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Las Vegas Arrest Records

Are Arrest Records Public in Las Vegas, Nevada?

Arrest records are public in Las Vegas, Nevada, pursuant to the Nevada Public Records Act (NRS Chapter 239). This legislation establishes that records created, maintained, or kept by a governmental entity in the course of its official duties are presumptively open to public inspection. The Nevada Supreme Court has consistently upheld the public's right to access government records, including arrest records maintained by law enforcement agencies operating within Clark County and the City of Las Vegas.

The Nevada Public Records Act specifically provides that "all public books and public records of a governmental entity, the contents of which are not otherwise declared by law to be confidential, must be open at all times during office hours to inspection by any person" (NRS § 239.010). This statutory framework ensures transparency in governmental operations and allows members of the public to monitor law enforcement activities within their communities.

Arrest records typically contain documentation of when an individual was taken into custody by law enforcement personnel. These records are maintained by various agencies including the Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department, the Clark County Detention Center, and the Las Vegas Municipal Court system. While certain portions of arrest records may be redacted to protect confidential information as defined by statute, the fundamental details of an arrest remain accessible to the public.

How to Look Up Las Vegas Arrest Records in 2025

Members of the public seeking Las Vegas arrest records have multiple methods available to access this information. The Clark County and City of Las Vegas governmental entities maintain several channels through which arrest records may be obtained:

Online Database Access: The Clark County Detention Center provides an online inmate search function that allows the public to search for current and recently released inmates. This system is updated regularly and provides basic arrest information.
In-Person Requests: Individuals may visit the Records Bureau of the Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department to submit formal requests for arrest records.

Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department Records Bureau
400 S. Martin Luther King Blvd.
Las Vegas, NV 89106
Phone: (702) 828-3271
Official LVMPD Website
Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Written Requests: Pursuant to NRS § 239.0107, written requests for arrest records may be submitted to the appropriate agency. These requests must reasonably describe the record sought and may require payment of applicable fees for search and duplication.
Court Records: The Las Vegas Municipal Court maintains records of arrests that resulted in cases within their jurisdiction. These records can be accessed through their case search portal or by visiting the courthouse.

Las Vegas Municipal Court
100 E. Clark Ave.
Las Vegas, NV 89101
Phone: (702) 229-6464
Hours: Monday-Thursday, 7:30 AM - 5:30 PM

Contents of a Las Vegas Arrest Record

Las Vegas arrest records contain standardized information as mandated by Nevada Administrative Code (NAC) § 179A and related statutes. These records typically include the following elements:

Full legal name of the arrested individual and any documented aliases
Date of birth and demographic information
Physical description including height, weight, and identifying marks
Date, time, and location of the arrest
Statutory violations and charges filed at the time of arrest
Booking photograph (commonly referred to as a "mugshot")
Fingerprint information and unique identification numbers
Name and badge number of the arresting officer(s)
Agency case number and booking reference numbers
Initial court appearance information, if applicable
Bail or bond information, when established

It should be noted that pursuant to NRS § 179A.100, certain information contained within criminal history records may be subject to dissemination restrictions. Law enforcement agencies are required to maintain the accuracy of these records and provide mechanisms for individuals to challenge inaccurate information contained therein.

Legal Restrictions on Arrest Record Access

While arrest records are generally public in Las Vegas, Nevada law establishes certain limitations on access to protect privacy interests and ongoing investigations. The following restrictions apply to arrest record access:

Juvenile Records: Pursuant to NRS § 62H.030, records pertaining to juvenile arrests are confidential and not available for public inspection except under specific circumstances authorized by statute.
Sealed Records: Records that have been sealed by court order in accordance with NRS § 179.245 or NRS § 179.255 are removed from public access and treated as if the arrest never occurred.
Ongoing Investigations: Information related to pending investigations may be temporarily withheld if disclosure would impede law enforcement activities, as provided in NRS § 239.010(4).
Protected Personal Information: Certain personal identifiers such as social security numbers, home addresses, and telephone numbers of victims or witnesses may be redacted from public records to protect privacy and safety concerns.

The Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department and other law enforcement agencies must balance the public's right to access information with these statutory protections. Agencies may charge reasonable fees for record searches and reproduction as authorized by NRS § 239.052.

Expungement of Arrest Records in Las Vegas

Nevada law provides mechanisms for the sealing of arrest records under specific circumstances. This process, governed by NRS § 179.245 through § 179.301, allows eligible individuals to petition the court to seal records of arrests and criminal proceedings. When records are sealed, they are removed from public access and the individual may legally deny the existence of the sealed record in most circumstances.

Eligibility criteria for record sealing in Las Vegas include:

Cases resulting in acquittal or dismissal of charges
Arrests that did not lead to formal charges
Convictions after completion of sentence and waiting periods specified by statute
Decriminalized offenses, such as certain marijuana possession charges following legislative changes

The record sealing process requires filing a petition with the court of jurisdiction where the arrest or conviction occurred. The Las Vegas Municipal Court provides a Record Sealing Handbook detailing the procedures and requirements for this process.

Certain serious offenses, including crimes against children, sexual offenses, and DUI offenses resulting in death or substantial bodily harm, are statutorily ineligible for record sealing under NRS § 179.245(6).

Using Arrest Records for Background Checks

Employers, landlords, and other entities in Las Vegas frequently utilize arrest records as part of background screening processes. The use of such records is subject to both state and federal regulations:

The Fair Credit Reporting Act (15 U.S.C. § 1681 et seq.) governs the collection and use of consumer information, including criminal history, when used for employment, housing, or credit purposes.
Nevada law (NRS § 613.330 to § 613.435) prohibits discrimination in employment based solely on arrest records that did not result in conviction, subject to certain exceptions for sensitive positions.
Public employers in Nevada are subject to "Ban the Box" provisions pursuant to Assembly Bill 384 (2017), which prohibits inquiries about criminal history until after the initial interview.

Entities accessing arrest records for background check purposes must ensure compliance with these legal frameworks and maintain appropriate confidentiality of the information obtained. Misuse of arrest record information may result in civil liability under both state and federal law.