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Sex offenses and offenses against children are treated differently under Nevada law than many other crimes. There are various provisions of the Nevada criminal procedure code which set forth some of the key differences in consequences for offenses considered sex crimes. NRS Chapter 179D governs registration for sex offenders and offenders convicted of a crime against a child. NRS 176.0921–176.0927 provide the definitions and set out what the court must do after sentencing for either type of conviction.
Understanding how Nevada laws treat offenders who committed crimes against children or sex crimes is extremely important if you are accused of a crime that could be considered a sex offense or if you are accused of having an underage victim. A Las Vegas criminal defense lawyer can help you to understand what the definition of a sexual offense is and what it means for you if you are convicted of a crime within this category. We also provide advice on the definition of a crime against a child and the implications of a conviction for a crime involving a child victim.
Any criminal charges have the power to change your life, but sex offenses and crimes against a child can have some of the most profound lifelong impacts because of the potential that you will be included in a central repository or registry of offenders. You need to fight aggressively to try to avoid being convicted, and LV Criminal Defense will help. Give us a call today to speak with a Las Vegas criminal defense lawyer who has the knowledge, skills, and experience necessary to assist you with trying to avoid harsh penalties and permanent damage to your reputation.
Because there are reporting requirements and other consequences associated with being convicted of a crime against a child, it is important to know exactly what the definition of this type of offense is.
There are several different laws in Nevada that you must look to in order to understand these definitions.
For example, N.R.S. 176.0925 defines a “sexual offense” to include the offenses described in N.R.S. 179D.097. These offenses include:
The definition of a crime against a child, on the other hand, is found in N.R.S. 176.0923. This definition states that a crime against a child includes offenses described in N.R.S. 179D.0357. Offenses which are considered a crime against a child include:
Kidnapping, false imprisonment, or involuntary servitude of a child, unless the offender was the child’s parent or guardian.
Sex trafficking or prostitution offenses when the victim is under 18
If you are charged with or convicted of offenses that fall within any of these different categories, you must understand the implications associated with sex crimes and crimes against children.
If you are convicted of a sex crime, N.R.S. 176.0927 indicates that notice of this conviction must be provided to the Central Repository in Nevada. The Central Repository is defined in N.R.S. 176.0922 as the Central Repository for Nevada Records of Criminal History. Essentially, it is a massive statewide database that keeps criminal records on file.
When the Central Repository is notified, it will move forward with the required sex offender registration, as mandated by Nevada law. The defendant has to be informed of his duty to register as part of the notice of his conviction. He must be told exactly what the registration requirements are, including a mandate to register any time he is within the state of Nevada and a mandate to comply with sex offender registration requirements in any other state in which he resides.
The defendant also has to be informed of his responsibilities to notify local law enforcement agencies if he changes his residence or address; if he expects to become enrolled in an institution of higher learning or changes his enrollment or graduation status; or if he expects to begin working in higher education. The defendant has to sign a form stating he has been made aware of the requirements of registration. However, whether this notice is provided or not does affect the requirements of the defendant to comply with Nevada sex offender registry rules.
Under NRS 176.0926, after imposing sentence for a crime against a child, the court must notify the Central Repository, explain the registration requirements, and have the defendant read and sign a form confirming that they understand those requirements. The court’s explanation must cover registration in Nevada and other jurisdictions, reporting changes to a home or primary work or school address, and immediately reporting current or expected enrollment or employment at an institution of higher education or changes to its start or end date.
The duty to register and comply with Nevada’s registration requirements remains in force even if the court fails to explain the requirements or provide the acknowledgment form.
Requirements imposed upon individuals convicted of sex crimes or crimes against children can be burdensome and onerous. You need to fight conviction for these offenses and must understand your responsibilities if you are found guilty. LV Criminal Defense can help.
To learn more about the ways in which we can assist you when you’ve been charged with a crime that could require registration, give us a call today to speak with an experienced Vegas defense lawyer.
Sex Offenders and Offenders Convicted of a Crime Against a Child