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A criminal record can follow you long after your case is completed. A past arrest, dismissed charge, or conviction can show up in background checks and cause concerns as you seek employment, housing, or a professional license. In Nevada, some individuals have the right to petition a court to seal their eligible criminal record(s) which will restrict access to those records.
Whether you plan to file the paperwork yourself or want help with the process, the first questions are the same: Is your record eligible? Has the required waiting period passed? And which court should receive your petition?
This guide explains Nevada record sealing, the difference between sealing and expungement, the steps used in Las Vegas and Clark County, and what the process may cost. For assistance with an individual case, you can contact LV Criminal Defense at (702) 623-6362.
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Eligibility depends on how a case ended, the offense involved, and, for most convictions, how much time has passed since the relevant sentence ended. Nevada has separate rules for convictions and for arrests that resulted in dismissal, acquittal, or a decision not to prosecute.
Under NRS 179.245 and 179.255, a person may be able to pursue sealing after:
Having a criminal record does not guarantee that you will have the ability to seal your records. Certain types of convictions cannot be sealed; additionally, if there are any pending cases or unresolved charges, these may negatively impact the petition.
Nick Wooldridge has a long track record of representing clients accused of serious federal and state crimes in Nevada.
It is the specific statute, case outcome and court documents that are more relevant than what is listed on an older background check.
Many individuals search for “Nevada expungement” or inquire about having their records expunged. However, for most Nevada adult criminal cases, the only available option is record sealing, not expungement. Expungement typically means to destroy or remove a record.
In contrast, a Nevada sealing order allows for eligible records to be removed from public view while still allowing for some legally authorized uses of those records. The Nevada State Police Records Division provides further explanation of the differences between the two options and states that sealed records may still be accessible under certain conditions.
For individuals who are concerned about how their criminal history will appear on employment or housing background checks, sealing can provide significant benefits. However, sealing does not provide any guarantees that every database, agency or licensing authority will permanently remove the information.
The following are the general waiting periods under NRS 179.245.
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.
These periods apply only to otherwise eligible convictions; exceptions and offense-specific rules may change the answer.
| Conviction category | General waiting period |
|---|---|
| Category A felony, crime of violence, or residential burglary | 10 years |
| Other category B, C, or D felony | 5 years |
| Category E felony | 2 years |
| Gross misdemeanor, unless a special rule applies | 2 years |
| Qualifying nonfelony DUI or nonfelony domestic battery | 7 years |
| Specified misdemeanors, including ordinary battery, harassment, stalking, or certain protective-order violations | 2 years |
| Other eligible misdemeanors | 1 year |
For felonies, the statutory clock generally runs from release from actual custody or discharge from parole or probation, whichever occurs later. Some misdemeanors use different wording, including the date a suspended sentence ends. Do not calculate eligibility solely from the arrest date or the date of conviction.
If your history includes domestic violence or DUI, check the special rules rather than assuming the ordinary misdemeanor period applies.
A case that did not produce a conviction is treated differently from one that did.
Under NRS 179.255, a person may generally petition after charges have been dismissed or after an acquittal, without waiting through the conviction periods in the table above. The court still must review the petition and statutory requirements, including whether additional proceedings are expected.
If an old arrest report lacks a clear disposition, first obtain the records needed to confirm what happened to each charge. Filing under the wrong legal basis can create avoidable delays.
Nevada excludes several categories of convictions from ordinary record sealing. These include specified crimes against children, sexual offenses, certain serious DUI-related offenses, and other offenses expressly listed in NRS 179.245(6). For example, the law excludes certain felony DUI convictions and vehicular homicide involving impaired driving.
The exclusions are defined by statute. A case’s charge name alone may not tell the full story, particularly when charges were amended or a plea resolved multiple counts.
You can read more about Nevada’s sex-crime laws, but eligibility for sealing must be assessed against the actual conviction statute.
Many eligible people can prepare and file their own petitions. The practical challenge is assembling a complete criminal history, identifying the proper court, and making sure the petition and proposed order accurately cover the relevant records and agencies.
The Clark County District Attorney’s record-sealing page is a useful starting point for county-level instructions. Before filing, verify that you are using the current forms and procedures for the court that handled your case.
The same Nevada eligibility statutes apply statewide, but local filing rules differ. In Clark County, the District Attorney’s stipulation process generally concerns district court and justice court records, not cases prosecuted in a municipal court.
Henderson: A Henderson municipal misdemeanor may require documents and review through the Henderson City Attorney’s Office and Municipal Court. It should not automatically be included in a Clark County District Attorney petition.
Reno: A person sealing criminal records from a Reno Justice Court case should consult the Reno Justice Court’s record-sealing packet. Other Washoe County courts may have separate requirements.
If your record includes arrests or cases in more than one court, map each disposition to the correct jurisdiction before choosing the petition forms.
There is no single statewide price. Costs depend on the court, the number of cases, required records, and whether you choose to hire an attorney.
Possible expenses include the criminal-history report, fingerprinting, filing fees, certified copies, service or delivery of orders, and optional legal fees. Some cases are straightforward enough for a person to prepare independently. Others involve missing dispositions, multiple courts, or an objection that increases the work required.
Clark County advises petitioners to verify filing fees directly with the appropriate court clerk. Prior to hiring professional services, ask for an itemized breakdown of government costs and legal fees instead of accepting a generalized advertised price.
A properly issued sealing order generally restricts ordinary public access to the records it covers. Under NRS 179.285, Nevada also provides significant legal protections concerning proceedings covered by the order, subject to statutory exceptions.
There are important limits:
Once you are eligible, the administrative process may still take several months. Obtaining criminal-history reports, preparing accurate forms, obtaining prosecutorial review, receiving a signed order, and distributing it to record custodians all take time.
The Nevada State Police provide general processing information, but actual timing depends on the jurisdiction and whether documents are complete or objections arise.
A court order may also take additional time to be reflected across the relevant record systems.
No. Nevada generally allows individuals to seek sealing without hiring an attorney. The Nevada Division of Parole and Probation identifies court instructions and forms that people can use themselves.
Professional help may be useful when a criminal history is incomplete, several courts are involved, a conviction’s eligibility is uncertain, or a prosecutor objects. A record-sealing attorney can review the history, identify the applicable statutes, prepare the paperwork, and address legal issues raised during the process.
If you prefer assistance rather than handling the petition yourself, LV Criminal Defense can review your situation and discuss available options. Hiring counsel does not guarantee that a court will grant a petition.
Some DUI convictions can be sealed. Under NRS 179.245, an eligible nonfelony DUI generally has a seven-year waiting period measured from release from actual custody or the date the person is no longer under a suspended sentence, whichever occurs later. Certain felony DUI convictions are excluded. If a DUI case was dismissed or ended in acquittal, different rules may apply.
Sometimes. Clark County has procedures for certain combinations of district court and justice court matters, but municipal court records follow a different path. The courts involved and the wording of the proposed order determine the appropriate approach.
No one should promise that. A sealing order restricts covered Nevada records, but statutory exceptions and records held by other jurisdictions or private companies can affect what remains accessible. Follow up with the named custodians after the order is issued.
In ordinary adult criminal cases, Nevada generally uses record sealing rather than expungement. If your goal is to limit public access to an eligible arrest or conviction, start by reviewing the record-sealing rules and your case’s disposition.
LVMPD – Apply to get your records from the police department
Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department Records Bureau
City Hall – 1st Floor
400 East Stewart
Las Vegas, Nevada 89101
(702) 828-3475
Las Vegas Municipal Court – record sealing form
200 Lewis Avenue
Las Vegas, Nevada 89155
(702) 382-6878
Clark County District Attorney’s Office – sealing of records
301 E Clark Ave # 100,
Las Vegas, NV 89101
(702) 671-2500
Washoe County, NV – Sealing records in Washoe County
Nevada Department of Safety – Information and statutes
You do not have to hire a lawyer to seek record sealing. But if you are unsure whether your conviction qualifies, cannot determine what happened to an old charge, or have cases in multiple courts, a review of your records may help you avoid filing the wrong paperwork.
LV Criminal Defense assists people seeking to understand and pursue record sealing in Las Vegas and Clark County. Contact the firm to discuss your history, the applicable waiting periods, and whether legal assistance would be useful for your situation.
Call (702) 623-6362 to request a free consultation.