Blogs from January, 2019

Many visitors flock to Las Vegas, Reno, and other cities throughout Nevada to not only enjoy gambling, but also participate in the nightlife--including paying for sexual favors.

Although Nevada is the only state in the country where prostitution is legal, it is only permitted in certain areas. Counties with a population of no larger than 700,000 people can operate a few brothels or so, depending on the specific laws of each one.

Prostitution is legal in only the following Nevada counties:

1. Churchill County
2. Elko County
3. Esmeralda County
4. Lander County
5. Lyon County
6. Mineral County
7. Nye County
8. Storey County
9. White Pine County

Legal prostitution is found in licensed brothels in the counties mentioned above. Licensed brothels and in-house prostitutes must follow specific rules such as prostitutes must at least be 18 years of age and employed under their own power, submit to routine STD and HIV testing, use condoms. Brothels are prohibited from being located within 400 yards of a school or house of worship or on a principal street, and cannot advertise in a county where prostitution is illegal.

Is Prostitution Legal in Reno, Nevada?

No, prostitution is not legal in Washoe County, which means it is illegal in Reno. Prostitution is also considered illegal in Clark County, home of Las Vegas. Outside of licensed brothels in other counties in Nevada, solicitation of prostitution or engaging in prostitution is subject to criminal penalties.

According to state law, prostitution is defined as making sexual contact with another individual in exchange for money or another item of value. Sexual contact includes intercourse, oral sex, or sexual touching. Solicitation means offering or agreeing to make sexual contact with a prostitute for a fee.

Both engaging and soliciting prostitution outside of a licensed house is a misdemeanor offense subject to a jail sentence and costly fines. However, if an individual solicits prostitution from a person under 18 years old, it is considered a Class E felony, which carries a prison term of up to four years and a maximum fine of $5,000.

It is also against the law to arrange, induce, or otherwise force another person to illegally engage in prostitution or enter a legal prostitution county to do so. This is known as pandering, which is a Class C felony punishable by a maximum five-year prison sentence and a fine no larger than $10,000.

If you have been arrested for soliciting or engaging in prostitution, contact our Reno criminal defense attorney at the Law Offices of Kenneth A. Stover today.

From enjoying the nightlife in Las Vegas to gambling in Reno or vacationing in Lake Tahoe, Nevada has plenty of fun activities to offer its visitors. Unfortunately, some tourists end up being arrested for criminal offenses, which means there is a significant possibility of having to travel back and forth from their home state or country back to Nevada.

If you are a visitor in Reno or Nevada in general and are currently facing criminal charges, it is in your best interest to obtain a local criminal defense attorney to protect your rights and freedom. A local lawyer can evaluate your case, determine all available legal options, inform you of the penalties upon conviction, and help you obtain the best possible outcome.

Furthermore, and perhaps the most important reason to obtain local counsel, you DO NOT have to show up for your court dates in Nevada if you are represented by a local lawyer. If you were arrested and bailed out of jail, your bail bondsman informed you that you are required to attend every court hearing to avoid bondsman fees, a bench warrant, and incarceration. The bondsman is also supposed to tell you that an attorney can appear on your behalf on most court hearings.

The initial court hearing--known as arraignment--is when the defendant pleads “guilty,” “not guilty,” or “no contest” to the alleged criminal charges. From there another court hearing is scheduled, which either consists of plea deal negotiations or a trial date if both parties cannot reach a plea bargain.

This first hearing is often brief and not the best opportunity to argue your case. It is wise to save time and money by staying at home, while a local lawyer appears for you at your initial court appearance. The best case scenario is that you never have to return to Nevada at all for any subsequent hearings.

Keep in mind, this often applies to misdemeanor criminal charges such as DUI, public intoxication, simple battery, destruction of property, or trespassing. Fortunately, this also applies to felony charges as well, including drug possession and casino-related crimes.

If you have been arrested for a crime in Reno or Lake Tahoe and do not reside in the area, contact our experienced criminal defense attorney at the Law Offices of Kenneth A. Stover today.