Probation and Parole Violations in Nevada (N.R.S. 176A.400) | Half Price Lawyers

Probation and Parole Violations in Nevada (N.R.S. 176A.400)

What is Parole and How Does it Work?

Parole is a form of what’s considered “conditional freedom” for a prisoner. When the prisoner comes out from behind bars, he or she is required to adhere to a set of responsibilities and standards which, if not followed, will lead to the parolee returning back into custody.

The Basics of Parole in Nevada

The most common form of parole is called “mandatory parole” and comes after the defendant’s prison sentence. Under the traditional parole system, parole is considered a privilege for a reformed prisoner deemed capable of integrating back into society without being a threat.

Oftentimes, the prison authority will supervise the parole through mandated visits with a parole office. These visits are to ensure the released prisoner is integrating properly and living up to the agreed-upon standards/responsibilities set forth by the court (i.e., the parole officer makes sure the parolee stays out of trouble!)

Parole is also helpful as it prevents prisons from being overcrowded with offenders who are unlikely to cause harm to others in society but would benefit from having some additional supervised time before they are fully released.

Parolee Conditions

Though each parolee’s conditions and responsibilities will vary, some common parole conditions are the parolee must:

  • Maintain employment
  • Maintain a residence
  • Attend drug or alcohol recovery meetings if needed
  • Avoid criminal activity
  • Avoid contact with victims
  • Remain within certain geographical areas unless permitted to leave by the parole officer
  • Refrain from drug use

The parole officer is often granted permission to make unannounced visits to the parolee’s home to check that he/she is abiding by the conditions set forth. Often times, if the offense is drug related, the parolee may have to succumb to random drug tests as well.

Nevada Department of Public Safety Philosophy

As per the Nevada Department of Public Safety Parole and Probation website1, parolees are given “the opportunity to practice good citizenship… those offenders who choose not to become good citizens [are] subject to arrest and revocation of their supervision… [and] will result in incarnation.”

Each offender is reassessed every six months to determine if the level of supervision is appropriate or if it can be decreased (or needs to be increased.) There are multiple units within the division that supervise various offenders: sex offenders, house arrest offenders, gang members, mandatory release parolees, drug court and mental health court and interstate compact offenders.

It is both the philosophy and practice of the division that “each offender is responsible for his or her behavior and for the choices they make each day.”

Who Has to Register and When?

Specific crimes require the parolee to register with the State. As per the Nevada Department of Public Safety2, those crimes are the following:

Nevada Law requires all individuals that have been convicted of a sex offense after July 1, 1956, to register as a sex offender with the local law enforcement agency in which the offender resides. Per NRS 179D.4103, the following crimes (including an attempt or conspiracy to commit such crimes) are sex offenses that require registration:

  • Abuse of a child pursuant to NRS 200.5084, if the abuse involved sexual abuse or sexual exploitation
  • Administration of a controlled substance to another person with the intent to enable or assist the commission of a crime of violence according to NRS 200.4085, if the crime of violence is an offense listed in this section
  • Administration of a drug to another person with the intent to enable or assist the commission of a felony under NRS 200.4056, if the felony is an offense listed in this section
  • Battery with intent to commit sexual assault pursuant to NRS 200.4007
  • Indecent or obscene exposure according to NRS 201.2208
  • Incest pursuant to NRS 201.1809
  • Lewdness with a child according to NRS 201.23010
  • Luring a child or mentally ill person under NRS 201.56011, if punished as a felony
  • Murder of the first degree committed in the perpetration or attempted perpetration of sexual assault or sexual abuse or sexual molestation of a child less than 14 years of age pursuant to paragraph (b) of subsection 1 of NRS 200.03012
  • Open or gross lewdness according to NRS 201.21013
  • Pornography of a minor under NRS 200.710 to 73014, inclusive
  • Sexual assault pursuant to NRS 200.36615
  • Sexually motivated offense according to NRS 175.547 or 19316
  • Sexual penetration of a dead human body pursuant to NRS 201.45017
  • Solicitation of a minor to engage in acts constituting the infamous crime against nature under NRS 201.195 18
  • Statutory sexual seduction according to NRS 200.36819
  • Out of State Offenses – An offense committed in another jurisdiction that, if committed in this State, would be an offense listed in this section must register.

There are specific rules and guidelines for registering, which can be found at the website mentioned above or by discussing the specifics of the case with a qualified attorney. For clarity, it is always best to consult with an experienced parolee attorney rather than collect general information from a website.

Parole Violations

Parole violations in Nevada are conducted by a department called the State Board of Parole Commissioners. This board will determine whether the parolee has violated the terms of their release. If they have, they may be ordered to return to prison to serve the remainder of their sentence or ordered to stay at home under extreme supervision.

Parole violation hearings allow defendants to testify on their own behalf or to be represented by an attorney. However, unlike jury trials, parole violation hearings are not required to find beyond a reasonable doubt that the defendant violated his/her parole. Instead, there must only be substantial evidence.

The Difference Between Parole and Probation

Parole and probation are two different things. As mentioned at the start of this article, parole is when an inmate is released early from prison, under certain conditions, in an attempt to peacefully and responsibly re-integrate into society. In contrast, defendants on probation may be able to avoid going to jail/prison at all.

If someone is convicted of a crime, they may have the opportunity to go on probation and have their jail/prison sentence suspended entirely.

Some common conditions of probation may include:

  • Staying home between certain hours, such as 9 pm and 5 am
  • Wearing a SCRAM alcohol detection bracelet
  • Wearing an electronic monitoring device
  • Attending rehab
  • Frequent check-ins with a probation officer
  • Paying fines and restitution
  • Submitting to warrantless police searches and seizures
  • Counseling
  • Community service
  • Random drug testing
  • Regular court appearances
  • Educational classes

Sometimes it’s possible to receive early termination of probation. Speak with a qualified attorney regarding the specifics of the defendant’s case to determine if this is possible under the circumstances.

What To Do if Your Unable To Fulfill Terms of Probation

Assuming the defendant follows the terms of probation, he or she can remain out of custody. However, if the defendant violates any of the agreed-upon terms, the judge can sentence him or her to serve out the suspended jail/prison sentence.

If a probation sentence is violated, the defendant will go to court for a hearing. Much like a parole violation hearing, there is a much lower burden of proof. If you’re unable to fulfill your terms of probation, speak to an experienced probation attorney to understand your rights and explore options that will help you adhere to your probation terms.

Revoking Probation in Nevada

Probation revocation hearings are held to determine whether or not a parolee violated the terms of probation. In these hearings, prosecutors only need to prove a preponderance of evidence rather than beyond a reasonable doubt that probation was violated. There is no jury present, so the judge will rule by reinstating your probation, modifying your probation or completely revoking probation.

In order to protect your rights and keep favorable probation terms, consider working with a probation attorney who has experience and knowledge of these hearings.

Legal References:

1Nevada Department of Public Safety. Parole and Probation. Retrieved 6 April 2021 from http://npp.dps.nv.gov/

2Nevada Department of Public Safety. Crime Requiring Sex Offender Registration. Retrieved 6 April 2021 from http://npp.dps.nv.gov/Home/Offender_Supervision/Crimes_Requiring_Registration/

3NRS 179D.410

4NRS 200.508

5NRS 200.408

6NRS 200.405

7NRS 200.400

8NRS 201.220

9NRS 201.180

10NRS 201.230

11NRS 201.560

12NRS 200.030

13NRS 201.210

14NRS 200.710 to NRS 200.730

15NRS 200.366

16NRS 175.547 or NRS 207.193

17NRS 201.450

18NRS 201.195

19NRS 200.368