VISITOR / OUT OF STATE / TOURIST ARRESTS
Las Vegas Visitor and Tourist Arrest Attorney
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You've heard the phrase, “What happens in Vegas, stays in Vegas.” But, if you are arrested in Las Vegas, Nevada, you do not want what happened here, to keep you here. Having a dedicated and experienced attorney on your side will help eliminate the chances of you staying in custody in Vegas. Even minor offenses may keep you in jail for much longer than you would expect. Having an attorney on your side fighting for your rights is critical to getting you on your way back home.
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Once you are released from custody, chances are the offense you are charged with will affect your life once you return home. And it may be on your criminal record for years to come. If arrested in Las Vegas, the long term effects of the arrest could follow you for years.
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The best way to try to keep your criminal charge from following you home is to hire an experienced Las Vegas criminal defense attorney who knows the laws and legal system of Las Vegas. The Law Office of Joseph Gersten works hard to identify the best possible outcome for you and your case. We accomplish this by attempting to reduce or eliminate your charges altogether.
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Common Examples of Tourist Arrests
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Nevada Visitor and Tourist Arrest Information Center
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Nevada Laws Most Tourists Do Not Know
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Drinking
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Nevada law (NRS 484C.110, 484B.150, and 458.260), dictate that it is perfectly legal to walk around designated areas of Las Vegas with an open alcoholic beverage. You may also ride in a public vehicle operating for hire with an open beverage. However, it is still illegal to drive under the influence of alcohol, or with an open alcoholic beverage, or to be intoxicated in public.
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Prostitution
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Nevada law (NRS 201.354), also dictates that prostitution is legal in certain rural areas in licensed prostitution houses, but illegal in Las Vegas proper. The Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department, LVMPD, operates many prostitution stings in hotels on a continual basis. Many people are arrested on the mere talk or implication of money for sex.
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Open or Gross Lewdness
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Nevada law (NRS 201.210), Open or Gross Lewdness, is Nevada’s public indecency law. While many states specify exposure of which body parts are publicly indecent, Nevada does not. Therefore, a wide variety of acts in public can fall into this category and lead to your arrest. This can include inappropriate touching of another’s genitalia. As a result, many individuals are arrested in night clubs for touching a stranger's buttocks while dancing without the other person’s consent. And, the defense of being highly intoxicated at the time is not a legal defense to the charge of open and gross lewdness. Furthermore, a charge like this is considered a sex offense and requires that you register as a sex offender.
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What You Should Know if You Arrested As a Tourist in Las Vegas
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Some considerations include:
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Dismissal
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It may be possible to have your charge dismissed or reduced. This depends on the facts of the crime, if you have no other history of criminal charges or criminal record, and you have an experienced attorney who is able to get you a good result.
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Court Appearances
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Usually, if you hire an experienced criminal defense attorney, you will not have to make costly return trips to Las Vegas. For instance, if you are facing a misdemeanor charge, your attorney can appear on your behalf. Your attorney can also usually make arrangements with the court so you will not have to make an appearance until your alleged offense is set for trial.
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Finding the Best Las Vegas Visitor and Tourist Arrest Attorney
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Joseph Gersten works tirelessly to avoid you having to come back to Las Vegas to deal with these situations. He will make as many court appearances as he needs to without you having to fly back to Las Vegas. Sometimes, though you will be required to make the trip back to Las Vegas. Either way, having a criminal defense attorney like Joseph Gersten is critical to making sure this offense does not affect the rest of your life. Call Attorney Joseph Gersten on (702) 857-8777 for a free case evaluation today.