NVDAA’s Work In Nevada
The Nevada District Attorneys Association (NVDAA) is committed to supporting prosecutors in their mission and assisting all 17 District Attorney’s Offices in educating the public on the great work being done to ensure the public’s safety. NVDAA believes transparency is key to building trust and awareness is a cornerstone of confidence in the work being done to seek justice, hold criminal defendant’s accountable and protect victims. Nevada’s District Attorneys are a part of every community in our great State, from our most rural counties to our metropolitan areas. The following information is meant to inform the media and members of the public about the work of prosecutors and provide valuable insight into our complex criminal justice system.
FAQs
What is a District Attorney?
In Nevada, District Attorneys are elected by the people every four years and serve as the Chief Law Enforcement Officer within their jurisdiction. There is one District Attorney for each of our State’s 17 counties and candidates for office must be practicing attorneys. Once elected, District Attorneys take an oath of office and are responsible for carrying out the duties required of them by law – NRS 252. Depending on the size of the office, each District Attorney has a number of Deputy District Attorneys they can appoint to carry out the mission of the office. District Attorneys and Deputy District Attorneys may prosecute misdemeanors, gross misdemeanors, or felony criminal cases. They are also called Prosecutors.
What is a Prosecutor?
The role of a prosecutor is multi-faceted. They are administrators of justice, seekers of truth, advocates for the people and officers of the court. Prosecutors take an oath to protect the rights of all people, including victims, witnesses, and criminal defendants.
What do Prosecutors do?
Prosecutors play a critical role in the Criminal Justice System. They are responsible for representing the State in criminal proceedings and tasked with upholding the law. They work closely with local law enforcement and file formal criminal charges against suspects who are accused of a crime. Once a case is charged, prosecutors present them in court and work to ensure justice is served for all involved. Protecting the public’s interests and the rights of victims is central to the work of Nevada’s prosecutors.
What happens after an arrest?
Once a suspect is arrested, the investigating law enforcement agency is responsible for submitting a case to a District Attorney. Once the case is received, a prosecutor is assigned to review the evidence and make a charging decision. If the prosecutor believes there is enough evidence to proceed with a prosecution, he or she files formal criminal charges with the court. If charges are filed, the suspect in the case becomes a defendant and the case proceeds to the next stage.
What are the procedures after an arrest?
Criminal prosecutions are complex and have multiple stages. The link provides a general guideline for reference – 
How can I get more information?
The NVDAA welcomes your questions about the work we do. NVDAA can also provide assistance with general questions about prosecutorial procedures and answer policy questions about issues related to the work of District Attorneys across the state. Please contact the Executive Director by emailing [email protected] or by submitting a contact form through this site.
For information on a specific criminal case, please contact the District Attorney’s Office directly. The list below provides a link to all 17 District Attorney’s Offices in Nevada. Please note, information on active prosecutions is limited by law and by ethical rules of conduct.
Carson City District Attorney
Click here to visit Carson City District Attorney’s Office
Churchill County District Attorney
Click here to visit the Churchill County District Attorney’s Office
Clark County District Attorney
Click here to visit the Clark County District Attorney’s Office
Douglas County District Attorney
Click here to visit the Douglas County District Attorney’s Office
Elko County District Attorney
Click here to visit the Elko County District Attorney’s Office
Esmeralda County District Attorney
Click here to visit the Esmeralda County District Attorney’s Office
Eureka County District Attorney
Click here to visit the Eureka County District Attorney’s Office
Humboldt County District Attorney
Click here to visit the Humboldt County District Attorney’s Office
Lander County District Attorney
Click here to visit the Lander County District Attorney’s Office
Lincoln County District Attorney
Click here to visit the Lincoln County District Attorney’s Office
Lyon County District Attorney
Click here to visit the Lyon County District Attorney’s Office
Mineral County District Attorney
Click here to visit the Mineral County District Attorney’s Office
Nye County District Attorney
Click here to visit the Nye County District Attorney’s Office
Pershing County District Attorney
Click here to visit the Pershing County District Attorney’s Office
Storey County District Attorney
Click here to visit the Storey County District Attorney’s Office
Washoe County District Attorney
Click here to visit the Washoe County District Attorney’s Office
What case information is available?
Requests for the release of case files such as police reports, are managed by the law enforcement agency that produced the record. In general, court records are considered public records and subject to release unless they have been sealed by a court order. Requests for court records should be directed to the County Clerk. For more information on other documents, please contact the agency of record.
Are cameras allowed in courtrooms?
Nevada law allows accredited news organizations to submit requests to videotape/photograph court proceedings. These requests must be submitted to the court directly. District Attorney Offices do not manage these requests