Clark County criminal defense lawyer

Arrested anywhere in Clark County? Attorney Michael Mee defends people facing criminal charges across Las Vegas, Henderson, North Las Vegas, Boulder City, Mesquite, Laughlin, and every unincorporated community in between. Flat fee pricing. Free consultation.

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Michael Mee is one of the best lawyers in town. I would highly recommend him. He was very attentive to my case from day one and we won.

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Clark County covers more than you think

Clark County is the most populated county in Nevada and includes every major city in the Las Vegas metropolitan area. If you were arrested anywhere in the valley, or in the outlying communities, your case falls under Clark County jurisdiction.

Las Vegas

City of Las Vegas and surrounding unincorporated areas including Summerlin, Spring Valley, and the Strip.

Henderson

Nevada's second largest city. Henderson Police Department handles arrests; misdemeanors go to Henderson Municipal Court or Justice Court.

North Las Vegas

Third largest city in the state. North Las Vegas Police handle arrests; misdemeanors within city limits go to North Las Vegas Municipal Court.

Boulder City

Small city southeast of Henderson. Boulder City Police handle arrests; misdemeanors go to Boulder City Municipal Court.

Mesquite

Near the Arizona border. Mesquite Police Department handles arrests; misdemeanors go to Mesquite Municipal Court.

Laughlin & unincorporated areas

LVMPD patrols Laughlin, Primm, Jean, Moapa, and other unincorporated communities. Misdemeanors typically go to the nearest justice court.

Important

The Las Vegas Strip is not in the City of Las Vegas. It is in unincorporated Clark County, patrolled by LVMPD. If you were arrested on the Strip, your misdemeanor case will be in Las Vegas Justice Court, not Las Vegas Municipal Court. The two courts differ in procedure and scheduling.

How the Clark County court system handles criminal cases

Misdemeanor cases split across multiple courts. Felonies all go to one place.

Felonies

Eighth Judicial District Court

Every felony case in Clark County ends up here, regardless of which city or police department made the arrest. Gross misdemeanors are tried here too. The Regional Justice Center in downtown Las Vegas houses the criminal division. This is where felony arraignments, pretrial hearings, motions, plea negotiations, and jury trials take place.

Misdemeanors

Local justice & municipal courts

Misdemeanor cases go to the court that serves the area where the arrest occurred. Gross misdemeanor and felony cases also start in a justice court for the preliminary stage before moving to district court. Las Vegas Justice Court handles the largest volume, followed by Henderson and North Las Vegas. Each court has its own judges, its own calendar, and its own way of moving cases through the system.

Which court handles your misdemeanor, by arrest location

City of Las Vegas

Las Vegas Municipal Court or Las Vegas Justice Court

Las Vegas Strip / unincorporated LVMPD areas

Las Vegas Justice Court

Henderson

Henderson Municipal Court or Henderson Justice Court

North Las Vegas

North Las Vegas Municipal Court or North Las Vegas Justice Court

Boulder City

Boulder City Municipal Court

Mesquite

Mesquite Municipal Court

Laughlin / Primm / other unincorporated areas

Nearest justice court (varies)

Criminal charges defended across Clark County

Michael Mee handles the full range of criminal charges, from misdemeanor citations to the most serious felonies. Tap any charge to learn more.

DUI defense Domestic battery Drug possession Drug trafficking Felony battery Theft charges Assault with a deadly weapon Murder defense Federal crimes Record sealing Appeals Juvenile charges

This is not an exhaustive list. The firm defends nearly every criminal charge under Nevada law. If you have been charged with something not listed here, call and Michael Mee will tell you where you stand.

Flat fee pricing with no hourly billing

You know the fee before the case starts.

One flat fee, quoted up front

We tell you the fee and the scope at the beginning. That fee covers court appearances, motions, negotiations, and communication within the agreed scope. If the scope of the case changes, we talk first and put it in writing. No hourly billing.

Same fee regardless of how long the case takes

Clark County courts are busy. Cases get continued. Prosecutors take time to respond. None of that changes your fee. If your case takes two months or eight months, you pay the same amount.

Payment plans available

We offer payment plans so you can get representation immediately and pay over time. Being arrested should not mean you have to drain your savings before your case even begins.

What to do if you are arrested in Clark County

These steps apply whether LVMPD, Henderson PD, NLV Police, or any other agency made the arrest.

Do not resist the arrest

Resisting arrest is a separate charge that gets added on top of whatever you were originally arrested for. Even if the arrest is unjustified, comply physically. Challenge the arrest in court, not on the street.

Invoke your right to remain silent

Say: 'I am invoking my right to remain silent and I want a lawyer.' Then stop talking. Do not answer questions, do not explain your side, do not try to be helpful. Officers are trained to use your words against you. Body cameras are recording. Anything you say becomes evidence.

Do not consent to searches

If asked to search your car, phone, home, or belongings, say: 'I do not consent to a search.' The officer may search anyway under certain legal exceptions, but your verbal refusal preserves your right to challenge the search later. Consent eliminates that challenge entirely.

Document everything you remember

As soon as possible, write down the time, location, what was said, what happened, which officers were involved, and whether body cameras or dashcams were present. Details fade fast. Your notes will help your attorney evaluate the case and identify constitutional violations.

Call a defense attorney immediately

Call before your court date. The earlier a lawyer gets involved, the more options are available. Evidence can be preserved, witnesses identified, and negotiations can begin before the prosecution has locked in its position. Call 702-990-0190 for a free consultation.

A Clark County conviction affects more than you expect

The sentence the judge imposes is just the beginning. A criminal record creates consequences that follow you for years.

Employment

Most employers in Las Vegas run background checks. A conviction, even a misdemeanor, can cost you a job offer, a promotion, or your current position. This is especially true in gaming, healthcare, education, and government.

Professional licensing

Nevada licensing boards for nurses, real estate agents, contractors, teachers, gaming employees, and many other professions investigate criminal convictions. A single charge can trigger a review that suspends or revokes your license.

Housing

Landlords and property management companies check criminal history. A conviction can make it much harder to rent in Clark County, particularly for drug offenses and crimes involving violence.

Immigration

If you are not a U.S. citizen, a criminal conviction can trigger deportation proceedings, make you inadmissible, or destroy your path to citizenship. Even a misdemeanor plea deal can have devastating immigration consequences. The exact wording of the disposition can decide the immigration outcome.

Gun rights

A felony conviction in Nevada results in the loss of your right to possess firearms. Certain misdemeanor domestic violence convictions also trigger federal firearms prohibitions under the Lautenberg Amendment.

This is why "minor" charges still warrant a real defense. A petty theft conviction might carry no jail time, but it can prevent you from getting a gaming card, passing a background check, or renewing a professional license. The stakes are almost always higher than the charge sheet suggests.

Clark County criminal defense questions

Common questions from people facing criminal charges in Clark County, Nevada.

Frequently asked questions

It depends on two things: where you were arrested and what you are charged with. Misdemeanor charges are handled by the justice court or municipal court that covers the area where the arrest occurred: Las Vegas Justice Court, Henderson Municipal Court, North Las Vegas Municipal Court, North Las Vegas Justice Court, Boulder City Municipal Court, Laughlin Justice Court, or Mesquite Municipal Court. All felony charges in Clark County go through the Eighth Judicial District Court in downtown Las Vegas, regardless of where the arrest took place.

The Strip is located in unincorporated Clark County and is patrolled by the Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department. Misdemeanor charges from Strip arrests go to Las Vegas Justice Court. Felony charges go to the Eighth Judicial District Court. Despite its name, the Strip is not technically within the City of Las Vegas. It falls under county jurisdiction.

We use flat fee pricing. You get a quoted fee and a written scope before your case begins. Court appearances, motions, negotiations, phone calls, and research within that scope are covered, and the fee does not change unless the scope of the case changes and you agree to it. No hourly billing. The specific fee depends on the charge and its complexity. Call for a free consultation and Michael Mee will give you a flat fee quote on the call.

The Eighth Judicial District Court is the general jurisdiction trial court for Clark County. It handles all felony criminal cases in the county, plus civil matters, family law, and probate. In criminal cases, this is where felony arraignments, pretrial conferences, motions, plea negotiations, and jury trials happen. The courthouse is located at the Regional Justice Center in downtown Las Vegas.

In most cases, yes. Nevada law permits record sealing for the majority of criminal convictions after a waiting period. The length of the waiting period depends on the category of offense, ranging from immediate sealing for dismissed cases and acquittals, to seven years for certain serious offenses. The firm handles the entire process: pulling your criminal history, preparing and filing the petition, notifying the necessary agencies, and attending any required hearings.

Stay calm, do not resist, and exercise your right to remain silent. Tell the officer you want a lawyer and stop talking. Do not consent to searches of your vehicle, phone, or belongings. Once you are released or have access to a phone, call a criminal defense attorney immediately. The earlier a lawyer is involved, the more can be done. Evidence can be preserved, witnesses can be identified, and defense strategy can begin before the prosecution builds its case.

Yes. Michael Mee defends clients throughout Clark County, including Henderson, Boulder City, Mesquite, Laughlin, and all unincorporated areas. Each of these jurisdictions has its own court for misdemeanor cases. Felony cases from any of these areas are handled in the Eighth Judicial District Court.

The Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department patrols both the City of Las Vegas and the surrounding unincorporated areas of Clark County, including the Strip, Summerlin, Spring Valley, Sunrise Manor, Whitney, and Enterprise. If you are arrested by LVMPD in an unincorporated area, misdemeanor charges typically go to Las Vegas Justice Court. Felony charges go to the Eighth Judicial District Court.

Yes. Las Vegas Justice Court handles misdemeanors, which carry up to 6 months in jail and a $1,000 fine (NRS 193.150), and the early stages of felony and gross misdemeanor cases. Gross misdemeanors (up to 364 days and $2,000) and felonies are tried in the Eighth Judicial District Court. The two courts have different judges, different procedures, and different levels of complexity. Your charge determines which court you end up in.

Yes. A criminal conviction in Clark County can trigger consequences well beyond the sentence the judge imposes. Employers run background checks. Professional licensing boards (including those for nurses, real estate agents, contractors, teachers, and gaming employees) investigate criminal history and can suspend or revoke licenses. Even a misdemeanor conviction can cause problems. That is why fighting the charge or negotiating a reduced outcome is worth the effort, even when the potential jail time seems minor.

Facing charges in Clark County

Free consultation. Michael Mee will review your charges, explain your options, and quote a flat fee for any Clark County court. Office hours are Monday–Friday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. After-hours calls are answered for urgent matters.

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Tap any topic for the full guide.

North Las Vegas criminal defense lawyer DUI defense Domestic battery Drug possession Drug trafficking Record sealing Appeals Flat fee pricing The arrest process

Page last updated October 6, 2026. Written by Michael Mee, Nevada Bar No. 13726.

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