Not all criminal charges in Nevada are created equal. Some are hard-set felonies, and others are clear-cut misdemeanors. But then there's a third kind—something in between. These are called “wobblers.”

At Liberators Criminal Defense, we understand that your future can hinge not just on whether you're found guilty or not, but on how your charge is categorized. In the right hands, a wobbler can wobble your way into a second chance.

What Is a Wobbler Offense?

A “wobbler” is a criminal charge that can be prosecuted either as a felony or as a misdemeanor, depending on the circumstances and, just as importantly, the discretion of the prosecutor or judge. The exact same conduct might land someone in prison—or just in municipal court for community service—depending on how it's charged and resolved.

Nevada law doesn't always call them “wobblers” explicitly, but many statutes are written in a way that allows for dual classification. The idea is that the punishment should fit not only the crime, but also the individual: their history, their intent, the specifics of what happened.

Common Wobbler Crimes in Nevada

Some of the most frequent wobbler charges include:

– Battery domestic violence with strangulation
– Possession of a controlled substance
– Certain theft offenses
– Unlawful use of a hotel key or access device
– Statutory sexual seduction (when the accused is under 21)

Take possession of a controlled substance, for instance. A small amount of cocaine or pills might technically qualify as a felony. But for someone with no prior record, the court may agree to reduce it to a misdemeanor upon completion of a drug program or a plea negotiation. That's the wobble.

Why Wobblers Matter

Here's the truth: having a felony on your record can haunt you for life. It can cost you jobs, housing, gun rights, professional licenses, immigration status, and more. By contrast, a misdemeanor—even a serious one—can be sealed more quickly, carries less stigma, and rarely has the same collateral damage.

If your attorney can negotiate your case down from a felony to a misdemeanor, or convince the judge to reduce the conviction at sentencing, you walk away with your civil rights and your future intact. In many cases, we're even able to get the misdemeanor sealed after a short waiting period.

That's not mercy. That's strategy.

How the Right Lawyer Makes the Difference

The wobble doesn't happen automatically. It takes a sharp, persistent defense attorney who knows which arguments matter to a prosecutor, when to push for negotiations, and how to package mitigation. In some cases, you might even be eligible for what's called a deferred adjudication, where the charge gets dismissed entirely if you follow court orders.

At Liberators Criminal Defense, we've had success turning likely felony convictions into minor misdemeanors—or nothing at all. We look at your case the way a prosecutor does, then outmaneuver them.