702-623-6362 
An arrest leaves people with immediate questions: Where is the person being held? Can they be released? What should they say to police? When will they have to appear in court?
Whether you have been arrested or are arranging help for someone in custody, start with the location, the alleged charges and any known hearing date. You do not need a complete police report before contacting a defense attorney.
At LV Criminal Defense, attorney Nicholas Wooldridge represents people facing criminal allegations in Las Vegas and throughout Clark County.
Call (702) 623-6362 to request a free initial consultation. Telephone inquiries are accepted 24/7. Tell the office immediately if someone is in custody or a hearing is approaching. Availability of a particular attorney and any representation must be confirmed.
Not arrested, but contacted by detectives? Our Under Investigation? guide addresses decisions that can arise before charges are filed.
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Nick Wooldridge has a long track record of representing clients accused of serious federal and state crimes in Nevada.
Be peaceful and do not use force to resist. Obey every lawful order given to you. Do not try to defend yourself at the side of the road or during booking. Understand the difference between being required to identify yourself and answering questions related to the alleged crime.
Clearly tell the officers that you want a lawyer present and that you are exercising your right to remain silent. When asked questions by the police, say “I wish to remain silent. I want a lawyer.” Do not speculate or attempt to fill in any gaps in your memory with explanations that can be used against you.
Ask for any necessary medical treatment. Immediately inform custody personnel of any injury, symptom requiring immediate attention, or medication need. Family members should call the facility directly if they have any urgent health concerns instead of assuming that an online consultation request will be sent to jail personnel.
Keep the paperwork. Release documents, citations, property receipts and court notices may identify different case numbers or obligations. Save them for your attorney.
Not automatically at the moment of arrest. Miranda warnings generally concern custodial interrogation.
When I initially met with Mr. Wooldridge, he took the opportunity to sit and go over my problem with me. He described details in my case which he found disturbing and explained why he I should have him on my side.
An unwarned statement may raise an admissibility issue, but missing warnings do not automatically cancel an arrest or dismiss a case. Tell your attorney when questioning occurred, what officers said and whether the conversation was recorded.
When you make a social video visit or a phone call to a relative, do not assume this will be considered a confidential conversation regarding your defense strategy. The CCDC visitation policies state that all phone calls are monitored; however, privileged attorney-client communications are exempt.
Ask how to arrange an appropriate attorney communication. Do not assume an ordinary family call becomes confidential merely because legal matters are discussed.
An arrest in the Las Vegas area does not mean everyone is taken to the same jail. The facility can depend on the jurisdiction and circumstances.
The Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department’s official inmate-search directory links to the principal local custody searches and lists these information numbers:
These are jail information numbers, not LV Criminal Defense’s telephone number. Have the person’s full legal name and any booking number available.
Public listings can be incomplete or delayed. Clark County states that certain people, including minors and people in protective custody, will not appear in its public search. A missing result is not proof that someone has not been arrested.
Confirm custody status with the facility when necessary. For legal representation, call our office separately at (702) 623-6362.
Booking generally involves identification, fingerprinting, recording personal property and a health screening. It is an administrative process, not a determination that the person is guilty. The City of Las Vegas detention information explains its booking and release procedures.
Arrest allegations and criminal charges may be different. Your attorney should review the actual charging documents and your custody record as well as the offense you were booked on.
Generally, under NRS 178.4849, a pretrial-release hearing must occur within 48 hours of an individual being taken into custody; however, there are many statutory exceptions and continuances that can delay this time frame.
This is a requirement for a hearing; it does not ensure that you will be released within 48 hours. NRS 171.178 also provides information about when you should appear promptly before a magistrate. Your lawyer can tell you which procedures apply to your case and whether there is a legitimate reason for you to remain in custody.
No. Early hearings can address counsel, custody and the allegations. At arraignment, the court addresses the charges and a plea. The sequence depends on the court and how the case was filed.
Preliminary hearings are used in some felony cases and indictments are used in others. A preliminary hearing is not a trial to determine if someone is guilty beyond a reasonable doubt. Preliminary hearings are not a universal step that will occur once plea discussions have failed.
A lawyer should explain the purpose of the next scheduled hearing before the defendant makes consequential decisions.
Depending on the case, release may be available on personal recognizance, subject to conditions, or through bail. Restrictions and other holds can affect eligibility. Posting bail on one case does not necessarily resolve every reason a person is being detained.
Counsel can review the custody basis and seek appropriate release conditions. No attorney should promise release before reviewing the situation.
Some payment facilities operate around the clock. Clark County’s bail instructions state that the Justice Court bail window at CCDC operates 24/7. Procedures differ by court and facility.
That does not mean every person can be released immediately. Confirm the applicable order, payment instructions and any other holds before paying. Ask a commercial bond provider to explain its fees and collateral terms; do not confuse those charges with attorney fees or money deposited directly with a court.
After you are released from jail, read your release conditions and make sure you know when your next court date is. Being released from jail does not mean your case will be dismissed. Make sure you know which court, what day, where and if there are any reporting or monitoring requirements. If you don’t understand something about your release conditions, ask your attorney before assuming that you don’t need to show up to court.
Follow all contact restrictions. If the judge orders you not to contact a specific individual, even if they invite you over, do not contact them. Talk to your attorney about how to handle children, personal property and other issues legally. See our Domestic Battery Guide for additional information regarding these types of issues.
Preserve potential evidence. Keep all messages, photos, receipts and the names of anyone who might be able to testify on your behalf. Tell your attorney about any businesses or locations that may have video surveillance. Do not change or destroy evidence, nor should you attempt to get together with other individuals to create a consistent story.
Check for separate deadlines. A DUI arrest, for example, can involve licensing action separate from the criminal case. The Nevada DMV explains that distinction. Give your attorney any DMV notice as well as your court paperwork.
A return flight, hotel checkout or job in another state does not resolve a Nevada criminal matter. Before leaving, have your release conditions and required appearances reviewed. Whether counsel can appear for you or request a remote appearance depends on the case and the court; neither should be assumed.
Our out-of-state tourist arrest guide addresses this situation. Keep the office informed of your current contact information and any documents you receive after returning home.
For incidents at a hotel or casino, a pool party or nightclub, or an event such as Electric Daisy Carnival, tell counsel the precise location and approximate time. That information can help identify possible witnesses or records without assuming that useful footage exists.
LV Criminal Defense assists residents and visitors with matters connected to Las Vegas, Henderson, North Las Vegas, Summerlin, Paradise, Spring Valley, Enterprise and other Clark County communities. The relevant agency and court depend on the case, not merely the client’s home address.
The immediate task is to understand the custody situation, the allegations and the next decision—not to predict an outcome from a booking entry.
When representation is agreed, the work may include reviewing release conditions, preparing for a hearing, examining police reports and recordings, identifying evidence to preserve, and assessing whether charges or evidence can be challenged. The scope depends on the matter and the representation agreement.
If federal authorities are involved, tell the office at the outset. Federal criminal cases follow different procedures; the Nevada release-hearing rule described above is not a universal federal rule.
You can request a free initial consultation without having the complete file. Start with the person’s name, facility if known, alleged charge and any hearing date. Save detailed or sensitive case information for an appropriate discussion with counsel.
You can contact the firm to ask about arranging representation. The office will need to establish who the client is and whether it can accept the matter. Helping with fees or being a relative does not automatically give someone access to another person’s confidential case information.
Tell the court and ask about eligibility for appointed counsel. The Clark County Public Defender represents eligible people accused of crimes who cannot afford an attorney. Appointment depends on the applicable requirements; do not miss a hearing while trying to arrange private representation.
No. Being released from jail is separate from whether you will be prosecuted. Have your paperwork reviewed and check on the status of your case. A lack of results in an online search or a lack of contact does not mean that your case has been formally dismissed.
Not automatically. A separate Nevada record-sealing process may be available. Eligibility and the procedure depend on whether charges were dismissed, prosecution was declined, or the case had another disposition.
If you or someone close to you has been arrested, the first conversation can begin with a few facts: the person’s name, where they are being held, what paperwork is available and whether a hearing is approaching.
Call (702) 623-6362 or use the consultation form on this page to request a free initial consultation. Mention any custody issue or deadline immediately. Do not rely on a submitted form as confirmation that the firm has accepted representation or will attend a hearing.
Attorney advertising. Responsible attorney: Nicholas M. Wooldridge. This page provides general information, not advice about an individual case. Submitting an inquiry does not itself establish an attorney-client relationship. No release, charge reduction or case outcome is guaranteed.
