Age of Consent
The age of consent in Nevada is 16 years. This means that a 16-year-old is legally able to consent to having a sexual relationship with someone that is 16 years of age or older. The parents of the child do not have a legal say in the matter and do not have to consent to the relationship. However, if the parents are against the relationship and order their child not to leave the house or to see the other person, and the other person encourages the child to disobey the parents, and the other person is 18 years of age or older, then this person can be charged with Contributing to the Delinquency of a Minor, which is a misdemeanor. NRS 201.110
If an adult, 18 years of age or older, has a sexual relationship with a child under the age of 16, the adult can be charged with Statutory Sexual Seduction.
- If the adult is 18-21 years of age, the crime is a gross misdemeanor.
- If the adult is 21 years of age or older, the crime is a C Felony.
Certain provisions for DUI and Juveniles
Consequences for Driving Under the Influence include probation supervision, driver's license suspensions, fines, community service or work crew, substance abuse evaluation, and DUI school. For more information, please see Nevada Revised Statute 62E.640
Common Juvenile Offenses
Juveniles, ages 10 – 17 years, found violating any of the following laws could be subject to probation supervision, fines, driver’s license suspension, and/or community service or work crew.
- Destruction of Property-Graffiti – also subject to victim restitution NRS 62E.690and 330
- Driving Under the Influence (DUI) – also subject to substance abuse evaluation and DUI school NRS 62E.640
- Buying, Possessing, or Consuming Alcohol – also subject to substance abuse evaluation NRS 62E.630and 620
- Buying, Possessing, or Consuming Marijuana – also subject to substance abuse evaluation NRS 62E.620
Certain provisions for Possession of Marijuana
It is against the law to buy, consume or possess marijuana. Juveniles arrested or cited for this offense may be subject to probation supervision, driver's license suspensions, fines, community service or work crew, and substance abuse evaluations. For more information please see Nevada Revised Statute 62E.620
CHINS NRS 62B.320
Children In Need of Supervision (CHINS). Truancy, running away, and disobeying the reasonable and lawful demands of a parent or guardian are all considered offenses that only apply to juveniles. Juveniles committing these offenses are considered Children in Need of Supervision (CHINS). Under NRS 62C.050, CHINS may be detained for up to 24 hours and may be required to see a judge. Federal Law mandates that CHINS may not be sheltered with those who commit delinquent offenses. For more information regarding services for CHINS, please refer to the Probation Division.
Criminal Case Moved to Adult Court
In most cases, if a child is charged with a serious crime like a violent sexual assault or using a gun in a crime, and they were 16 years old or older when they allegedly did it, the juvenile court will move their case to an adult court. This happens after a full investigation and if the district attorney asks for it. This means the child will be treated as if they were an adult in the legal process.
If a child's case is moved from juvenile court to adult court, the adult court has full control over the child's case. The child can only ask to have their case moved back to the juvenile court if they can show that something really unusual or exceptional happened. The juvenile court will decide if the unusual circumstances are good enough reasons to take back control of the case. NRS 62B.390
Drivers Under 18 Laws
Driver’s Instruction Permit Requirements:
- 15.5 years of age
- Nevada resident
- Pass vision test
- Pass knowledge test
- Financial responsibility statement signed by a guardian
When driving with an instruction permit, a licensed driver 21 years of age or older, with at least one year of experience must be seated next to you. Nevada teens must also complete 50 hours of supervised driving, including 10 hours at night, and document this on the official DMV DLD-130 form. NRS 483.2521
Driving with Passengers
Licensed drivers who are 16 or 17 years old are not allowed to drive passengers under the age of 18 (except for immediate family members) for the first six months from license issuance. NRS 483.2523 and NRS 483.2525
Driving Curfew
Minors shall not operate a motor vehicle 10pm – 5pm unless they are driving to or from a scheduled event. This curfew remains in effect until the driver turns 18, regardless of when the driver’s license was issued. NRS 484B.907
Firearms
Children ages 14 -17 years can use a firearm while hunting if they are trained in the hunter safety course and have a hunting license.
Other than the above-mentioned exception, those under the age of 18 cannot possess or use a firearm without direct supervision of a parent/guardian or other adult performing in this role. The arrest of a child for possession of a firearm will result in mandatory detainment and, in some circumstances, the administration of a risk evaluation. NRS 62C.060
If someone under the age of 18 possesses or uses the firearm of an adult, the adult is not in violation of NRS 202.300 if one of the following is true:
- The firearm was stored securely in a locked firearm storage container,
- The child obtained the firearm through unlawful entry where it was stored,
- Injury or death resulted from an accident that occurred during hunting or target or sport shooting, or
- The child obtained the firearm from a member of the military or law enforcement while the member was actively performing their duties.
Minor in Possession, Consumption of Alcohol
In Nevada, it is against the law for youth under the age of 21 to buy, consume or possess alcohol. Juveniles arrested or cited for this offense may be subject to probation supervision, driver's license suspensions, fines, community service or work crew, and substance abuse evaluations. For more information please see Nevada Revised Statute 62E.630 and 62E.620
Truancy Law
A child who is continually absent from school might be violating Truancy Law which could result in fines, community service or work crew, driver’s license suspension, referral to a child protective services agency for educational neglect, and/or referral to a local diversionary and support program. TPOP and NRS 62E.430
What are the curfew rules for juveniles?
Curfew Law - Under 18 Years of Age
Did you know there are curfew laws in Las Vegas and Clark County?
Las Vegas City Ordinance - 10.54.010
Clark County Ordinance - 12.12.030
Within Clark County and the City of Las Vegas if you are under the age of 18 and are not engaged in any lawful occupation, not accompanied by one of your parents or guardian, you may not: loiter, idle, wander, stroll, or be upon, in or about any public streets, avenues, alleys or other public places within the City or County between the hours of:
10:00 pm - 5:00 am (Sunday - Thursday)
12:00 am - 5:00 am (Friday and Saturday, non-school days)
9:00 pm - 5:00 am (Friday, Saturday on the Strip)
A violation of this law can result in a citation, fines up to $300, and/or you may be detained until a parent can be contacted.
Strip Curfew Rules:
(a) It is unlawful for any child under the age of eighteen to be in or upon the following streets or sidewalks adjacent thereto and all parking lots, driveways and walkways which are open to the public and located on properties that adjoin such designated streets between the hours of nine p.m. on Friday, Saturday and legal holidays and five a.m. of the succeeding day, and between 6 p.m. on December 31 and 5 a.m. of the succeeding day:
(1) Las Vegas Boulevard South Between Sahara Avenue and Sunset Road;
(2) Harmon Avenue between Las Vegas Boulevard South and Koval Lane;
(3) Dune Road/Flamingo Road between I-15 and Koval Lane;
(4) Spring Mountain Road/Sands Drive between Vegas Plaza Drive and Koval Lane;
(5) Stardust Road between Industrial Road and Las Vegas Boulevard South;
(6) Convention Center Drive;
(7) Riviera Boulevard;
(8) Circus Circus Drive.
Downtown Curfew Rules:
(a) It shall be unlawful for any child under the age of eighteen years, without being on any lawful business or engaged in any lawful occupation, not accompanied by one of his parents or his guardian, or other adult person having legal care, custody and control of said child, to loiter, idle, wander or stroll or be upon, in or about any of the public streets, avenues, alleys or other public places in the City at any time between the hours of ten p.m., Sunday through Thursday and five a.m. of the succeeding day, and between the hours of twelve midnight on Friday and Saturday and five a.m. of the succeeding day; provided, however, the Sheriff of the Metropolitan Police Department or his designee shall be empowered to extend the curfew on special occasions to such hour as shall be designated by him.
(b) On all school holidays and during the days of summer vacation, said curfew shall be between the hours of twelve midnight and five a.m. for all citizens under the age of eighteen years.