Possession of a Controlled Substance

Understanding Nevada’s Drug Laws: From Possession to Trafficking

September 28, 2024 | Hofland & Tomsheck

Understanding Nevada’s Drug Laws: From Possession to Trafficking

Navigating Nevada’s drug laws can be a complex and overwhelming experience for anyone facing charges. Whether you are accused of simple possession or trafficking a controlled substance, the consequences can be severe and life-altering. As one of the most stringent states in terms of drug enforcement, understanding the nuances of Nevada’s drug laws is essential for those facing charges and their loved ones. This guide will provide a comprehensive overview of the distinctions between possession, intent to distribute, and trafficking, as well as the potential penalties associated with each offense.

Categories of Drug Crimes in Nevada

Arrested Visiting Las Vegas? What You Need to Know.

June 22, 2016 | Hofland & Tomsheck

There are countless attractions, conventions and events that come to Las Vegas on an annual basis which draw large crowds. Among the notable occasions which attract huge crowds of tourists and out of town guests are the National Finals Rodeo, The Las Vegas Strip New Year’s Eve Celebration, NASCAR Weekend, the International Consumer Electronics Show and the Electric Daisy Carnival. These events are fantastic draws at exciting venues and are all extremely well organized and well run, giving rise to their extremely high ticket sales and draws at the gate. However, as every visitor to Las Vegas is aware, Vegas is a “24 hour town.” There are things to do all day and all night, both on the Strip and off. In a city where the tourism board touts “what happens here stays here,” there are numerous opportunities not only to have safe family fun, but to get in trouble as well. For an unfortunate few, the attraction of the lights of the Vegas strip can lead to things they wouldn’t typically do at home – – – staying out too late, consuming too much alcohol and partaking in activities outside of their daily routine can all too often lead to dangerous and scary consequences. While it may be a slogan that “what happens here stays here,” many times the activities of tourists here to have a good time can lead to arrests and a trip to the county jail.

According to reports of the Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department, during the 2016 Electric Daisy Carnival that occurred over the nights of June 17-June 20, more than 459,000 people crowded the Las Vegas Motor Speedway. Law enforcement officers made 101 felony arrests, all of which were narcotic related, 5 misdemeanor arrests, 19 misdemeanor citations, 8 arrests for driving under the influence and 13 traffic accidents occurred.

Many individuals may choose to “enhance” their party experience by using substances that are not readily available and are illegal to possess. Cocaine and ecstasy/MDMA, often times referred to as “molly,” two drugs that are closely associated with the party scene. These substances are however, illegal to possess, use or sell in Clark County and throughout Nevada. Possession of these substances leads to numerous arrests of tourists and travelers to Las Vegas. The police can arrest you and transport you to jail, for simply being in possession of these drugs, whether you are selling them or not. Worse, in some cases, Nevada Drug Laws allow the police to arrest and charge you with Trafficking of a Controlled Substance, based purely on the “weight” of the substance, even if it is simply possessed for personal use.

Arrested on the Las Vegas Strip – – What should I do?

October 18, 2013 | Hofland & Tomsheck

What happens in Vegas stays in Vegas, right? While that is the image that the powers that be in advertising have implemented as a clever way to get tourists to visit Las Vegas, the unfortunate reality is that in many cases, when a person acts outside the bounds of the law in Las Vegas, that person stays in Las Vegas – – in custody for a criminal offense.

While many individuals come to Las Vegas to take part in all that our 24 hour city has to offer and have no issues, many folks that visit our fair city step outside of the restraint they exhibit at home. While vacationing in Las Vegas, many individuals do things they wouldn’t do at home – – such as staying out late, drinking alcoholic beverages and generally “letting loose.” It stands to reason that this relaxed restraint can lead to activities a person may not take part in at home. Overindulging in alcohol, depriving oneself of sleep and the like can cause a person to act in a manner which results in arrests or worse, criminal charges.

At the law firm of Hofland & Tomsheck, we consult weekly, if not daily, with people who have been arrested for such incidents. Bar fights can lead to battery charges. Spats with spouses can lead to charges of Battery Constituting Domestic Violence. A desire to “party hard” can lead to possession of controlled substance charges.