Nevada Record Sealing — Done Right.

Nevada does not use expungement as the standard remedy for most criminal cases. The remedy people are usually referring to is record sealing. When a record is sealed, it is removed from most public background checks and you can lawfully deny the sealed case in most situations. Sealing does not rewrite history, and certain government agencies may still access sealed records in limited circumstances.

Eligibility depends on the type of offense and the required waiting period. For your consultation, try to identify the courts and case numbers tied to each record you want sealed. The waiting period generally runs from when the case was closed or the sentence was completed, not the date of conviction. Once we have the case details, we can map out eligibility and a filing plan.

Nevada record sealing is typically handled as a complete package. If you have a newer case that is still pending, that can block sealing of an older record that would otherwise be eligible on its own. A common example is an older DUI that looks eligible, but a newer misdemeanor is still open. In that situation, you usually have to wait until the newer case is completed and eligible before sealing the older case.

Most cases take 4 to 6 months. Contested or complex cases can run up to 12. The timeline is almost entirely agency wait time, not attorney work time. DPS takes 6 to 8 weeks to process the fingerprint card and return the criminal history report. The prosecutor's office takes another 6 to 8 weeks to review and sign the stipulation. The judge typically signs within 1 to 4 weeks after that. Agencies then have to comply with the order, which takes another 1 to 4 weeks. Your part — signing forms and getting fingerprinted — takes about a week at the start, and then you wait.

No. We run the process. The client side is usually limited to a short intake, signing paperwork, and helping us identify prior case numbers and courts if you have them. We obtain the DPS related items and handle drafting, filing, service, and follow through.

Record sealing removes eligible cases from most public background checks, including those used by employers, landlords, and consumer reporting agencies. In most situations, you are legally allowed to deny the existence of sealed cases. Sealing protects your privacy for employment and housing, and it prevents embarrassing or outdated information from remaining publicly searchable. For rental and lease screenings in particular, sealed cases are hidden from the databases landlords typically rely on.

Record sealing has limits. It does not restore firearm rights if those rights were lost due to a felony or domestic violence conviction. It does not eliminate immigration consequences, and sealed cases may still be considered by immigration authorities. Sealing also does not erase guilt. If you have future contact with law enforcement or the courts, sealed convictions can still be seen and considered internally. Professional licensing can also be complicated. Many licensing boards require voluntary disclosure of prior criminal matters even if they have been sealed, and failing to disclose when required can create licensing problems.

The most common issues we discover partway through the process involve unpaid jail fees, probation fees, or house arrest costs. These usually can be fixed as long as they are paid promptly once identified. Other delays can come from clerical or legibility issues, such as fingerprints that cannot be read by the Department of Public Safety. A new arrest or criminal case after you hire us is another major issue. If a new case is filed while the sealing is in progress, it can reset eligibility timelines and may prevent completion of the sealing until the new matter is resolved. When issues arise, we work with the client to resolve them or minimize delay whenever possible.

A criminal history report is the official record maintained by the Nevada Department of Public Safety that lists arrests, charges, and case outcomes tied to your fingerprints. Courts and prosecutors rely on this report to confirm eligibility and accuracy before agreeing to seal records. Obtaining and reviewing this report is a required step in the record sealing process, and errors or omissions must be addressed before filing.

A SCOPE report is a Clark County specific criminal history record that supplements the statewide DPS criminal history. It helps identify cases that may not appear clearly on other records and ensures nothing is missed. When required, it allows us to verify case information, confirm eligibility timelines, and prepare a complete and accurate petition.

A Petition to Seal Records is the formal legal filing asking the court to order criminal justice agencies to seal eligible cases. It lays out the case history, establishes eligibility, and identifies every agency that must comply with the order. When appropriate, the petition is submitted with a stipulation signed by the prosecuting agency, which streamlines the court's review.

In the overwhelming majority of cases we handle, the court is required to grant record sealing once eligibility is properly established and the prosecuting agency has signed a stipulation. As long as the waiting periods are correctly calculated and the petition is accurate, the court will issue the order to seal. Denials are rare and usually tied to eligibility errors or unresolved issues, which is why correct sequencing and careful review matter.

No. The waiting period establishes eligibility — it does not trigger any action on its own. Nothing changes on your record until you file a petition with the court and obtain a signed sealing order. If you became eligible years ago and never filed, your record is still fully visible. The process only starts when you initiate it.

An objection from the District Attorney does not automatically end the case. Under NRS 179.2445, there is a legal presumption in favor of sealing once eligibility is established. If the DA objects, the court holds a hearing where both sides present their positions. The DA has to overcome that presumption with evidence — the burden is not on you to prove you deserve it. An objection makes the case longer and harder, but it does not mean the petition will be denied. Plan for 6 to 12 months if the case is contested.

No. NRS 179.285 expressly excludes firearm rights from the civil rights restored by sealing. If your right to possess a firearm was lost due to a felony conviction or a domestic violence conviction, sealing will not restore it. Firearm rights require a pardon from the Nevada Board of Pardons Commissioners, which is a separate and significantly more difficult process. Sealing does restore other civil rights — including the right to vote, serve on a jury, and hold public office — immediately upon the order being issued.

Your part of the intake is straightforward. We need a copy of your driver's license, your place of birth, a completed Nevada DPS 06 Criminal History Request form, and a signed and notarized limited power of attorney. That is typically everything we ask of you for the entire case. We handle fingerprint coordination, pull the criminal history, draft the petition, and manage everything from there.

Yes, in limited circumstances. Under NRS 179.295, a court may order a sealed record reopened upon a sufficient showing. The most common scenario is a subsequent criminal proceeding where the prosecution demonstrates that newly discovered evidence connects the person to a similar offense. It can also occur when someone applies for certain positions — law enforcement agencies, the Gaming Control Board, and the Division of Insurance all retain statutory access to sealed records in defined contexts. For most people in most situations, a sealed record stays sealed.

It depends on whether the DUI is a felony or a non-felony. A non-felony DUI conviction is eligible for sealing after a 7-year waiting period from the date the case was closed or the sentence was completed. A felony DUI cannot be sealed under Nevada law regardless of how much time passes. If your DUI was dismissed or you were acquitted, there is no waiting period and you can petition immediately. We can review your case and confirm exactly where you stand.

Most felonies can be sealed, but the waiting periods are longer than for misdemeanors. Category E felonies require 2 years. Category B, C, and D felonies require 5 years. Category A felonies, crimes of violence under NRS 202.876, and burglary require 10 years. The main exceptions that cannot be sealed at all are felony DUI convictions, sexual offenses, crimes against children under NRS 179D.0357, and home invasion with a deadly weapon. If you have a felony and are not sure whether it is sealable or how much longer the wait is, a consultation is the fastest way to find out.

Four categories are permanently ineligible regardless of time: felony DUI convictions, sexual offenses, crimes against children as defined under NRS 179D.0357, and home invasion with a deadly weapon. Category A felonies are not permanently ineligible — they require a 10-year waiting period but can be sealed once that period has passed. If you have an ineligible conviction alongside other sealable records, the ineligible record cannot be sealed, but we can assess whether the eligible records can be addressed separately.