Clark County Public Records /Clark County Criminal Records

Clark County Criminal Records

What Is Clark County Criminal Records

Criminal records in Clark County, Nevada encompass official documentation of an individual's interactions with the criminal justice system within the county jurisdiction. These records are maintained pursuant to Nevada Revised Statutes § 179A, which defines criminal history records as information collected by criminal justice agencies on individuals consisting of identifiable descriptions, notations of arrests, detentions, indictments, or other formal criminal charges and any dispositions arising therefrom.

Clark County criminal records include several distinct categories:

Arrest Records: Documentation of when an individual is taken into custody by law enforcement, which may not necessarily result in charges or conviction
Conviction Records: Official records of guilty verdicts or pleas, whether through trial or plea agreement
Felony Records: Documentation of serious crimes punishable by imprisonment of more than one year
Misdemeanor Records: Records of less serious offenses typically punishable by fines or imprisonment of less than one year
Adult Records: Criminal proceedings for individuals 18 and older, which are generally public
Juvenile Records: Records for individuals under 18, which are typically sealed and not accessible to the public
Active Warrants: Current orders for arrest issued by courts
Historical Records: Past criminal justice interactions, including dismissed cases

Multiple agencies maintain these records within Clark County's criminal justice system:

Clark County Sheriff's Office
330 S. 3rd Street, Suite 100
Las Vegas, NV 89101
(702) 455-5400
Clark County Sheriff Civil

Clark County District Court
200 Lewis Avenue
Las Vegas, NV 89155
(702) 671-0700
Clark County District Court

Nevada State Police Records, Communications and Compliance Division
333 West Nye Lane, Suite 100
Carson City, NV 89706
(775) 684-6262
Nevada State Police Records Division

Criminal records typically contain documentation of the entire criminal justice process, including charges filed, arraignments, plea proceedings, trial information, sentencing details, and probation or parole status. The comprehensive nature of these records serves both law enforcement and public safety purposes as outlined in Nevada Revised Statutes § 179A.100.

Are Criminal Records Public In Clark County

Criminal records in Clark County are generally considered public information under the Nevada Public Records Act (NRS Chapter 239), which establishes the presumption that government records are open to public inspection unless specifically declared confidential by law. NRS 239.010 states that "all public books and public records of a governmental entity, the contents of which are not otherwise declared by law to be confidential, must be open at all times during office hours to inspection by any person."

The public status of criminal records varies by category:

Public Records:
- Adult conviction records
- Court proceedings and case files for adults
- Booking information and mugshots
- Sex offender registry information
- Inmate custody status and release dates
Restricted Records:
- Ongoing criminal investigations
- Sealed or expunged records
- Juvenile records (with limited exceptions)
- Records sealed pursuant to NRS 179.245
- Records containing personal identifying information protected by privacy laws
- Grand jury proceedings

The Nevada Supreme Court has consistently upheld the public's right to access court records, noting in Donrey of Nevada v. Bradshaw (1990) that "access to public records is a fundamental right of the press and the public." However, this right is balanced against privacy interests and the need to protect certain sensitive information.

Law enforcement agencies in Clark County maintain discretion over the release of certain investigative records, particularly those pertaining to ongoing cases. Additionally, the Nevada Criminal History Repository restricts access to complete criminal history reports to authorized agencies and individuals with proper identification and purpose.

Individuals seeking access to their own criminal records have broader rights than the general public under both state law and the federal Privacy Act of 1974. This includes the right to review personal criminal history information and challenge inaccuracies through established procedures.

How To Look Up Criminal Records In Clark County in 2026

Members of the public seeking criminal records in Clark County may utilize several methods to access this information. The county provides multiple avenues for record retrieval, depending on the specific information needed and its intended use.

For in-person requests, individuals may visit:

Clark County District Court Records
Regional Justice Center
200 Lewis Avenue
Las Vegas, NV 89155
(702) 671-0700
Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM - 4:00 PM

When requesting records in person, requestors should:

Complete the public records request form available at the clerk's counter
Provide specific case information (name, case number, date of birth)
Present valid government-issued photo identification
Pay applicable fees (currently $0.50 per page for copies)

For online searches, Clark County offers several official portals:

The Clark County Justice Court Case Search provides access to justice court cases
The Las Vegas Township Justice Court Records Inquiry system allows searches of criminal and civil cases
The Clark County Inmate Search provides current custody information

For comprehensive criminal history reports, individuals must submit requests to:

Nevada State Police Records, Communications and Compliance Division
333 West Nye Lane, Suite 100
Carson City, NV 89706
(775) 684-6262

This process requires:

Submission of a completed DPS Public Records Request Form
Fingerprint cards (for complete criminal history checks)
Payment of required fees (currently $27.00 for a standard record check)
Valid identification

Pursuant to NRS 179A.100, certain criminal history information may only be released to authorized agencies or the subject of the record. Third-party requests for complete criminal histories are generally limited to conviction information only.

How To Find Criminal Records in Clark County Online?

Clark County provides several online portals for accessing criminal records electronically. Each system contains different types of records and requires specific search parameters.

The Clark County Justice Court Case Search offers public access to justice court cases throughout Clark County. Users must:

Accept the terms of use agreement
Enter search criteria (name, case number, citation number)
Select the appropriate court jurisdiction
Review results showing case numbers, filing dates, charges, and case status

The system provides case summaries, hearing dates, and disposition information but does not include complete case files or documents.

The Las Vegas Township Justice Court Records Inquiry system focuses specifically on Las Vegas Justice Court cases. This portal allows users to:

Search criminal and civil records
View court calendars
Access traffic citation information
Make payments on eligible cases

For current custody information, the Clark County Inmate Search database provides:

Current inmate roster
Booking information
Scheduled release dates
Bail amounts
Charges

The Nevada Judiciary website offers access to district court information, including:

Case calendars
Court locations
Filing information
Some case documents

For appellate cases, the Nevada Appellate Courts provide a searchable database of Supreme Court and Court of Appeals cases.

Limitations of online searches include:

Records prior to digitization (generally pre-2000) may not be available
Complete case files typically require in-person requests
Some sensitive information is redacted from online records
Registration may be required for certain detailed searches
Some systems charge access fees for document retrieval

Users should note that online records may not include sealed or expunged cases, and information about record sealing procedures is available through the Clark County District Attorney's Office.

Can You Search Clark County Criminal Records for Free?

Clark County provides several options for free access to criminal records, consistent with Nevada's public records laws. Under NRS 239.052, government agencies may charge fees for copying records but must allow free inspection of public records during regular business hours.

Free in-person inspection is available at:

Clark County District Court Records
Regional Justice Center
200 Lewis Avenue
Las Vegas, NV 89155
Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM - 4:00 PM

Las Vegas Justice Court
Regional Justice Center
200 Lewis Avenue
Las Vegas, NV 89155
Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM - 4:00 PM

Several free online resources include:

The Clark County Justice Court Case Search provides basic case information at no cost
The Las Vegas Township Justice Court Records Inquiry offers free searches of criminal and civil cases
The Clark County Inmate Search database provides current custody information without charge

These free resources typically include:

Case numbers and filing dates
Party names
Charge information
Court dates and times
Case status and disposition
Basic inmate information

However, certain limitations apply to free searches:

Document copies typically incur fees ($0.50 per page is standard)
Certified copies have additional charges
Complete criminal history reports from the Nevada Criminal History Repository require payment
Research assistance from staff may incur fees for extensive requests
Commercial record providers charge for their services

The Nevada Supreme Court has established that while inspection of records is free, reasonable fees may be charged for reproduction costs, as outlined in NRS 239.055.

What's Included in a Clark County Criminal Record?

Clark County criminal records contain comprehensive information documenting an individual's interactions with the criminal justice system. These records typically include several categories of information:

Identifying Information:

Full legal name and known aliases
Date of birth and age
Physical description (height, weight, eye/hair color)
Mugshot or booking photograph
Last known address
State Identification (SID) number
FBI number (if applicable)
Fingerprint classification

Arrest Information:

Date and time of arrest
Arresting agency and officer
Booking number and facility
Initial charges filed
Bail or bond amount
Detention facility information
Arrest circumstances summary

Court Case Information:

Case number and court of jurisdiction
Filing date and case type
Formal charges and applicable statutes
Classification of offenses (felony/misdemeanor)
Plea information
Attorney representation details
Judge assigned to the case
Hearing dates and proceedings

Disposition Information:

Verdict or case outcome
Conviction date (if applicable)
Sentencing details:
- Incarceration length
- Probation terms
- Fines and court costs
- Restitution orders
- Special conditions
Appeal information
Probation/parole status and violations

Additional Information:

Active warrants or pending charges
Protective or restraining orders
Sex offender registration requirements
DUI/DWI history
Traffic violations connected to criminal cases
Prior criminal history references

The comprehensiveness of records varies based on the maintaining agency and case status. Court records maintained by the Clark County District Court typically contain the most complete case documentation, while law enforcement records focus more on arrest and booking details.

Pursuant to NRS 179A.070, criminal justice agencies must maintain accurate and complete criminal history records. However, certain information may be redacted from public versions of these records, including social security numbers, victim information, and other sensitive personal data.

How Long Does Clark County Keep Criminal Records?

Clark County maintains criminal records according to retention schedules established under Nevada law and administrative regulations. The duration of record retention varies based on record type, offense severity, and outcome of the case.

Under Nevada Administrative Code § 239.165, government agencies must establish records retention schedules that comply with minimum retention periods. For criminal records, these periods typically include:

Felony Case Files:
- Capital cases and homicides: Permanent retention
- Other felonies: 25 years after case closure
- Sexual offenses: 75 years after case closure
Misdemeanor Case Files:
- DUI/DWI cases: 10 years after case closure
- Domestic violence: 10 years after case closure
- Other misdemeanors: 5 years after case closure
Arrest Records:
- Felony arrests: 25 years from date of arrest
- Misdemeanor arrests: 5 years from date of arrest
- Arrests without charges filed: 5 years from date of arrest
Court Records:
- Trial transcripts in felony cases: 25 years
- Court dockets: Permanent retention
- Judgment and sentencing orders: Permanent retention
Probation/Parole Records:
- Felony probation: 10 years after discharge
- Misdemeanor probation: 5 years after discharge

The Nevada State Library, Archives and Public Records oversees the state's records management program and provides guidance to county agencies on proper retention practices. While many records have defined retention periods, certain records—particularly those with historical significance or involving serious offenses—may be maintained permanently.

It's important to note that record retention is distinct from record accessibility. Records may exist in county archives but be sealed from public view pursuant to court orders under NRS 179.245, which provides for the sealing of criminal records under specific circumstances.

Digital records management systems have extended the practical retention of many criminal records beyond minimum requirements, as electronic storage has reduced the physical constraints that previously limited record retention.