Las Vegas Justice Court

Las Vegas Justice Court has jurisdiction over criminal cases that originate with the Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department and other law enforcement agencies operating in the Las Vegas township — which covers the City of Las Vegas and the surrounding unincorporated areas of Clark County. If LVMPD arrested you, this is almost certainly where your case will be filed.

For misdemeanors and gross misdemeanors, the entire case plays out here. Arraignment, pretrial conferences, motions, plea negotiations, and trial all happen in this courthouse. Common misdemeanor charges include DUI, domestic battery, petit larceny, trespassing, and simple assault.

For felonies, Las Vegas Justice Court handles only the preliminary hearing. At the preliminary hearing, a judge decides whether there is enough evidence to send the case to the Eighth Judicial District Court for trial. If the judge finds probable cause, the case is bound over. If not, the charges are dismissed.

If you are arrested on felony charges by LVMPD, your case begins in Las Vegas Justice Court. You will be arraigned here and a preliminary hearing date will be set. The preliminary hearing must be held within 15 days if you are in custody, or within 15 days of arraignment if you are out of custody (though continuances are common).

At the preliminary hearing, the prosecutor calls witnesses and presents evidence. Your defense attorney cross-examines those witnesses and can argue that the evidence does not meet the probable cause standard. The judge does not decide guilt — only whether there is enough evidence to proceed. The standard is low, and most cases are bound over.

If the case is bound over, it transfers to the Eighth Judicial District Court for a new arraignment, pretrial proceedings, and potentially trial. If the judge does not find probable cause, the charges are dismissed. However, the prosecutor can refile the charges or take the case to a grand jury instead.

Address: Regional Justice Center, 200 Lewis Avenue, Las Vegas, NV 89155. The building is in downtown Las Vegas, between Casino Center Boulevard and 3rd Street, south of Bonneville Avenue.

Parking: There is a parking garage on 3rd Street with access between Clark Avenue and Bonneville Avenue. Street metered parking is available but limited. Paid lots are nearby. Arrive early — the garage fills up on busy court mornings.

Security: You will go through a security checkpoint at the entrance. Metal detectors, bag screening, the same process as an airport. Do not bring weapons, knives, pepper spray, or large bags. Electronics are allowed but must be silenced in the courtroom. Plan for a 10 to 15 minute wait at security during peak hours.

Courtroom etiquette: Silence your phone. No food or drinks in the courtroom. No hats, shorts, or tank tops. Stand when the judge enters and exits. Address the judge as "Your Honor." Do not speak unless the judge or your attorney directs you to. Do not argue with the prosecutor or the judge. Your attorney handles the talking.

Timing: Arrive at least 30 minutes before your hearing. Courts often schedule many cases at the same time, so you may wait an hour or more even if you arrive on time. Do not leave before your case is called — if you are not present when the judge calls your name, a bench warrant will be issued.