One mistake should not define a lifetime. Here is everything parents need to know about Nevada’s juvenile court system, the very real risk of adult certification, and how to fight for your child’s future starting today.
The phone call no parent ever wants to get came. Maybe it was the school. Maybe it was a police officer standing at your front door. Maybe you are sitting in the waiting area of the Clark County Juvenile Detention Center on North Pecos Road right now, staring at your phone trying to figure out what to do next.
First: breathe. Your child’s life is not over. One arrest does not have to mean a ruined future. But what happens in the next few days — and who is in your corner — matters enormously.
Nevada’s juvenile justice system is complicated. It is not the same as adult court, but it is not a slap on the wrist either. There are real consequences, real records, and real decisions being made right now that will affect your child’s ability to get into college, get a job, join the military, and build a life. And in some cases — more often than most parents realize — Nevada prosecutors have the power to move a juvenile case into adult court, where an adult criminal record and adult prison time become possible outcomes.
You need information. You need it now. And after more than 30 years defending people in Nevada courts — including families facing exactly this situation in Las Vegas, Henderson, and North Las Vegas — The Law Offices of Michael I. Gowdey, LTD knows this terrain inside and out.
Let’s walk through it together, step by step.
What Every Parent Needs to Know Before Anything Else
- In 2024, 9,307 juvenile referrals were made to Clark County’s Department of Juvenile Justice Services — and 3,244 of those were filed as formal cases by the District Attorney’s office.
- Juvenile court is not the same as adult court. It focuses more on rehabilitation — but the consequences are still very real and can follow your child for years.
- A child as young as 13 can be tried as an adult in Nevada for murder or attempted murder. At 14, they can be certified as an adult for any felony offense.
- In 2024, 14 distinct youth in Clark County were filed directly into the adult court system — bypassing juvenile court entirely.
- Most juvenile records in Nevada are automatically sealed when a child turns 21 — but serious offenses can push that age to 30, and some records can follow your child even further.
- Once a record is properly sealed under NRS 62H, your child can legally say the arrest never happened — on job applications, college forms, and housing applications.
- The most common arrest type for Nevada juveniles involves deadly weapons — including possession and use during a crime.
- Clark County’s diversion program (The Harbor) has kept 83% of referred youth out of formal court proceedings within three years of intake.
- An experienced juvenile defense attorney can mean the difference between diversion and detention — between a sealed record and a felony conviction.
9,307
Juvenile referrals to Clark County DJJS in 2024
81%
Of LVMPD juvenile arrests in 2023 were for violent crimes
1,506
Youth placed on formal probation in Clark County in 2024
Age 13
Minimum age for adult court transfer for murder in Nevada
What Happens When a Juvenile Is Arrested in Nevada?
The first few hours after an arrest move fast, and the process is confusing if you have never been through it before. Here is exactly what typically happens when a minor is taken into custody in Las Vegas or anywhere in Clark County.
When a police officer takes your child into custody, they have three general options for what comes next. They can release the child to a parent or guardian with a citation or warning. They can refer the child to a diversion program rather than filing formal charges. Or they can book the child into the Clark County Juvenile Detention Center at 651 North Pecos Road in Las Vegas.
If your child is booked into juvenile detention, a Risk Assessment Instrument (RAI) is used to score the risk level of the case. A high-risk score means the child stays in custody pending a Detention Review Hearing, which happens the next business day. A lower-risk score may mean release to a parent with conditions.
One Thing to Do Immediately
Tell your child, clearly and calmly, to say nothing to law enforcement beyond their name. Not because they are guilty — but because statements made under stress to police officers, without an attorney present, are routinely used to complicate cases. Your child has a constitutional right to remain silent. Use it. Then call an attorney.
The Role of The Harbor Diversion Center in Clark County
Here is something genuinely worth knowing that most families never hear about until it is too late to use it. Clark County has a juvenile assessment program called The Harbor, with multiple locations throughout the county. When a minor is arrested on a misdemeanor charge, they may be brought to The Harbor instead of directly to formal court proceedings.
At The Harbor, youth and their families are assessed, connected with services, and given 60 days of case management support. The results are striking: according to The Sentencing Project, only 17% of youth referred to The Harbor on delinquency charges were charged in juvenile court within three years of their assessment. That is a meaningful off-ramp from the formal court system — but it has to be navigated correctly.
An experienced attorney can advocate for a diversion outcome rather than formal prosecution — especially for first-time offenders or lower-level charges. That advocacy starts immediately after arrest, not weeks later.
The Juvenile Justice Process in Clark County — Step by Step
1 Arrest and Initial Custody Determination
Officer takes child into custody. A Risk Assessment Instrument (RAI) scores the case. Child is either released to a parent, referred to diversion, or booked into the Clark County Juvenile Detention Center at 651 N. Pecos Rd., Las Vegas.
2 Detention Review Hearing (Next Business Day if Detained)
If detained, a hearing happens the next business day. The juvenile court judge decides whether your child remains in custody or is released with conditions. This is one of the most important early moments — having an attorney present here matters significantly.
3 Referral to District Attorney or Diversion
The case goes to the Clark County District Attorney’s office. The DA decides whether to file formal charges, refer to a diversion program, or take no action. In 2024, 3,244 cases were formally filed out of 9,307 total referrals — meaning a significant portion are resolved without formal prosecution.
4 Certification Hearing (For Serious Charges)
For felony charges, the DA can request that your child be certified as an adult. If the judge grants this, the case moves to adult criminal court. This is the most dangerous turning point in the entire process. An experienced attorney is absolutely essential here.
5 Adjudication and Disposition
If formal charges proceed in juvenile court, there is an adjudication hearing (like a trial, but without a jury). If the charge is sustained, the judge enters a disposition — which may include probation, community service, counseling, placement, or commitment to a state facility.
6 Record Sealing
After the case closes and conditions are met, eligible records can be sealed. Once sealed, your child can legally say the arrest never happened. Most records seal automatically at age 21 — but for serious offenses, that window can be pushed to age 30.
Can a Juvenile Be Charged as an Adult in Nevada?
Yes. And this is the part that most parents are completely unprepared for when they first encounter the juvenile justice system.
Nevada law — specifically NRS 62B.390 — gives prosecutors and courts the power to move a juvenile case into adult court through a process called “certification.” When that happens, the protections of the juvenile system disappear. Your child faces adult charges, adult criminal penalties, adult prison time, and a permanent adult criminal record.
In 2024, 14 distinct youth in Clark County were filed directly with the adult court system — meaning their cases bypassed juvenile court entirely and went straight to criminal proceedings. And statewide, in 2021, 61 juveniles were certified as adults across Nevada.
Here is how it works:
Discretionary Certification — The Court Decides
Under NRS 62B.390(1), the juvenile court may certify a child as an adult if the child is charged with an offense that would be a felony if committed by an adult — and was 14 years of age or older at the time of the alleged offense. The word “may” matters here: the judge has discretion, and an experienced attorney can argue against certification by presenting evidence of rehabilitation potential, family stability, and other mitigating factors.
Presumptive Certification — The Burden Shifts to Your Child
For more serious offenses, the law flips the burden. The court shall certify the child as an adult unless the defense can show that keeping the case in juvenile court would be in the best interests of the child and the public. These are cases involving murder, sexual assault with force or violence, and certain firearm-related felonies. This is the hardest category to defend in, and having a seasoned attorney is not optional — it is survival.
Direct Filing — Straight to Adult Court
For the most serious offenses, there is no certification hearing at all. If a minor aged 16 or 17 is charged with murder, attempted murder, sexual assault involving substantial bodily harm, or certain firearm-related felonies, the case is filed directly in adult criminal court. No juvenile court process. No diversion opportunity. Your child is treated as an adult from the moment of arrest.
If Your Child Is Facing Felony Charges — Act Now
The window to fight an adult certification is narrow. Evidence must be gathered, experts may need to be consulted, and arguments about rehabilitation potential must be built and presented before the certification hearing. Every day that passes without experienced legal representation is a day that cannot be recovered.
What Is the Difference Between Juvenile Court and Adult Court in Nevada?
This matters enormously, and the differences are more significant than most people realize. The table below breaks it down clearly.
| Feature | Juvenile Court (Family Court) | Adult Criminal Court |
|---|---|---|
| Age of jurisdiction | Under 18 | 18 and older (or certified juvenile) |
| Primary goal | Rehabilitation and treatment | Punishment, deterrence, public safety |
| Right to jury trial | No — judge decides | Yes — constitutional right |
| Hearings open to public? | Generally closed / confidential | Generally open to public |
| Record confidentiality | Protected — generally confidential | Public record |
| Record sealing | Possible — often automatic at age 21 | More restrictive; some crimes never seal |
| Typical outcomes | Probation, counseling, community service, diversion | Fines, incarceration, felony conviction |
| Conviction stays with child? | Often sealable — can be denied | Permanent — follows them for life |
| Possible prison sentence? | State juvenile facility (SMYC) in serious cases | Adult Nevada State Prison |
| Diversion available? | Yes — significant diversion infrastructure in Clark County | Limited — depends on charge and DA discretion |
The juvenile system in Nevada was genuinely built around the idea that young people can change — that a mistake at 15 should not define someone at 35. But that protective framework does not operate automatically. It has to be fought for, case by case, hearing by hearing. The system will not advocate for your child. That is your attorney’s job.
What Are the Most Common Juvenile Offenses in Las Vegas and Clark County?
Understanding what your child is actually charged with — and how common it is — matters for figuring out what your options are.
Nevada’s juvenile justice data paints a clear picture. According to the Nevada Division of Child and Family Services, the most common arrest type for juveniles involves deadly weapons — both possession and use during a crime. Probation and parole violations are the most common re-arrest type. And disturbingly, LVMPD data shows that 81% of juvenile arrests made by Metro Police in 2023 were for violent crimes — compared to 53–60% in the period between 2013 and 2020. Total arrests are down, but the cases that remain are more serious.
In Clark County’s school system, the numbers are equally sobering. During the 2023–2024 school year, 62 students were arrested and 383 received criminal citations for assault and battery, while 21 were arrested and 389 were cited for fighting. These numbers have been trending upward since 2022.
Among the most common juvenile charges in Clark County courts are:
- Assault and battery (including school-related incidents)
- Theft and shoplifting
- Possession of marijuana or controlled substances
- Weapons charges — including possession of a firearm by a minor
- Burglary and trespassing
- Vandalism and graffiti
- Robbery and strong-arm robbery
- Joyriding (unauthorized use of a vehicle)
- Gang-related offenses
- Violations of probation conditions
In 2023, Metro Police noted that 25 juvenile suspects were involved in 11 murder cases, with seven having gang affiliations and eight cases involving firearms. That led directly to the creation of a new juvenile gang task force partnered with the Clark County School District Police and the DA’s office.
A Word About School-Related Arrests
A juvenile charge that originates on school property carries extra weight in Clark County. Many CCSD schools have zero-tolerance policies for drug offenses and weapons charges, meaning an arrest can also trigger a school expulsion proceeding that runs parallel to the legal case. These two tracks — criminal and disciplinary — need to be managed simultaneously by experienced counsel.
What Are the Long-Term Consequences of a Juvenile Conviction in Nevada?
This is the question that keeps parents up at night, and it deserves a direct, honest answer.
Even within the juvenile system — which was designed with rehabilitation in mind — an adjudication can have real-world consequences that extend well beyond the courtroom. Here is what families need to understand:
College Admissions and Financial Aid
Many college and university applications ask about criminal history. A juvenile record that has not been sealed can show up in background checks. Beyond admissions, certain drug-related juvenile convictions can affect eligibility for federal financial aid (FAFSA). An unsealed juvenile record can close doors to educational opportunities that cannot be reopened.
Military Enlistment
The military conducts thorough background investigations. Juvenile adjudications — even ones that have been sealed — may need to be disclosed during the military enlistment process, depending on the branch and the nature of the offense. A serious juvenile felony can make enlistment difficult or impossible.
Employment
Private employers routinely run background checks. An unsealed juvenile record can appear and cause an applicant to be passed over. Once a record is properly sealed under NRS 62H, however, your child can legally answer “no” when an employer asks if they have been arrested. That legal protection is enormous for a young person trying to build a career.
Professional Licensing
Certain professional licenses in Nevada — in healthcare, law, teaching, finance, and gaming — require applicants to disclose criminal history. Gaming licenses in particular are among the most scrutinized in the state. A juvenile record, sealed or not, can complicate these processes depending on the offense.
Immigration
If your child is not a U.S. citizen, a juvenile adjudication — especially for a violent offense or drug crime — can have serious immigration consequences, including potential deportation proceedings. This intersection of juvenile law and immigration law is a specialized area where experienced legal guidance is critical.
Housing Applications
Landlords and property management companies run background checks. Unsealed records can prevent a young adult from renting their first apartment. This practical, everyday consequence is one families often do not think about until it is directly in front of them.
How Do I Get My Child’s Juvenile Record Sealed in Nevada?
This is one of the most powerful tools available to families in Nevada — and it is one that too many people do not take full advantage of.
Under NRS Chapter 62H, Nevada law provides a process for sealing juvenile records. Once sealed, the proceedings are legally treated as though they never occurred. Your child can honestly, legally say on any form — job application, college application, apartment rental, military enlistment — that they were never arrested. It is one of the most meaningful second-chance mechanisms in the entire legal system.
Nevada Juvenile Record Sealing — At a Glance
| Situation | When Records Can Be Sealed | What Happens |
|---|---|---|
| Most juvenile offenses | Automatically at age 21 (NRS 62H.140) | Sealed automatically — no petition needed in most cases |
| Petition while under 21 | 3+ years after last court contact and last offense (NRS 62H.130) | Court evaluates rehabilitation; can be sealed early if criteria met |
| Serious violent/sexual offenses not sealed by 21 | Not until age 30 (NRS 62H.150) | Must petition after turning 30; court evaluates conduct since age 21 |
| After sealing (NRS 62H.170) | N/A — immediately upon sealing | Proceedings legally deemed “never to have occurred.” Child can deny the arrest ever happened. |
| Expungement (physical destruction) | Available for certain minor acts (NRS 62H.180) | Records physically destroyed — even stronger than sealing |
The key limitation to understand is this: the automatic sealing at age 21 does not apply to serious violent offenses, sexual offenses, and certain other categories listed in NRS 62H.150. If those records are not sealed before the child turns 21, they cannot be sealed until the person turns 30 — and even then, only after a petition and court review showing a long period of law-abiding behavior.
This is exactly why early intervention matters so much. The outcome of the original case — whether a charge is dismissed, diverted, reduced, or adjudicated — has a direct impact on when and whether the record can ever be sealed. A good outcome at the front end of the case creates better options at every stage afterward.
The Legal Fresh Start
Once a Nevada juvenile record is sealed under NRS 62H.170, your child can legally answer “No” when anyone asks whether they have ever been arrested. This is not a technicality — it is a genuine legal right that has to be fought for and earned. Attorney Gowdey’s office has helped families navigate this process for over 30 years. Visit gowdeylaw.com/sealing-juvenile-records for more on this process.
Why Do Families in Las Vegas, Henderson, and North Las Vegas Turn to Michael I. Gowdey?
When it is your child sitting in that courtroom, you do not want a lawyer who is learning as they go. You want someone who has been there hundreds of times before. Someone who knows the Family Court judges in Clark County. Someone who has sat across the table from the District Attorney’s office in juvenile certification hearings and won. Someone who understands that this is not just a case — it is your child’s life.
That is what the Law Offices of Michael I. Gowdey, LTD brings to every juvenile case:
- Over 30 years of experience in Nevada courts — including juvenile defense, criminal defense, and family law matters that intersect with juvenile cases
- Multiple awards for legal excellence in criminal defense representation in the Las Vegas area
- Local knowledge of the Clark County court system — including the Family Court Division, the District Attorney’s juvenile unit, and the Eighth Judicial District Court
- A track record in record sealing — Attorney Gowdey’s firm literally has a dedicated page on juvenile record sealing because this is a real, documented service they have helped families access
- Comprehensive representation — if your child’s case has family law implications (custody, child protective services involvement) or a related personal injury component, this firm handles it all
- Empathy and heart — representing the accused with compassion, not just paperwork. Because the accused is someone’s child. Always.
MG
Attorney Michael I. Gowdey — Fighting for Nevada Families for Over 30 Years
At The Law Offices of Michael I. Gowdey, LTD, the belief is simple: every client deserves clarity, compassion, and a champion in their corner. That is especially true when the client is a young person whose entire future is on the line. From the very first hearing to the final record sealing, this firm stands with families in Las Vegas, Henderson, North Las Vegas, and throughout Nevada — fighting with strategy, counseling with empathy, and working to restore what matters most: a future worth building.
Multiple awards. Three decades of Nevada court experience. Justice with integrity. Representation with heart.
Schedule a Free Consultation Today →
Top 10 Questions Parents Ask Juvenile Defense Lawyers in Nevada
1. What happens the first night my child is arrested and taken to juvenile detention in Las Vegas?
Your child will be booked at the Clark County Juvenile Detention Center at 651 N. Pecos Road. A Risk Assessment Instrument scores the case — a high score means they stay in custody until a Detention Review Hearing the next business day. That hearing determines whether they are released to you or remain in custody with conditions. Unlike adult jail, juveniles cannot be released on bail. The facility does not accept incoming calls, but your child may be able to call you. A lawyer can appear at that next-day hearing and advocate for release — this is one of the most impactful early moves an attorney can make.
2. Can my child be tried as an adult in Nevada?
Yes. Under NRS 62B.390, a child as young as 13 can be certified as an adult for murder or attempted murder. At 14, any felony charge can trigger an adult certification proceeding. For certain very serious offenses involving juveniles aged 16 or 17, the case is filed directly in adult court with no certification hearing at all. In 2024, 14 Clark County youth were filed directly with the adult court. An experienced defense attorney can fight certification at the hearing stage by arguing rehabilitation potential, family support, and the appropriateness of juvenile court resources.
3. Will my child have a criminal record after a juvenile case in Nevada?
Not necessarily a public one. Juvenile records in Nevada are generally confidential — not open to the public the way adult records are. Most juvenile records seal automatically when the child turns 21 under NRS 62H.140. However, for certain serious violent and sexual offenses, automatic sealing does not happen and the record cannot be sealed until age 30. Your attorney’s goal from the very beginning of the case is to achieve an outcome that preserves the best possible sealing options for your child’s future.
4. Can my child go to prison if convicted in juvenile court in Nevada?
Not adult prison, but detention in a state juvenile facility is possible for serious cases. In Clark County, the most serious juvenile commitments go to the Summit View Youth Center (SMYC). In 2024, 152 distinct youth received SMYC dispositions in Clark County. If a child is certified as an adult, however, adult prison time becomes a real possibility — which is why fighting certification is so critical in felony cases.
5. How do I get my child’s juvenile record sealed in Nevada?
Most juvenile records in Nevada seal automatically when the child turns 21 under NRS 62H.140 — unless the case involved certain serious offenses, in which case the record cannot be sealed until age 30. For early sealing before age 21, a petition can be filed under NRS 62H.130 after at least 3 years have passed since the child’s last court contact and last offense, and if the court is satisfied with rehabilitation. Once sealed, the child can legally deny the arrest ever happened. An attorney can manage this process and ensure it is done correctly.
6. Does my child need a lawyer for a juvenile case in Nevada?
Absolutely, yes — and this is not just a legal formality. Juvenile cases in Nevada involve real consequences: detention, probation, expulsion from school, long-term record implications, and in serious cases, the possibility of adult prosecution. While the court will appoint a public defender if you cannot afford private counsel, a retained attorney with deep local knowledge of the Clark County court system, the Family Court judges, and the District Attorney’s juvenile unit can make a meaningful difference in the outcome of your child’s case.
7. What is the difference between a diversion program and going to juvenile court in Nevada?
Diversion means the case is resolved outside of formal court proceedings — through programs like Clark County’s Harbor Assessment Centers, community service, counseling, or a supervised agreement. If your child successfully completes diversion, no formal adjudication occurs, which keeps their record cleaner and can speed up the path to record sealing. Formal juvenile court proceedings, on the other hand, result in an adjudication (like a conviction) if the charge is sustained. Diversion is almost always the better outcome and is worth fighting for aggressively.
8. Can a juvenile conviction in Nevada affect college financial aid?
Yes, in certain cases. Federal financial aid (FAFSA) eligibility can be affected by drug-related juvenile adjudications. Beyond federal aid, some universities and scholarship programs ask about criminal history during the application process. An unsealed juvenile record — especially for drug offenses — can close these doors. This is one of the most common real-world consequences families in Nevada do not learn about until it is directly in front of them at college application time. Record sealing before a child reaches college age is one of the most important things a family can pursue.
9. What should I say — and not say — to the police if my child is arrested?
The most important thing is this: tell your child, calmly and clearly, to identify themselves by name and nothing more. Do not answer questions. Do not try to explain the situation. Do not say anything beyond “I would like to speak with my attorney.” This advice is not about guilt or innocence — it is about the fact that statements made under stress to police, without an attorney present, frequently do more harm than good. You have a constitutional right to remain silent. Use it. Immediately contact an experienced juvenile defense attorney.
10. My child’s arrest happened at their school in Clark County. Does that make it worse?
In some ways, yes. School-based arrests in Clark County can trigger two separate proceedings simultaneously: the criminal/juvenile court case and the school’s disciplinary process, which may include suspension, expulsion, or placement in an alternative program. Clark County School District Police (CCSDPD) has its own arrest authority and works closely with the DA’s juvenile unit. In the 2023–2024 school year, 62 students were arrested for assault/battery and 21 for fighting — all generating both court cases and school discipline proceedings. Having an attorney who understands both tracks is essential.
The Law Offices of Michael I. Gowdey, LTD
Justice with Integrity | Representation with Heart
Serving Las Vegas · Henderson · North Las Vegas · All of Nevada — gowdeylaw.com/
This page is for general informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Reading this page does not create an attorney-client relationship. Every juvenile case is unique — contact our office directly to discuss the specifics of your child’s situation.