Hello, parents. My name is Michael Gowdey.
I have been a lawyer for over 30 years right here in Nevada. My team and I have won awards, but the most important thing we do is help families when their world turns upside down. We represent good people in Las Vegas, Henderson, and North Las Vegas.
There is no phone call more terrifying than the one from the police station saying, “We have your son” or “We have your daughter.”
Your heart stops. You feel sick. You feel angry.
You might think, “It’s just a kid thing. The judge will go easy on them.” Please, let me stop you right there.
The juvenile system in Clark County is not just a “timeout.” It is a serious legal system. One mistake here can follow your child for the rest of their life. It can stop them from getting into college. It can stop them from joining the military.
I wrote this guide to help you. I want to explain how the system works in plain English. No big lawyer words. Just the truth from someone who has been there hundreds of times.
Key Takeaways
- It’s Not “Guilty” or “Not Guilty”: In juvenile court, we use different words. Kids are “adjudicated delinquent,” not convicted of crimes. But the consequences are very real.
- The “Adult” Trap: If your child is 14 or older and commits a serious crime, the prosecutor can try to move them to adult court. This is the biggest danger.
- School Trouble is Separate: Being kicked out of school (expulsion) is a totally different fight than the court case. You often have to fight both at the same time.
- Records Don’t Vanish: There is a myth that your record deletes itself when you turn 18. This is not true. You must ask the court to seal it.
- We Can Help: We can often negotiate for “informal supervision” so your child doesn’t even have to go to court.
How Is Juvenile Court Different from Adult Court in Nevada?
First, you need to know that Juvenile Court is its own world. The goal of adult court is punishment. The goal of juvenile court is rehabilitation (fixing the behavior).
Because the goals are different, the words are different.
- Adults get “Arrested.” Juveniles get “Taken into Custody.”
- Adults are “Charged with a Crime.” Juveniles are charged with a “Delinquent Act.”
- Adults have a “Trial.” Juveniles have an “Adjudicatory Hearing.”
- Adults get a “Sentence.” Juveniles get a “Disposition.”
Why does this matter? Because juveniles usually do not have the right to a jury trial. A judge decides everything. This means you need a lawyer who knows the judges in Clark County personally. You need someone the judge trusts.
What Are the Most Common Juvenile Crimes in Las Vegas?
We see all kinds of cases. Kids make mistakes. Sometimes they hang out with the wrong crowd. Sometimes they are just in the wrong place at the wrong time.
Here are the most common reasons kids get arrested in our area:
- Fighting: This is often charged as Battery or Assault. If a fight happens at school, the police are almost always called.
- Shoplifting: Taking makeup, clothes, or electronics from stores. This is Petit Larceny.
- Drugs: Possession of marijuana or pills. Even though weed is legal for adults in Nevada, it is illegal for anyone under 21.
- Graffiti: In Las Vegas, authorities take tagging very seriously. This is Malicious Destruction of Property.
- Status Offenses: These are things that are only illegal because of the child’s age, like Truancy (skipping school) or Curfew violations.
A Stat Few People Talk About: Did you know that in Nevada, if a child is found with a firearm at school, it isn’t just a juvenile case? State law allows prosecutors to certify children as adults much easier for gun crimes. According to national data, youth arrests for violent crimes have spiked in some years, leading prosecutors to be tougher. In Clark County, they are not afraid to push for harsh penalties if they think it will “send a message.”
What Happens After My Child Is Arrested?
This is the part that confuses everyone. Here is the timeline of a typical case in Las Vegas.
1. The Detention Center (Juvenile Hall)
If the police think your child is a risk, they will take them to the Clark County Juvenile Detention Center on Pecos Road. They will do a “Risk Assessment.” They score your child based on things like:
- Have they been in trouble before?
- Is there a parent willing to take them home?
- Was a weapon involved?
Pro Tip: If you get a call from a Probation Officer asking questions, be careful. You want to show you are a responsible parent, but you do not want your child to admit to the crime over the phone!
2. The Detention Hearing
If your child is kept in custody, they must see a judge quickly (usually within 72 hours). At this hearing, the judge decides: Do they stay in jail, or do they go home? We fight hard here. We want your child home with you, not sleeping in a cell.
3. The Plea Hearing
This is where your child admits or denies the charges. Never let your child admit to anything without a lawyer. Once they admit it, it is over. The judge can punish them however they see fit.
4. The Disposition (Sentencing)
If the judge finds the child committed the act, they decide the punishment. This could be:
- Probation (meeting with an officer).
- Community Service.
- Restitution (paying money to the victim).
- Spring Mountain Youth Camp: A live-in camp for boys in the mountains.
- DCFS Commitment: Sending the child to a state youth prison.
The Danger Zone: Can My Child Be Tried as an Adult?
This is the nightmare scenario. We call it Certification.
If the crime is serious enough—like Murder, Sexual Assault, or Robbery with a Gun—the prosecutor can ask the judge to move the case to Adult Court.
The Magic Number is 14. In Nevada, if a child is 14 years or older and charged with a felony, the state can try to certify them as an adult (NRS 62B.390).
If this happens:
- They face adult prison time.
- They get a permanent adult felony record.
- They are housed with older, more dangerous criminals.
This is why you need an experienced Juvenile Criminal Defense Lawyer. We fight the certification hearing. We bring in psychologists. We show the judge that your child is a good kid who can be saved, not a criminal who needs to be thrown away.
Can We Fix This Without Going to Court?
Yes! This is one of the best secrets of the juvenile system. It is called Informal Supervision.
If it is a first offense and the crime isn’t violent, we can often talk to the Probation Department before charges are even filed.
We propose a deal: “My client will do 20 hours of community service, write an apology letter, and keep his grades up. In exchange, you don’t file the case.”
If they agree, and your child completes the tasks, the case disappears. No court record. No judge. But you have to ask for this. You have to know who to ask. That is where our 30 years of experience comes in.
Internal Link: Learn about our Criminal Defense services here
School Expulsion vs. Juvenile Court
Parents often think that if the school handles it, the police won’t. Or vice versa. Wrong.
If your child gets into a fight at school:
- The school will try to Expel them.
- The police will try to Prosecute them.
These are two separate battles. We help with both. We represent families in Family Law cases, so we understand the rights of parents. We can attend the school disciplinary hearing with you. We can make sure the school followed the rules before they kick your child out.
A Stat on Schools: Studies show that the “School-to-Prison Pipeline” is real. Students who are expelled are 3 times more likely to end up in the juvenile justice system the following year. Keeping your child in school is one of the best ways to keep them out of jail.
Does a Juvenile Record Go Away When They Turn 18?
This is the biggest lie people believe. They think, “On my 18th birthday, my slate is wiped clean!”
No. It is not.
In Nevada, your juvenile record stays there until you petition the court to Seal it.
- For most crimes, you have to wait until you are 21 years old.
- For some serious crimes, you have to wait until you are 30 years old.
Until it is sealed, that record can hurt you.
- The Military: The Army and Marines look at sealed juvenile records.
- Financial Aid: Drug convictions can stop you from getting college loans.
- Background Checks: Some government jobs can still see it.
We help young adults seal their records. We want you to start your adult life with zero baggage.
Why Choose The Law Offices of Michael I. Gowdey, Ltd.?
You have a lot of choices. Why pick us?
- We Are Parents Too: We understand the fear you are feeling. We don’t judge you or your parenting.
- 30+ Years Experience: We know the difference between a kid being a kid and a kid being a criminal. We know how to explain that difference to a judge.
- Local Knowledge: We know the prosecutors in Las Vegas and Henderson. We know which ones are reasonable and which ones want a fight.
- Full Service: If this arrest triggers a custody issue with your ex-spouse, we handle Family Law too. We cover all the bases.
We are highly rated because we tell the truth. We don’t promise magic. We promise hard work and a strategy to protect your child’s future.
Internal Link: Contact us for a consultation today
Key Takeaways
- Act Fast: The first 24 hours after an arrest are critical. Call a lawyer before your child talks to the probation officer.
- Informal is Best: Our goal is always to keep the case out of court through Informal Supervision if possible.
- Certification is the Enemy: We fight tooth and nail to keep children out of the adult system.
- Don’t Ignore School: Fighting the expulsion is just as important as fighting the criminal charge.
- Seal the Record: Do not forget to seal the record when your child turns 21.
10 Common Questions Asked to Lawyers in Las Vegas About Juvenile Defense
- Can I be in the room when the police question my child? Yes! In fact, you should be. You should tell the police, “My child will not answer questions without a lawyer.” Do not let them pressure your child into a confession.
- Will my child go to “Juvie” for a first offense? Usually, no. Unless the crime was violent or involved a gun, judges prefer to send kids home with their parents. However, they may be put on house arrest (electronic monitoring).
- Am I financially responsible for my child’s crime? Yes. In Nevada, parents can be held liable for damages caused by their children’s “willful misconduct.” If your child vandalizes a school, you could get the bill for thousands of dollars.
- What is a “Status Offense”? A status offense is something that is only illegal because of age. Examples are curfew violations, running away from home, or truancy (skipping school). Adults cannot be arrested for these things.
- Can my child be bailed out of Juvenile Hall? No. The juvenile system does not use cash bail. The judge decides release based on safety and risk, not money.
- Does a juvenile adjudication count as a “Strike”? It can. If a juvenile is adjudicated for a serious felony, it could potentially be used to enhance punishment if they get in trouble again as an adult.
- Can the school search my child’s locker? Yes. Students have fewer privacy rights at school. If the school has “reasonable suspicion” (like a tip that there are drugs), they can search the locker or backpack without a warrant.
- What happens if my child fails a drug test on probation? This is a “Technical Violation.” The probation officer can arrest them and put them in Juvenile Hall for a few days to “get their attention.” Repeated failures can lead to longer detention or rehab programs.
- Can we appeal a juvenile judge’s decision? Yes, but it is rare. It is much better to fight the case correctly the first time than to try to fix it later with an appeal.
- How much does a juvenile lawyer cost? It depends on the case. A simple shoplifting case is less than a complex certification hearing for a violent crime. But remember: a criminal record can cost your child future earnings for the rest of their life. Legal defense is an investment in their future.
We Are Here to Fight for Your Family
If your child is in trouble, do not wait. The system moves fast. Call The Law Offices of Michael I. Gowdey, Ltd. today. Let us stand between your child and the state.
Visit us at https://gowdeylaw.com/
Sources:
- Nevada Revised Statutes (NRS) Title 5 – Juvenile Justice.
- Clark County Department of Juvenile Justice Services (Annual Reports).
- Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention (OJJDP).
- American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) of Nevada – School to Prison Pipeline Data.
Disclaimer: This blog post is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Reading this does not create an attorney-client relationship. Past results do not guarantee future outcomes.