What Are the Top 5 Mistakes That Get Tourists Arrested in Las Vegas?

Your Vegas Vacation Took a Wrong Turn. Now What?

Let’s be real. Nobody books a trip to Las Vegas planning to see the inside of the Clark County Detention Center. You came for the lights, the shows, the food, and the fun. You came to let loose. But in a city that moves a million miles an hour, it’s incredibly easy for a tourist to make one small mistake that turns a dream vacation into a legal nightmare.

If that’s happened to you, take a deep breath. You’re scared, you’re far from home, and you have no idea how the system works here. We get it. For decades, our team at The Gowdey Law Firm has been the first call for countless visitors who find themselves in that exact situation. We’ve seen it all, and we’re here to tell you: this is serious, but it’s something you can get through with the right help.

Las Vegas is a city built for tourists. In fact, the Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority (LVCVA) reported that over 38.8 million people visited in 2022 alone. With that many people, things are bound to happen. The Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department (LVMPD) is one of the busiest forces in the country, and they are experts at handling the unique situations that pop up on the Strip. They’ve seen it all, too.

This guide is here to help you understand what just happened. We’re going to walk you through the five most common legal traps tourists fall into in Las Vegas. More importantly, we’ll tell you what to do next to protect your future.

What Is the Most Common Mistake Tourists Make With Alcohol in Vegas?

Mistake #1: The Open Container Illusion

It’s one of the most famous images of Las Vegas: people walking down the Strip with giant, colorful drinks in their hands. It feels like there are no rules. But that’s a dangerous illusion. Nevada’s open container laws are a confusing patchwork, and stepping one foot into the wrong area can lead to a citation or even an arrest.

The Strip vs. Everywhere Else: A Tale of Two Cities

Here’s the thing you have to understand: the Las Vegas Strip isn’t actually in the City of Las Vegas. It’s in an unincorporated part of Clark County. This legal quirk is why the rules can be so different.

• On the Strip: Generally, you can carry an open container of alcohol and drink in public. The boundaries for this are roughly Sahara Avenue to the north and Sunset Road to the south.
• Off the Strip (Including Downtown/Fremont Street): The moment you step off the Strip, the rules can change. For example, the City of Las Vegas has its own set of rules. While you can often drink on the Fremont Street Experience, you can’t bring a drink from an outside store onto the pedestrian mall. It has to be bought there.
• The “No Glass” Rule: Even on the Strip, you are not allowed to carry glass containers of alcohol. This is a huge reason people get stopped. Your drink must be in a plastic cup, paper cup, or an aluminum can or bottle.
• The “Package Liquor” Rule: This is the one that trips up so many tourists. Nevada law makes it illegal to consume alcohol on the premises of a store where it was sold. This means you can’t buy a beer at a convenience store and start drinking it in the parking lot or right outside the front door. You have to be a certain distance away, which is often poorly defined. A recent report from the UNLV Center for Crime and Justice Policy highlighted that these “quality of life” ordinances are a major source of police interactions with tourists.

What Happens If You Get an Open Container Ticket?

An open container violation is typically a misdemeanor. While it might seem like a simple ticket, it’s a criminal charge. If you’re a tourist, you might think you can just pay a fine and forget about it. Big mistake. Pleading guilty gives you a criminal record that can show up on background checks for jobs back home.

What Should You Do?

Don’t just pay the ticket. And definitely don’t ignore it. Ignoring it will lead to a bench warrant for your arrest. The best thing to do is call a local Las Vegas criminal defense lawyer. In many minor misdemeanor cases, we can appear in court on your behalf. This means you can go home, and we handle the legal mess, often working to get the charge dismissed or reduced to a non-criminal infraction.

Can I Really Be Arrested for “Disorderly Conduct” in Las Vegas?

Mistake #2: The “Disorderly Conduct” Catch-All

“Disorderly conduct” is one of the most common charges tourists face in Las Vegas. Why? Because it’s incredibly vague and can cover almost anything an officer decides is “disturbing the peace.” This isn’t like a DUI with a clear blood alcohol limit. It’s subjective.

What is Disorderly Conduct in Nevada?

Under Nevada law (NRS 203.010), disorderly conduct can be anything from a loud argument to provoking a fight. On the Strip, this is often applied to situations involving:

• Public Intoxication: While drinking is allowed, being so drunk that you can’t care for your own safety or are becoming a nuisance is a problem. If you’re stumbling into people or causing a scene, you’re at risk.
• Heated Arguments: A loud fight with your spouse, a friend, or a stranger in a casino can attract the attention of security and police.
• Challenging Casino Security: This is a huge one. Casino security guards are not police officers, but they have the right to remove you from their private property. Arguing, getting aggressive, or refusing to leave when asked is a fast track to a disorderly conduct charge, or even trespassing.

The Nevada Department of Public Safety’s annual crime report often shows a high number of these types of misdemeanor arrests, many of which involve tourists who let a situation get out of hand. It’s a tough spot to be in, and it happens fast.

What Are the Penalties?

Disorderly conduct is a misdemeanor. It can lead to fines of up to $1,000 and/or up to six months in jail. Again, the biggest risk for a tourist is the criminal record that follows you home. It’s not something you want to explain to a future employer. Finding the best defense strategy is key.

What Should You Do?

If you are approached by security or police, the best thing you can do is de-escalate. Be polite. Don’t argue. If they ask you to leave, leave. If you are arrested, say nothing. Do not try to explain your side of the story. They are not there to hear it. Their job is to make an arrest. Your job is to remember two words: “I want a lawyer.” Our criminal defense team has handled thousands of these cases. We know how to talk to the prosecutors and show them that a heated moment on vacation shouldn’t ruin someone’s life.

What Happens If I Get In a Fight With Casino Security in Vegas?

Mistake #3: Casino Disputes Gone Wrong

Casinos are private property. This is the most important thing to remember. They have their own extensive security teams and a set of rules designed to protect the house. When a dispute over winnings, a casino marker, or your behavior on the floor happens, it can escalate with lightning speed.

The Power of Casino Security

Think of casino security as the gatekeepers. They have the absolute right to ask you to leave for any reason. If you refuse, it’s trespassing. If you touch a security guard, it can become battery. They also work hand-in-hand with the LVMPD. Many large casinos have police substations right on the property.

Common ways a dispute goes wrong:

• Arguing Over a Payout: You think the slot machine malfunctioned or the dealer made a mistake. If you get loud and aggressive, security will be there in seconds.
• Getting Cut Off: The bartender refuses to serve you another drink. If you argue and cause a scene, you’ll be asked to leave.
• “Backing Off” a Player: Casino security takes a very dim view of anyone who seems to be “hustling” or interfering with their games. If they suspect you of anything, they will detain you first and ask questions later.

What are the Charges?

A simple refusal to leave can lead to a trespassing charge. A heated argument can lead to disorderly conduct. If there’s any physical contact, you could be facing a much more serious battery charge. If you’ve been accused of cheating, you could be facing a felony. These are not small things.

What Should You Do?

If you are detained by casino security, you have the right to remain silent. You do not have to answer their questions. They will almost certainly try to get you to write a statement. Don’t do it. Be polite, but firm. State that you will not answer any questions without a lawyer present. Our firm knows the casino security playbook inside and out. We know how to get the surveillance footage and how to challenge the security guards’ version of events.

Can I Be Charged With a Marijuana DUI in Las Vegas?

Mistake #4: The Marijuana Misconception

Yes, recreational marijuana is legal in Nevada for adults 21 and over. Tourists see dispensaries everywhere and think it’s a free-for-all. It is not. The rules are very strict, and breaking them can lead to serious charges, including a DUI that is just as bad as an alcohol DUI.

Where Can You Legally Use Marijuana in Las Vegas?

This is the key. Under Nevada law, you can only legally consume marijuana in a private residence. That’s it.

• You CANNOT smoke it in a hotel room. Hotels and casinos are private properties and they ban it. If you do, you can be fined by the hotel and even kicked out.
• You CANNOT smoke it on the street, on the Strip, or at the Fremont Street Experience. This is public consumption, which is illegal.
• You CANNOT use it in a parked car. This is also considered public consumption.

The Biggest Risk: Marijuana DUI

This is the trap that snares so many visitors. Just because marijuana is legal does not mean you can drive after using it. Nevada has a very strict law for marijuana DUIs (NRS 484C.110).

Unlike alcohol, there is no “roadside test” for marijuana. But if an officer suspects you are impaired, they can take you for a blood test. The legal limit is very low: 2 nanograms per milliliter of blood for THC (the active ingredient). Here’s the problem: THC can stay in your system for days or even weeks. This means you could be arrested for a DUI even if you haven’t used marijuana for a day or two. You could feel completely sober and still be over the legal limit.

What Should You Do?

If you are pulled over and an officer asks if you have used marijuana, the answer is always the same: “I would like to speak with a lawyer.” Do not admit to anything. A DUI defense case for marijuana is very scientific. Our team works with experts to challenge the blood test results, the timing of the test, and the officer’s observations. These are complex cases, and you need a team that understands both the law and the science.

Does a Criminal Charge in Las Vegas Follow Me Home?

Mistake #5: The “What Happens in Vegas…” Myth

It’s the city’s most famous marketing slogan: “What happens in Vegas, stays in Vegas.” When it comes to a wild weekend or a silly story, that’s fine. When it comes to a criminal charge, it is a dangerous lie.

A Criminal Record is a National Record

If you are arrested and convicted of a crime in Las Vegas, that criminal record does not stop at the Nevada border. It goes into national databases.

• It WILL show up on a background check. When you apply for a new job, a professional license, or even an apartment, a conviction in Las Vegas will be there for them to see.
• It CAN affect your current job. Many professions require you to report any criminal conviction. A DUI or theft charge could put your career in jeopardy.
• It CAN affect your immigration status. If you are not a U.S. citizen, any criminal conviction, even a misdemeanor, can have devastating consequences for your immigration status.

A study published in the Journal of Criminology and Public Policy found that a criminal record, even for a minor offense, can reduce the chances of getting a callback for a job by as much as 50%. The idea that a Vegas mistake is a “free pass” is completely false. It has real-world consequences.

The Bench Warrant Problem

The biggest problem for tourists is not showing up for court. You go home, you have a court date in a month, and you think you can just ignore it. If you miss that court date, the judge will issue a bench warrant for your arrest. That warrant is entered into a national database. This means you could be pulled over for a simple speeding ticket in your home state, and you will be arrested on that Nevada warrant.

What Should You Do?

You must take any criminal charge in Las Vegas seriously. The best thing you can do is hire a local law firm right away. Our team can often resolve the entire case without you ever having to fly back to Las Vegas. We can appear on your behalf at court dates, negotiate with the prosecutor, and work to get the charge dismissed or reduced. Our goal is to protect your record and ensure that your Vegas mistake doesn’t follow you for the rest of your life. Don’t wait until there’s a warrant. Address it head-on.

Key Takeaways

• Vegas Rules are Different: Don’t assume the laws are the same as in your home state. Open container, marijuana use, and public intoxication rules are a confusing patchwork.
• Casinos are Private Property: Casino security has immense power. Arguing or refusing to leave can turn a simple dispute into a criminal charge like trespassing or battery.
• Marijuana DUI is Real: You can be arrested for a marijuana DUI even if you feel sober. The legal limit is very low, and THC stays in your system for a long time.
• It Follows You Home: A criminal charge in Las Vegas creates a national record that can impact your job, your housing, and your future. Ignoring a court date will lead to a warrant for your arrest.
• Your First Call is Your Most Important: If you are arrested or cited as a tourist, your first and only call should be to an experienced Las Vegas criminal defense firm. We can often handle the entire case without you needing to return.

Common Questions We Get From Tourists

1. I was just given a ticket, not arrested. Do I still need a lawyer? Yes. In Nevada, even a ticket for something like open container or disorderly conduct is a misdemeanor criminal citation, not a simple fine. If you just pay it, you are pleading guilty to a crime. You absolutely need a lawyer to help get it dismissed or reduced to a non-criminal infraction to protect your record.
2. The police never read me my Miranda rights. Will my case be dismissed? This is one of the biggest myths from TV. Miranda rights are only required if you are (1) in custody and (2) being interrogated. Most arrests don’t involve a long interrogation right away. While it can be a factor in trying to get certain statements thrown out, a failure to read you your rights almost never leads to an automatic dismissal of the entire case.
3. How can I deal with this from my home state? I can’t keep flying back to Las Vegas. That’s one of the most important reasons to hire a local firm. For most misdemeanor cases, our attorneys can be authorized to appear in court on your behalf for all required hearings. You can stay home and go about your life while we handle the legal process here in Las Vegas, keeping you updated every step of the way.
4. I think I was targeted because I’m a tourist. Can that help my case? While it feels unfair, being a tourist is not a legal defense. However, if the police or security acted improperly, that can absolutely be part of our defense strategy. Our job is to look at the facts. Did they have a valid reason to stop you? Did they conduct an illegal search? We investigate every angle to defend your rights.
5. What is the best way to find a lawyer for a tourist “near me” in Las Vegas? When you’re in a crisis, searching for the “best lawyer near me” can be overwhelming. The most important thing is to find a firm with decades of experience specifically within the Las Vegas and Clark County court systems. Look for a team that highlights its work with tourists, as they will understand the unique challenges you face. Don’t hesitate to contact our firm for a consultation to see how we can help.