Do you know your legal rights when it comes to search, detention, and questioning by the police? Below are answers to some of the questions the criminal defense lawyers at Adras & Altig get most often about Nevada arrests and individuals’ rights.
How Many Deaths Are Related to Arrests?
There is an average of over 130 arrest-related deaths (ARDs) each month across the United States. This includes people who die during any interactions with law enforcement, during the process of arrest or while in police custody.
The causes of death include:
- lethal force by police
- accidental deaths
- suicides
- medical conditions
- intoxication
What Is Unlawful Detention?
Unlawful detention is when a law enforcement officer holds you for an unreasonable amount of time without a legal reason. Detention is different from arrest. With detention, an officer can hold you for a “brief and cursory” period to ask you questions before either arresting you or letting you go free.
How to Know If You Are Being Illegally Detained
Under Nevada law, the police may only detain a person suspected of criminal behavior or of violating conditions of probation or parole for purposes of identifying the person and investigating the suspicious circumstances. The detained person is not required to answer any other questions besides ones about their identity.
However, unless the officer arrests the person for probable cause, then the detention cannot last longer than 60 minutes and it can’t extend to a location other than the original place of detainment.
Do the Police Always Need a Warrant to Do a Search?
If an officer believes that someone they have detained (or are about to lawfully detain) might have a dangerous weapon, then the officer may search the person solely for the purpose of looking for a weapon. Otherwise, unless you consent to the search, officers usually cannot search you or your property without a warrant.
How Do You Find Out If Someone Has Been Arrested in Nevada?
If you think someone has been arrested in Nevada, contact the city or county where they were arrested. In the Las Vegas area, call the Clark County Detention Center or search their website to get information on people in custody.
Am I Allowed to Record Police Officers in Nevada?
Under the Nevada law, you are allowed to record police actions in a public space as long as you disclose that you are recording and you do not interfere with what the police are doing.
What Are the Demographic Characteristics of Juvenile Arrests?
According to the U.S. Department of Justice, there are over 725,000 juvenile arrests each year.
Of these arrests, over 70% of the youth are male and around 70% are age 15 or older. White youth account for over 60% of overall arrests, while minority youth account for over 50% of arrests for violent crimes, such as murder and robbery.
How to Talk to a Las Vegas Criminal Defense Attorney
If you were charged with a crime or you think you were illegally detained in Nevada, contact Adras & Altig immediately.
We are committed to standing up for the legal rights of people across Nevada.
Our experienced criminal defense lawyers truly care about our clients and we’re dedicated to helping them seek the best possible results. To schedule your free consultation and learn how we can help you, contact us today by phone or online.
You can find more answers to frequently asked questions here.
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At Adras & Altig, we believe that every client we work with deserves a fresh start. Our dedicated Las Vegas criminal defense attorneys take the time to get to know you so we can understand the circumstances surrounding your arrest.