Crime of retaking goods from custody officer

Lawyer Explains Crime of Retaking Goods from Officer

In the state of Nevada, there are strict rules designed to ensure the smooth administration of public justice. If those rules are violated, then the violator may be considered to have committed an offense against public justice.  Chapter 199 of Title 15 is the part of Nevada’s criminal code that details the different kinds of crimes against public justice and that defines the offenses that people may commit.

Crimes against public justice could be committed by officials within the justice system, such as by judges or jurors who take bribes or by officers who refuse to take someone into custody when it is their duty to do so.  Offenses could also be committed by civilians who become involved in the criminal justice system in any capacity, including in dealing with police officers.

The crimes against public justice that are made illegal within Chapter 199 are divided up into different subcategories based on the nature of the offense that has been committed. There is a subsection of Chapter 199 for bribery and corruption offenses; for perjury offenses; for the falsification of evidence; for conspiracy; for solicitation; for the obstruction of criminal investigations; and for miscellaneous offenses.

There is also a subsection within Chapter 199 for Rescues.  There are two statutes within the Rescues subsection of Chapter 199. The first of those statutes defines the criminal offense of rescuing prisoners. The second defines the criminal offense of retaking goods from the custody of a police officer.

Both offenses are considered to be serious ones. If you are convicted of either of these offenses, you need to get legal help from a qualified legal professional who can provide you with aggressive assistance in fighting the charges against you.  LV Criminal Defense is here to help.

Our Las Vegas criminal defense firm has extensive experience representing defendants accused of offenses against public justice. We can help you to understand the definition of rescue offenses, assist you in determining the best way to respond to charges, and help you to try to reduce the potential consequences that could be associated with your involvement with the criminal justice system. To find out more about the ways in which our compassionate and knowledgeable legal team can help you, give us a call today.

Nevada Laws on Retaking of Goods from the Custody of an Officer

Nevada defines the criminal offense of retaking goods from an officer in Nevada Revised Statute section 199.110.   According to 199.110, the offense is defined broadly. The offense could be committed by any person who takes personal property from an officer or from any other person who has that property under any process of law.

This means that if you take any personal property from a police officer or from any other person who has been given legal authority to retain that property as part of his official duty, you could be convicted of the crime of retaking goods from custody of an officer.

Nevada also extends the definition of the crime found within N.R.S. 199.110 to any situation where a person willfully injures or destroys goods that are under the control of a public officer or another person duly authorized to have those goods under the process of law.  The prosecutor under these circumstances would need to prove that the destruction of the goods was willful destruction, which means it must have been intentional and not inadvertent or accidental.

A defendant convicted of an offense under N.R.S. 199.110 for taking goods or for willful destruction of goods under the control of any officer — or under the control of another person given control under the process of law — would be convicted of a gross misdemeanor offense.  Penalties for a gross misdemeanor are defined in Nevada Revised Statute section 193.140.

According to N.R.S. 193.140, a person who has been convicted of a gross misdemeanor could potentially be sentenced to a maximum of one year of imprisonment at the county jail.  A person convicted of a gross misdemeanor could also be fined a maximum of $2,000, and it is possible that punishment will include both imprisonment and a fine.  This is the penalty that is imposed under Nevada law for all gross misdemeanors unless the statute defining the misdemeanor offense details a different penalty specific to the crime.

These penalties are obviously serious ones, as up to a year of imprisonment and a fine of up to $2,000 could interfere with your life in profound ways if you have been convicted of the offense of retaking goods from a public officer. However, an accusation or an arrest does not always lead to a conviction and you may be able to fight the charges that have been brought against you.

You should get help from a qualified attorney with experience representing defendants who have been charged with similar offenses in the past so your attorney will know how best to approach your case and fight for your future.