Juvenile Justice System Established
Nevada’s formal juvenile justice system is established for the most part by Chapter 62 of the Nevada Revised Statutes (N.R.S.). Section 62A.030 of the N.R.S defines a youth as “a person who is less than 18 years of age, a person who is less than 21 years of age and subject to the jurisdiction of the juvenile court for an unlawful act that was committed before the person reached 18 years of age, and a person who is otherwise subject to the jurisdiction of the juvenile court as a juvenile sex offender”.
Juveniles Certified for Treatment as an Adult
Section 62B.390 of N.R.S allows a youth to be certified as an adult in the following circumstances:
- A youth is charged with an offense that would be a felony if committed by an adult and was 14 years of age or older;
- A youth who is charged with murder or attempted murder and was 13 years of age or older;
- A youth who is charged with a sexual assault involving the use or threatened use of force or violence against a victim and was 16 years of age or older; and
- A youth who is charged with an offense or attempted offense involving the use or threatened use of a firearm and was 16 years of age or older.
County Operations
Nevada’s juvenile justice system is bifurcated with Nevada Counties responsible for front end services and the State through the Division of Child and Family Services is responsible for youth correctional services and parole services. Counties functions include:
- Juvenile Referral
- Juvenile Diversion
- Juvenile Arrest
- Juvenile Detention Facilities
- Juvenile Court Services
- Juvenile Probation Services
Correctional Service for Juveniles
The juvenile court usually does not commit a youth less than 12 years of age for placement in a juvenile correctional facility or a private institution. However, state law provides an exception to committing youth who are at least 8 years of age if the juvenile court finds the youth 1) is in need of placement in a correctional or institutional facility; or 2) is in need of residential psychiatric services or other residential services for the mental health of the youth.
All youth released from a juvenile correctional facility shall be placed on parole.