Being arrested is always a frightening and stressful experience, but it can be even more distressing if you’re arrested while you’re traveling out of town.
With so many people visiting Las Vegas every year, it’s inevitable that some of these tourists may run into trouble with the law. Unfortunately for many visitors to Vegas, it’s difficult to know what to do if you’re arrested outside of your home state, especially if you’ve never dealt with the criminal justice system before.
Here are a few tips from the veteran Las Vegas criminal defense attorneys at Adras & Altig, Attorneys at Law.
Steps to Take If Arrested in Las Vegas as a Tourist
What you do following your arrest can affect your case. Here are steps you should take if you’re arrested in Las Vegas:
- Stay calm. Being arrested is stressful, but it’s important to keep cool as best you can. A panicked response is likely to lead to more trouble for you.
- Don’t say anything. You have the right to remain silent, and we strongly recommend you use it. Attempts to talk yourself out of trouble rarely succeed. Talking to the police is more likely to get you into further trouble than to resolve your legal issue. Your words can be twisted and used against you later on.
- Don’t try to flee the scene. No matter how bad things may seem if you’re arrested, trying to run will only make matters worse.
- Call a local criminal defense lawyer immediately. Your best option is to hire a local criminal defense lawyer to represent you. Only lawyers who are licensed by the Nevada State Bar can represent you in court. Even if you have a personal lawyer in your home state, there’s a good chance they will not be able to represent you here. A local lawyer can get you out on bail, represent you in your Nevada court proceedings, and advise you on the best course of action for your particular situation.
Most Common Criminal Charges for Out-of-State Visitors in Las Vegas
Because Las Vegas is a tourist destination, visitors commonly face some different charges from local defendants. Some of the most common charges for tourists include:
- Solicitation for prostitution (prostitution is legal only in certain rural areas of Nevada and not in Las Vegas)
- DUI
- Drug charges
- Assault or battery
- Unpaid casino debts
- Open or gross lewdness
Will Your Criminal Record Follow You Home?
Anytime anyone in the United States is convicted of a state or federal offense, that record is entered into a database known as the National Crime Information Center, or NCIC.
This means that an arrest in Las Vegas will show up if someone runs a background check on you in your home state. However, you can apply to have your records sealed after a certain amount of time has passed following your conviction. An attorney can help you get your records sealed.
Get Legal Help from Local Criminal Defense Lawyers
A local, Nevada-based defense attorney is essential for any tourist who’s arrested in Las Vegas. The criminal defense lawyers at Adras & Altig, Attorneys at Law have more than 40 years of combined legal experience. Our collaborative approach to our cases helps us pursue the best results for our clients.
Call us today to review your case at a free initial consultation, or you can visit our contact page.
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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.