defendant must prove that they were not accosted by the aggressor while the former was committing a different crime. For example, if the aggressor assaulted the defendant while they were in the act of stealing another person’s car, the defendant cannot claim that they were acting in self-defense. Domestic violence and cases and sex crimes can also fall under this category.</span></p><h2 dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 10pt; margin-top: 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-weight: 400; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Proportionate Force</span></h2><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 10pt; margin-top: 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">An act of violence can only count as self-defense if it was proportionate to the aggressor’s initial hostility. The aim must always be to incapacitate the aggressor and promptly remove the threat they pose to the defendant. Going above and beyond that is grounds for a charge of aggravated assault. Should the aggressor die in the attempt, the defendant must prove that the aggressor posed a serious enough threat that deadly force was the only reasonable way to deal with them. Otherwise, the defendant risks facing a homicide or murder charge, depending on the circumstances.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 10pt; margin-top: 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">These factors alone do not determine whether or not an act of self-defense is justified. Nonetheless, they offer a clear picture of how state courts define self-defense. Keep these in mind if you ever end up in such a situation in the future.</span></p><div><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></div></span>Ross C. Goodman, Esq.http://www.blogger.com/profile/07055675400309864460noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5382792233603259794.post-55611233631298755372022-01-07T00:48:00.000-08:002022-01-07T00:48:00.096-08:00When are Juvenile Defendants Tried as Adults in Nevada?<p> <span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; white-space: pre-wrap;">Nevada’s juvenile courts handle most criminal cases involving juvenile defendants. This usually includes charges like DUI, theft, assault, vandalism, breaking and entering, and many other misdemeanors. However, there are instances when the alleged crime is far too severe to be tried in juvenile courts; such cases would then be referred to a regular court for processing.</span></p><span id="docs-internal-guid-013b3574-7fff-2eef-eca9-82dc2d6fbe66"><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 10pt; margin-top: 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Yes, youth offenders can be eligible to face adult charges instead of merely being tried by juvenile judges, and can face criminal penalties like </span><a href="https://www.goodmancriminaldefenseattorney.vegas/criminal-defense-blog/juvenile-offenders-and-life-sentences-in-nevada/" style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span style="color: #1155cc; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; text-decoration-line: underline; text-decoration-skip-ink: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">life with parole</span></a><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">. Such instances often happen under extraordinary circumstances, and can put the juvenile defendant in a tougher legal quagmire than before. Let’s look at how juvenile defendants are tried as adults in Nevada.</span></p><h2 dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 10pt; margin-top: 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-weight: 400; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">The Requirements</span></h2><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 10pt; margin-top: 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">There are several prerequisites that must be in place before a juvenile defendant becomes eligible to be tried in a higher court. For a general overview, however, either of the following is the most commonly cited requirement:</span></p><ol style="margin-bottom: 0; margin-top: 0; padding-inline-start: 48px;"><li aria-level="1" dir="ltr" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; list-style-type: decimal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"><p dir="ltr" role="presentation" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 10pt;"><span style="font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">The child is either 13, 14, or 15, and is facing a murder or attempted murder charge. In this case, the court has discretion to certify the charge as an adult charge.</span></p></li><li aria-level="1" dir="ltr" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; list-style-type: decimal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"><p dir="ltr" role="presentation" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">The minor is at least 14 and is charged with a felony. As with the previous instance, the judge has discretion to certify the charge for adult courts.</span></p></li><li aria-level="1" dir="ltr" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; list-style-type: decimal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"><p dir="ltr" role="presentation" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 10pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">The minor is either 16 or 17, and is involved in a sexual assault or firearm case. Such incidents often lead to a mandatory certification, though the judge can choose not to under specific circumstances.</span></p></li></ol><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 10pt; margin-top: 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Note that clauses exist regarding the child’s mental/developmental competence to understand the charges they are faced with, may have a substance abuse problem, or is facing emotional distress throughout the trial period. Such circumstances can also affect whether or not a juvenile can be certified for an adult hearing.</span></p><h2 dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 10pt; margin-top: 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-weight: 400; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Differentiating between Mandatory and Optional Certification</span></h2><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 10pt; margin-top: 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">While the judge has the final say when certifying a juvenile defendant for adult criminal court, there are still provisions in place that determine how such certifications are carried out.</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 10pt; margin-top: 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Mandatory Certification simply means that the charge must be certified for a criminal court. This means that, unless affected by special circumstances, the juvenile must be transferred to a criminal court to be tried.</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 10pt; margin-top: 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Optional Certification means that the juvenile judge still has the choice to keep the charge within their jurisdiction. As long as the defense has the necessary documents and evidence, the judge can choose to deny certification as they see fit.</span></p><br /><h2 dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 10pt; margin-top: 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-weight: 400; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">The Direct File Issue</span></h2><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 10pt; margin-top: 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">One of the pertinent issues regarding juvenile justice in Nevada is the </span><a href="https://www.nevadacurrent.com/2021/03/19/law-automatically-charging-youths-as-adults-blasted-as-outdated-relic/" style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span style="color: #1155cc; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; text-decoration-line: underline; text-decoration-skip-ink: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">direct file clause</span></a><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">. Under this clause, juvenile defendants facing certain felony charges are automatically tried as adults, without consulting with juvenile courts. The clause first came into effect during the 1990s as part of the strong anti-crime trend that swept the country. In retrospect, the clause instead led to the disproportionate increase of incarcerated black and brown youths.</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Debates remain whether this legislation should be removed or amended. Reformists claims that the direct file clause is an archaic ruling and only affects poorer, non-white youths. Supporters counter that the clause helped streamline the handling of defendants. Time will tell whether the direct file clause will be repealed or amended.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Juvenile defendants must understand that they are liable to face an adult criminal charge if the circumstances are right. Knowing the requirements for a transfer to a higher court can help juvenile defendants better defend themselves and stay in juvenile court.</span></p><br /><br /></span>Ross C. Goodman, Esq.http://www.blogger.com/profile/07055675400309864460noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5382792233603259794.post-14830275974172204182022-01-05T00:38:00.001-08:002022-01-05T00:38:18.682-08:00Why Nevada has No Romeo and Juliet Laws<p> <span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Across many states, </span><a href="https://www.goodmancriminaldefenseattorney.vegas/criminal-defense-blog/what-are-romeo-and-juliet-laws/" style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span style="color: #1155cc; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; text-decoration-line: underline; text-decoration-skip-ink: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Romeo and Juliet laws</span></a><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> are in place to protect minors involved in consensual sexual relationships from facing severe legal consequences in the long run. These affirmative defense actions are meant to keep the minors’ rights as citizens and not take them away at such a young age. </span></p><span id="docs-internal-guid-b8bdab45-7fff-926c-3dd6-ff948bf8b2b4"><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 10pt; margin-top: 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Despite this, some states do not have such clauses related to age of consent. Nevada is one such example. Let’s look at why Nevada does not have Romeo and Juliet laws.</span></p><h2 dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 10pt; margin-top: 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-weight: 400; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Reviewing Statutory Rape</span></h2><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 10pt; margin-top: 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Before we look into that, let’s look at what statutory rape is. In brief, statutory rape refers to any form of sexual misconduct where the victim is below the age of consent. It is understood that the actor must be above the age of consent to be convicted for statutory rape, but circumstances change when Romeo and Juliet laws are concerned.</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 10pt; margin-top: 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">In Nevada, statutory rape is referred to as an act of penetrative sex where the perpetrator is at least above 18 years of age, while the victim is at least 14 or 15 years old (Nevada’s age of consent is 16 years). It is also known in legal documents as statutory sexual seduction. Apart from some particulars regarding names, Nevada’s statutory rape laws are generally the same compared to other states.</span></p><h2 dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 6pt; margin-top: 18pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-weight: 400; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">So Why No Romeo and Juliet Laws?</span></h2><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 10pt; margin-top: 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Nevada is one of the few states where consensual sexual relationships are not illegal. Simply put, as long as both parties consent to the sexual relationship and no coercion is involved, the state cannot prosecute either party for sex crimes.</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 10pt; margin-top: 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">As sexual acts between minors are not criminalized, the state of Nevada does not see the need to implement affirmative defense measures to protect them against sex crime-related prosecution. The state may recognize mutual consent as a sign that pursuing legal action would be wrong.</span></p><h2 dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 10pt; margin-top: 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-weight: 400; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">But Can They Still Be Liable?</span></h2><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 10pt; margin-top: 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Surprisingly, yes. The lack of legal protections via the Romeo and Juliet laws means that both parties can face statutory rape charges as defined in the Nevada Revised Statutes. This situation is very rare, however, and may only happen due to very rare circumstances.</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 10pt; margin-top: 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">In the extremely rare instance that both parties become liable to a statutory rape charge, they can expect the full extent of penalties from the Nevada legal system. This would often mean a possible misdemeanor conviction (the typical penalty for minors who committed sex crimes), but the judge has prerogative to require both parties to register as sex offenders.</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 10pt; margin-top: 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Nevada understands that minors can engage in consexual sexual activity without it constituing abuse. Nonetheless, the state reminds youths that going too far can have legal consequences for themselves in the end.</span></p><div><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></div></span>Ross C. Goodman, Esq.http://www.blogger.com/profile/07055675400309864460noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5382792233603259794.post-42360564156781751462021-12-20T23:43:00.001-08:002021-12-20T23:43:25.832-08:00What is the Tolling Rule for Statutes of Limitations in Nevada?<p> <b id="docs-internal-guid-912a633c-7fff-84ce-7df1-ae4fc9802b83" style="font-weight: normal;"></b></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 10pt; margin-top: 10pt;"><b id="docs-internal-guid-912a633c-7fff-84ce-7df1-ae4fc9802b83" style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; white-space: pre;">The </span><a href="https://www.goodmancriminaldefenseattorney.vegas/criminal-defense-blog/learning-about-the-statute-of-limitations/" style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="-webkit-text-decoration-skip: none; background-color: transparent; color: #1155cc; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration-skip-ink: none; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; white-space: pre;">statute of limitations</span></a><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; white-space: pre;"> provides a legal timeframe within which a wronged party must file a case in court. Failure to do so within this limit can lead to the case being thrown out without appeal at no cost to the defendant. It is also set in effect to ensure that the parties involved receive a swift trial for the case.</span></b></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 10pt; margin-top: 10pt;"><b id="docs-internal-guid-912a633c-7fff-84ce-7df1-ae4fc9802b83" style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; white-space: pre;">This situation does not also apply, however. There are cases where the court can put the statute on hold, depending on the case’s circumstances. This is called the tolling rule, and is an aspect of statutes of limitations that applies to special cases. Let’s learn more about what the tolling rule is for statutes of limitations in Nevada.</span></b></p><h2 dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 10pt; margin-top: 10pt;"><b id="docs-internal-guid-912a633c-7fff-84ce-7df1-ae4fc9802b83" style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 16pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; white-space: pre;">What is the Tolling Rule?</span></b></h2><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 10pt; margin-top: 10pt;"><b id="docs-internal-guid-912a633c-7fff-84ce-7df1-ae4fc9802b83" style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; white-space: pre;">The tolling rule is a legal ruling that allows that court to put a crime’s statute of limitations on hold under certain circumstances. In other words, the countdown to the time limit for filing a case is put on hold for the foreseeable future. The tolling rule is in effect until the court finds sufficient grounds to lift it with concern to the case.</span></b></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 10pt; margin-top: 10pt;"><b id="docs-internal-guid-912a633c-7fff-84ce-7df1-ae4fc9802b83" style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; white-space: pre;">It is important to note that the tolling rule also applies to defendants out-of-state. If the crime is discovered but the defendant cannot be found within state borders, the statute of limitations will not go into effect until either the defendant goes back or is discovered in another state or country. There are instances, however, where the tolling rule does not apply for out-of-state defendants, such as when the plaintiff has alternate ways to serve a legal summons.</span></b></p><h2 dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 10pt; margin-top: 10pt;"><b id="docs-internal-guid-912a633c-7fff-84ce-7df1-ae4fc9802b83" style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 16pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; white-space: pre;">Why is the Tolling Rule Significant?</span></b></h2><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 10pt; margin-top: 10pt;"><b id="docs-internal-guid-912a633c-7fff-84ce-7df1-ae4fc9802b83" style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; white-space: pre;">There are instances where a victim does not realize that they are already the victim of a crime until much too late. It may be that the effects of the crime are not yet apparent, the victim is not fully aware that an act constitutes a crime, or the victim is far too young to understand the situation. On the other hand, the perpetrator may be actively concealing the crime from the public so they can keep doing it.</span></b></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 10pt; margin-top: 10pt;"><b id="docs-internal-guid-912a633c-7fff-84ce-7df1-ae4fc9802b83" style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; white-space: pre;">The tolling rule applies in such cases to ensure that the victim can still receive justice long after the crime was first committed. It prevents the victim from further being taken advantage of, and allows them to file a case as soon as they discover the crime. It also ensures that the statutes will not be in effect until the victim has probable cause to file a claim (for example, visible injuries or damages).</span></b></p><h2 dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 10pt; margin-top: 10pt;"><b id="docs-internal-guid-912a633c-7fff-84ce-7df1-ae4fc9802b83" style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 16pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; white-space: pre;">The Tolling Rule and Children</span></b></h2><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 10pt; margin-top: 10pt;"><b id="docs-internal-guid-912a633c-7fff-84ce-7df1-ae4fc9802b83" style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; white-space: pre;">Children are very vulnerable to exploitation and crime because they lack the reasoning and judgment to determine if a person is good or bad. This innocence means that victims only find out about these crimes far too late.</span></b></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 10pt; margin-top: 10pt;"><b id="docs-internal-guid-912a633c-7fff-84ce-7df1-ae4fc9802b83" style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; white-space: pre;">As a general rule, the statute of limitations for crimes involving minors are tolled until they reach 18 years of age. This rule generally applies to sexual abuse and trafficking case, however. For other crimes, the tolling rule will only apply if the effects are not immediately apparent. Otherwise, the regular statutes of limitations will automatically come into effect.</span></b></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 10pt; margin-top: 10pt;"><b id="docs-internal-guid-912a633c-7fff-84ce-7df1-ae4fc9802b83" style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; white-space: pre;">Nevada’s tolling rule is an important counterbalance for the statute of limitations to ensure that the parties involved are not affected by unexpected time constraints. This is just one of many aspects of the criminal justice system that ensures that the right to a fair trial is strictly enforced.</span></b></p><br class="Apple-interchange-newline" /><p></p>Ross C. Goodman, Esq.http://www.blogger.com/profile/07055675400309864460noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5382792233603259794.post-16995015197334732172021-06-07T00:49:00.003-07:002021-06-07T00:49:00.187-07:00How a Litigation Is Considered Frivolous<p>Courts throughout the country handle scores of cases on a regular day, ranging from routine charges to landmark hearings. However, there are instances that the court receives a litigation that is so out-of-depth that it wastes the court's time and resources. These instances refer to a <a href="https://www.goodmancriminaldefenseattorney.vegas/criminal-defense-blog/what-is-a-frivolous-lawsuit-in-las-vegas/">frivolous litigation</a>, a kind of lawsuit, charge, or claim that lacks legal merit but is nonetheless submitted to the court for consideration.</p><p>There are many factors to help courts identify when a litigation is frivolous. A number of the most prominent ones are listed below.</p><h3 style="text-align: left;">Legal Fantasies</h3><p style="text-align: left;">The first and most prominent factor for a frivolous claim is the lack of legal grounds to support the claim. This could either be due to the improper interpretation of a particular law, the citation of an outdated or unadopted law or amendment, or plain ignorance of established legal statutes. In extreme cases, the litigant adopts an absurd method of interpreting the law in the belief that it shields them from the effects of said law. Methods like specific capitalization, selective reading of court opinions on similar cases, and outright rejection of state and federal institutions as illegitimate are commonplace for frivolous litigants.</p><h3 style="text-align: left;">Outrageous Motions<br /></h3><p style="text-align: left;">These kinds of frivolous cases not only lack any legal merit but fly in the face of fact and common sense. Such kinds of litigation range from filing motions that are not recognized in any competent court of law, utilizing excess legal jargon even in the improper context, requesting extreme remedies for relatively minor crimes, or suing another party based on trivial, unrelated, or imagined matters. For example, a case where a customer sues a restaurant for failing to live up to a 'satisfaction guaranteed' motto and asking millions of dollars in damages payment can be considered frivolous due to the excess damages and the trivial 'offense' incurred.<br /></p><h3 style="text-align: left;">Bad Faith</h3><p style="text-align: left;">Some frivolous motions are not filed for their own merits. Often, there are frivolous lawsuits filed that are intentionally detrimental to another party, or to the court itself. These so-called 'bad faith' lawsuits aim to harass or embarrass the other party into cowering to their demands or leaving them be to pursue their unlawful actions. In many cases, bad faith lawsuits are filed to shut down the operations of the court or other government entity via a series of false and frivolous claims. Common bad faith litigants include tax protestors and anti-government entities who do not recognize state and Federal institutions and who only respect county-level law. Because of how such frivolous claims clog up the legal system and operational capability of government institutions, such actions are often called collectively as paper terrorism.</p><p style="text-align: left;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: left;">People should not take frivolous litigation lightly, even if most of the time they end up to be absurd and inconsequential. Conversely, don't let yourself become enjoined to a legal action that will end up being frivolous in the end. Always consult with a <a href="https://www.goodmancriminaldefenseattorney.vegas/">competent criminal defense lawyer</a> before making any filings in court.<br /></p>Ross C. Goodman, Esq.http://www.blogger.com/profile/07055675400309864460noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5382792233603259794.post-19350293473863501792021-05-30T21:37:00.049-07:002021-05-31T00:34:00.826-07:00Top Five States with Recorded DUI Cases in Early 2021<p>More people are back on the road again thanks to improved healthcare initiatives to deal with the pandemic. While this means a slow return to regular traffic increasing to pre-pandemic levels, it also hints at a return to pre-pandemic DUI statistics. Recent reports even indicate that <a href="https://www.goodmancriminaldefenseattorney.vegas/criminal-defense/dui/">DUI cases in Las Vegas</a> are already spiking up to its old figures in the past few months. What's equally interesting is that the <a href="https://www.nhtsa.gov/sites/nhtsa.gov/files/documents/traffic_safety_during_covid19_01062021_0.pdf">national average for drunk driving cases was actually higher towards the last quarter</a> of the year.<br /></p><p>Despite the reports, you'd be surprised to know that Nevada isn't among the top states with a recorded increase in DUI cases in the past few months. Listed below are five states with higher DUI cases recorded in early 2021.</p><h3 style="text-align: left;">South Dakota</h3><p style="text-align: left;">The Mount Rushmore State is reported to have DUI cases with 3.87% of all its registered drivers. According to state and national officials, that is one-and-a-half times higher than the national average for inebriated drivers over the past year. On a more grim note, South Dakotan drunk drivers accounted for 16% more DUI-related fatalities than the national average. Little wonder that the state is among the highest-rated when it comes to DUI for two straight years.</p><h3 style="text-align: left;">Minnesota</h3><p style="text-align: left;">With a 44%-above-average DUI case rating, the North Star State is considered fourth overall for drunk driving bookings for the first quarter of the year. In a surprising contrast, fewer Minnesotans suffer life-threatening injuries or outright death when they get involved in a DUI collision, a marked contrast to South Dakota. The higher penalties for inebriated driving may be a factor for this difference.</p><h3 style="text-align: left;">Wisconsin</h3><p style="text-align: left;">Wisconsin is also another consecutive top placer like South Dakota, and even shares Minnesota's 44%-above-average rating for DUI cases. It has around 3.79% getting booked for drunk driving over the past few months. Even worse for its standing is that it has an even higher DUI-related fatality rate than South Dakota.</p><h3 style="text-align: left;">Wyoming</h3><p style="text-align: left;">Despite having one the lowest population densities across the country, the Cowboy State still trumps the others when it comes to drunk driving cases during the latter half of 2020 and the early parts of 2021. A whopping 4.6% of all its registered drivers has at least one DUI booking, a significant ramp up from the next highest. It sits at 54% above the national average when it comes to drunk driving.</p><h3 style="text-align: left;">North Dakota</h3><p style="text-align: left;">Contrary to its reputation as the Peace Garden State, North Dakota tops the list of states with the highest DUI cases in early 2021. Sitting at 4.9% of all drivers registered in the state, it is 57% higher than the national average for all kinds of DUI. Like most of the top states on this list, North Dakota holds its spot for the second year in a row. In a unique subversion, the state only has an average fatality rating for DUI collisions that is on par with the national average.</p><p></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p>The Pandemic may not have had a major effect on the DUI cases in these states, but this should stand to remind you about how determined state governments are in convicting drunk drivers. If you ever end up a similar drunk driving case in Las Vegas, remember that there is a <a href="https://www.goodmancriminaldefenseattorney.vegas/">veteran criminal defense attorney</a> that you can rely on to represent you. <br /></p>Ross C. Goodman, Esq.http://www.blogger.com/profile/07055675400309864460noreply@blogger.com