Las Vegas Criminal Traffic & Warrant Defense Attorneys

Aggressive Representation for Serious Traffic Offenses and Active Warrants

If you are reading this, you are likely facing something far more serious than a simple parking violation. You might be holding a citation that carries the threat of jail time, or perhaps you’ve discovered an active warrant for your arrest that has you looking over your shoulder.

At The Vegas Lawyers, we understand that good people often find themselves in difficult legal situations. We know the anxiety that comes with criminal traffic charges—the fear of losing your license, the stress of potential incarceration, and the worry about how a permanent criminal record will impact your job and your family.

We are here to help you navigate this.

Our practice is exclusively focused on criminal-level traffic matters and active warrants. We do not run a volume-based “ticket mill” for minor infractions; we are a dedicated criminal defense firm that steps in when your freedom, your driving privileges, and your professional future are on the line.

Whether you are dealing with a Reckless Driving charge, a DUI-related offense, or a Bench Warrant for a missed court date, we are ready to defend you.

[Notice] Our focus is exclusively on criminal-level traffic matters. The Vegas Lawyers does not represent clients for minor civil infractions, basic speeding (non-criminal), or parking violations. If you are facing a misdemeanor or felony traffic charge, or have an active warrant, we are ready to defend you.

The Difference Between a "Ticket" and a Criminal Charge

It is vital to understand the nature of the charges against you. In Nevada, traffic violations are not all created equal. As of 2023, many minor tickets are classified as “civil infractions,” meaning they result in a fine but no jail time or criminal record.

However, criminal traffic offenses are entirely different. These are not merely administrative annoyances; they are misdemeanors or felonies that place you squarely inside the criminal justice system.

Why does this distinction matter?

  • Burden of Proof: Because these are criminal matters, the burden of proof rests entirely on the prosecution. They must prove their case beyond a reasonable doubt.
  • Permanent Record: Unlike a speeding ticket that eventually falls off your driving record, a criminal traffic conviction creates a permanent criminal record that can follow you for life.
  • Severe Penalties: These charges often carry mandatory jail time, heavy court fines, and the immediate suspension of your driving privileges.

If your citation requires a “mandatory appearance” or has resulted in a warrant, you are likely facing a criminal matter that requires a strategic legal defense, not just a simple payment service. 

Resolving Outstanding Warrants and Failure to Appear

One of the most stressful situations a driver can face is the existence of an active warrant. In Las Vegas, a simple “missed ticket” or overlooked court date can quickly escalate into a Bench Warrant.

The Danger of the “Warrant Cycle”

Once a warrant is active, you are subject to arrest at any time. This could happen at your workplace, at your home, or during a routine traffic stop for a minor issue like a broken taillight. This creates a “warrant cycle” where individuals are afraid to drive, miss further obligations, and face new charges, such as driving on a suspended license.

How We Quash Warrants Without You Going to Jail

If you have an active warrant, do not wait to be arrested. We specialize in Quashing Warrants, a legal process that removes the warrant and resets your case before the court.

  • We Handle the Paperwork: We file a formal “Motion to Quash” with the court to place the matter back on the judge’s calendar.
  • We Appear for You: In many cases, our attorneys can appear on your behalf to have the warrant recalled. This often happens without you ever having to step foot in a courtroom or a jail cell.
  • Multiple Courts: It is common for clients to have unresolved issues in multiple jurisdictions. We coordinate across Las Vegas Justice Court, North Las Vegas, and Henderson to clear multiple unresolved matters simultaneously, giving you a true “clean slate”.

We handle Bench Warrants for missed court dates, warrants for unpaid fines in criminal traffic cases, and Failure to Appear (FTA) charges that complicate your underlying case.

Criminal Traffic Charges We Defend

We focus on high-stakes cases where the consequences are severe. Our team provides aggressive representation for:

Reckless Driving

In Nevada, Reckless Driving is a serious misdemeanor. Beyond the immediate legal fines, it carries up to 8 demerit points on your license and the potential for jail time. A conviction here can be devastating for your insurance rates and your employment eligibility.

DUI-Related Traffic Offenses

Driving Under the Influence charges are among the most complex traffic matters because they involve two separate legal proceedings: the criminal court case and the DMV administrative case. We handle the complexities of both to protect your record and your license.

Driving on a Suspended or Revoked License

Driving when your license is already suspended is a fast track to mandatory jail time and an extended suspension period. We provide a defense aimed at preventing incarceration and helping you navigate the path back to a valid license.

Hit and Run (NRS 484E)

Leaving the scene of an accident is a serious allegation. Whether the incident involved property damage or bodily injury, the penalties are steep. We fight to challenge the evidence and protect your rights.

Criminal / Excessive Speeding

There is a threshold where speeding moves from a civil infraction to criminal conduct. If you have been cited for excessive speed that crosses this line, you are facing a criminal record, not just a fine.

Habitual Traffic Offenders

For those who have accumulated a history of violations, the risk of long-term license loss is real. We offer strategic defense for habitual offenders to protect their ability to drive.

Why You Need a Criminal Defense Lawyer
(Not a "Ticket Service")

You may see advertisements for “ticket services” that promise to handle citations for a low fee. It is important to understand that these services are designed for volume—processing hundreds of minor civil infractions quickly.

When a traffic matter enters the criminal justice system, the stakes require a different level of legal strategy. Here is why specialized defense matters:

1. Protecting Your Career & Professional License

Many employers today perform regular background checks. This is standard in industries such as transportation, healthcare, government, and the casino/hospitality sector. A conviction for “Reckless Driving” or “DUI” is a criminal misdemeanor that can disqualify you from employment or lead to the revocation of professional licenses.

Our goal is to work to have these charges dismissed or reduced to non-criminal “moving violations” that do not show up as crimes on your permanent record.

2. Navigating the “Two-Front” Battle: Court and DMV

In Nevada, a criminal traffic charge often triggers two separate legal battles:

  1. The Criminal Court: Dealing with jail time, fines, and your criminal record.
  2. The DMV Administrative Hearing: Dealing with license suspension.

A general ticket service rarely handles the DMV side of the equation. We provide comprehensive defense to protect both your freedom and your right to drive.

3. Negotiation Power with Prosecutors

Prosecutors in Las Vegas, Henderson, and North Las Vegas treat represented defendants differently. Because we are known for our willingness to fight, we can leverage our reputation to negotiate better outcomes. We understand the nuances of the Nevada Revised Statutes (NRS) and can often negotiate “stay out of trouble” agreements or alternative sentencing that keeps your record clean.

4. Preventing the “Warrant Cycle”

Without a lawyer, many people try to handle these matters alone and find themselves in a cycle of missed payments, suspended licenses, and new charges. We step in to break this cycle, resolving all outstanding warrants and underlying issues simultaneously so you can move forward with your life.

Our Approach: Aggressive, Proactive Defense

The best criminal traffic defense lawyers in Las Vegas understand that these cases require an aggressive, proactive strategy. We do not just “process” tickets; we fight to protect your freedom.

Trial Readiness

While many cases are resolved through negotiation, the strongest negotiating position comes from being ready for trial. Our attorneys are prepared to take your case to court, where we can subpoena witnesses, cross-examine arresting officers, and challenge the technical accuracy of police equipment or procedures.

Challenging the Evidence

Our job is to identify the “cracks” in the prosecution’s case. This might be a procedural error during the traffic stop, a lack of credible testimony, or a violation of your constitutional rights. Even a minor omission by law enforcement can sometimes lead to a complete case dismissal. We use every legal tool available to dismantle the prosecution’s case and seek a reduction or total dismissal of charges.

In-Depth Statutory Knowledge

We stay current on the latest legislative changes, such as the Safe Streets and Neighborhood Act of 2026, which dramatically increased penalties for serious offenses like DUI causing death. This in-depth knowledge of the Nevada Revised Statutes (NRS) allows us to build sophisticated defenses that less experienced firms might miss.

Record Sealing and Long-Term Protection

A conviction can haunt you for years. In Nevada, most misdemeanor traffic convictions must wait one year after the case closes before they can be sealed. We guide you through this process to ensure your background check remains clear for employers, providing long-term protection for your future.

What We Typically Do NOT Handle

To provide the highest level of service for serious criminal matters, we are selective about the cases we take. We do not take the following case types:

  • Standard speeding tickets (e.g., 10mph over the limit).
  • Parking or “fix-it” citations (window tint, taillights, etc.).
  • Minor non-moving violations.

Our focus is exclusively on matters where your legal rights and liberty are at risk.

Frequently Asked Questions

As of 2023, many minor tickets in Nevada are now civil infractions, which do not carry jail time or a criminal record. However, offenses like Reckless Driving, DUI, and Driving on a Suspended License remain criminal misdemeanors. If your ticket requires a “mandatory appearance” or resulted in a warrant, it is likely a criminal matter.

Yes. If your job requires a clean background check or a commercial driver’s license (CDL), a criminal conviction can lead to termination or disqualification. This is why hiring an attorney to fight for a non-criminal reduction is critical.

In many cases, no. If you were visiting Las Vegas and received a criminal traffic citation or have an old warrant here, we can usually appear in court on your behalf. This saves you the expense and stress of traveling back to Nevada for multiple hearings.

In Nevada, a misdemeanor conviction generally stays on your criminal record for at least one to seven years before you can petition to have it sealed (depending on the charge). Protecting your record now is far easier than trying to seal it later.

Yes. It is common for clients to have unresolved matters in Las Vegas Justice Court, North Las Vegas, and Henderson simultaneously. We can coordinate motions to quash warrants across multiple jurisdictions to provide you with a complete “clean slate”.

Serious Defense for Serious Cases

If your matter involves criminal charges, a suspended license, or an outstanding warrant, do not treat it like a minor ticket. The consequences of a conviction are permanent, but you do not have to face them alone.

Contact The Vegas Lawyers today. We are ready to break the warrant cycle, fight for your freedom, and protect your future.

Call 24/7: (702) 707-7000

702-707-3000

Contact The Vegas Lawyers today at 702-707-3000 for your free initial consultation with Nevada’s best traffic ticket lawyers.

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