Tourist Arrests in Las Vegas, Nevada

Arrested on holiday or vacation

If you are a tourist arrested while staying in Las Vegas, call us at 702-432-1000 and ask to speak with a criminal defense attorney.

The initial consultation is free and confidential.

Types of arrests

Most commonly, out-of-state visitors get arrested for:

• Solicitation of prostitution
• Illegal possession of drugs
• Domestic violence
• Driving under the influence of alcohol (DUI) or drugs
• Disorderly conduct
• Trespassing
• Drinking in public

Many drug-related felony arrests happen during the famous Electric Daisy Carnival.

Is the solicitation of prostitution a crime in Las Vegas?

Yes, prostitution is illegal in Clark County, which includes Las Vegas, and solicitation of prostitution is a crime.

The Las Vegas metropolitan police department regularly sets up undercover sting operations and sends attractive young female and male cadets to pose as prostitutes. Usually, this happens on the casino gaming floor. Still, we had seen cases where police conducted sting operations online via classified Ads sites, such as Craigslist, or social networking sites, such as Facebook. The police shut down the Las Vegas adult content section of Backpage.com in January 2017, but other online sites still exist and are routinely monitored by undercover agents and detectives.

Police sting operations

We get many e-mails from people asking, "How common are Las Vegas police escort stings?" or "How often do Las Vegas police carry out prostitution sting operations?"

The short answer is, "The police conduct escort or prostitution stings REGULARLY in Las Vegas." So, if you think it happens only on Mondays, Tuesdays, or the 1st day of every month - think again.

If you or someone you know has been arrested during the police sting operation, you need to hire a criminal defense attorney to represent you as soon as possible. We invite you to call us at 702-432-1000 to discuss your situation.

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Tourist arrests: Drug charges

Frequently, tourists get arrested while consuming illegal narcotics or possessing illegal drugs on the gaming floors of casinos. Many people are detained by nightclub security and arrested for possessing illegal drugs at nightclubs or pool parties.

Be aware: Over 50% of hotel security busts happen in bathroom stalls.

Tourist arrests: Battery domestic violence

Another common criminal charge in Las Vegas is battery domestic violence - physical and verbal abuse against a family member, spouse, dating partner, or housemate.

Often, tourists have too much to drink and get into a loud argument. They forget that security guards are everywhere in Las Vegas hotels, casinos, or nightclubs, and surveillance cameras record everything.

So, if you and your significant other got into a fight, remember to keep it private and avoid unwanted physical contact.

In Clark County, which includes Las Vegas, when an allegation of domestic violence has been made, the police are REQUIRED to arrest a party.

If it happens to you, you need to hire an attorney to represent you.

Tourist arrests: DUI or DUID

Increasingly, Las Vegas visitors get arrested for driving under the influence of alcohol (DUI) or drugs (DUID). Many things contribute to this.

• Alcohol is plentiful and even freely available
• Restrictions on alcohol that are common in other cities do not exist in Las Vegas or are loosely enforced
• Outdoor pool parties and clubs during excessive heat waves

However, DUI laws in Las Vegas are strictly enforced. If you are a tourist arrested for DUI, call us at 702-432-1000 to discuss your case.

If you miss a hearing date

If you are an out-of-state visitor arrested in Las Vegas, you must take these charges very seriously. You can't skip your hearing date - the police will issue a bench warrant for your arrest, and this warrant will stay on your record forever or until you appear in court. Warrants never expire. Having an active warrant may show during your background check regardless of what state you live in.

When foreigners get arrested

If you are a foreign national and have an active warrant on your arrest in the U.S., you may have severe immigration consequences. You probably will be able to leave the country, and it is up to the country you are visiting to allow you to enter or not.

However, you may have a big problem when you decide to come back to the U.S.; you can be denied entry to the U.S. or arrested at the border.

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Facing criminal charges

If you are a Las Vegas visitor facing criminal charges, the right way to handle it is:

• Hire a criminal defense attorney
• Resolve the charges
• Seal your criminal record

Being charged vs. being convicted

Just because you are charged with a crime does not always mean you will be convicted of that charge. Initial charges are routinely negotiated to lesser charges. In some cases, the charges can be dismissed. There are different reasons for these outcomes. For instance, there may be a lack of sufficient evidence. Or, the police may have acted improperly. The quality of your legal representation plays a very important role.

We can help

If you have been arrested or charged with a crime while on vacation in Las Vegas, call us at 702-432-1000 to discuss your case. We are here to help. We successfully reduced and even dismissed criminal charges for numerous out-of-state visitors. Our clients didn't have to fly back to Las Vegas for the hearing in most cases. If you have no prior criminal record, we almost always can waive your presence for the first court date.

You can also fill out the contact form.

Every e-mail goes directly to attorney Parviz Heshmati's cell phone. Once he receives your message, he will call you back as soon as possible.

We are discreet. We will communicate with you via text, e-mails, Skype, ZOOM, phone, whatever you prefer.

The office of Heshmati & Associates is in downtown Las Vegas at 515 S. 7th Street.

Walk-ins are welcome!

Initial consultations are always free.

Payment plans are available.

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