General Provisions

General Rules for Criminal Records Explained by Nevada Defense Lawyer

Chapter 179A of Nevada’s code section addressing procedure in criminal cases is devoted to establishing rules and requirements for record keeping. In particular, Chapter 179A sets forth the circumstances under which records can be kept for public safety, the rules for maintaining these records, and the circumstances under which records can be accessed. While these rules address a wide variety of issues, including the creation of records on missing persons, some of the most important information contained within Chapter 179A relates to the rules for criminal records for defendants who have been accused or convicted of a crime.

LV Criminal Defense can provide you with help understanding the rules for criminal records in Nevada, including rules related to when and how your record can be obtained by potential employers and others interested in your criminal history. While the goal of our Nevada defense attorneys is always to help our clients avoid criminal conviction, we also believe it is important to protect the rights of those who have been involved with the criminal justice system and who now have a record that could affect their futures.

Give us a call today to find out how our firm can help you to try to avoid a conviction that leaves you with a record and to discover how we can assist you in protecting yourself if you have a criminal record already.

Nevada General Rules for Criminal Records

Chapter 179A contains many different rules related to criminal records and other records necessary for public safety, but many of the basic building blocks and fundamental elements of these rules are found in the first part of this chapter of the Nevada Code. The first part of this Chapter of the state’s code is devoted to general provisions of the chapter, and it includes definitions that are used throughout the rest of the regulations.

In the general provisions section, which includes Nevada Revised Statutes section 179A.010 to 179A.073, many different words are defined that show up in other regulations about criminal records, including regulations for when information in criminal records can be shared. Some of the definitions found within the General Provisions section of Chapter 179A include:

• A definition of “administration of criminal justice,” which is important because it relates to the circumstances under which records can be created and utilized.
• A definition of “agency of criminal justice,” which must be defined because Nevada laws set forth obligations of criminal justice agencies when it comes to reporting and maintaining criminal records.
• A definition of central repository, which must be defined because Chapter 179A deals with the creation of central repositories where records are kept.
• A definition of child, which is important because the age of both victims and offenders can matter when it comes to the creation and dissemination of a criminal record.
• A definition of dissemination, which is a vital definition because Chapter 179A details the circumstances under which a person’s criminal records can be disseminated.
• A definition of the National Instant Background Check System, which is a system that can be used for background checks to be conducted. When a background check is conducted, a criminal record is provided with relevant details to the party who is conducting the background check.
• An explanation of what it means for an offender to have committed a crime against a child, which must be defined because a conviction for committing crimes with child victims can have a different impact on a defendant’s future than records of conviction for other types of offenses.
• A definition of sexual offense and sexual offender, both of which must be defined because sex offenders are subject to special registration requirements and additional limitations on their freedom.

LV Criminal Defense can explain all of the relevant definitions to you so you better understand the laws associated with your criminal record.

Understanding Your Rights if You Have a Criminal Record

Understanding the basics behind Nevada’s rules on criminal records is important so you will know where your record is being kept, who is responsible for providing information that goes on your criminal record, and how the background check system works so potential employers and other interested parties can see your records.

LV Criminal Defense knows the rules set forth in Chapter 179A inside-and-out. Our strong familiarity with Nevada’s rules for criminal records goes far beyond the general provisions of the law so we can provide comprehensive information and advice to defendants on the entirety of Nevada’s rules related to the records that are kept of their alleged offenses.

Whether you want to understand what a sex offender is, how background checks work or what information is included in a criminal record, we can provide insight and advice that allows you to make fully informed choices. You should work with our legal team as soon as possible when you have questions about your criminal record so we can make certain the laws are being followed and your rights are being respected.