If you have been accused of a violent crime in Nevada, you might face serious penalties that could change your life forever. But if you were only trying to defend yourself, you could claim that you were acting in self-defense to avoid a criminal conviction.
Keep in mind that you must meet certain conditions to use this as a legal defense, though. That’s why it’s important to have an experienced criminal defense attorney on your side. To learn more about Nevada’s self-defense laws and how they might apply to your case, contact Adras & Altig, Attorneys at Law for a free consultation.
What Is Nevada’s Stand Your Ground Law?
Nevada is a “stand your ground” state, which allows a person to use force in a situation involving self-defense. In Nevada, this law applies if:
- The non-aggressor has reason to believe they or someone else is in imminent danger of bodily harm or death.
- They don’t use more force than is needed to avoid the threat.
Can I Kill in Self-Defense?
Under Nevada law, killing in self-defense may be legally justifiable in certain situations. This includes killing in defense of yourself, another person, or an occupied home or vehicle against a violent crime or the reasonable threat of violence.
State law specifies that killing in self-defense may be legal if:
- The danger someone faces is so “urgent and pressing” that killing the aggressor is necessary to save their life or prevent great bodily harm.
- The person killed was the aggressor.
- The person acting in self-defense had, in good faith, tried to prevent any further struggle before killing the aggressor.
Is There a Duty to Retreat Before Using Deadly Force in Nevada?
Whether you have a duty to retreat before resorting to deadly force depends on the circumstances. Under self-defense laws in Nevada, you are not required to retreat before using deadly force in a “justifiable homicide.” Nevada law defines a justifiable homicide as killing another person in “necessary self-defense.”
A person may not have a duty to retreat if:
- They are not the original aggressor and didn’t start the altercation.
- They have the right to be wherever they are when the incident occurs.
- They are not actively engaged in criminal activity when the incident occurs.
What Crimes Can I Defend Myself From?
The use of force is permitted in self-defense against any violent crime in Nevada as long as the use of force is needed and you have a reasonable belief that you are at risk of injury or death. This means you can defend yourself from crimes such as:
- Assault
- Battery
- Domestic violence
- Rape
- Home invasion
- Robbery
- Vehicle theft
Contact Adras & Altig, Attorneys at Law for Your Self-Defense Case
The legal aspects of self-defense can vary considerably depending on the facts of a given case. At Adras & Altig, Attorneys at Law, we can help you show that your actions were reasonable and necessary under the circumstances. Contact us for your free, confidential consultation with a criminal defense lawyer to learn more about your legal options.
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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.