Nevada District Attorneys

By Eric Harvey, J.D. | Legally reviewed by Melissa Bender, Esq. | Last reviewed October 25, 2023

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The district attorney handles the administration of the criminal justice system. They are the senior-most attorneys in their districts. Immediately underneath them, there are deputy district attorneys. 

A district attorney (or D.A.) prosecutes criminal cases in their districts. Typically, a district includes one or more counties. If someone has accused you of a crime, the D.A. will determine what criminal charges to seek. They will also decide whether they will offer a plea agreement. In certain instances, the D.A. may convene a grand jury to determine whether to file charges.

The following information will help you better understand the role of a D.A. It will provide you with information on how to contact your local Nevada District Attorney's Office.

Communicating With a Nevada District Attorney

District attorneys have so much control over the prosecution that may seem helpful to communicate with them about the case. But, some prosecutors will refuse to communicate with a defendant to avoid any ethical issues that might arise. Whether they want to speak to you directly or not, they will always communicate with a lawyer.

Remember that speaking to the prosecution can have a reverse effect than the one you intend. Your statements could do the following:

  • Convince a prosecutor that they will win at trial,
  • Lead them to add charges, or
  • Make them conclude that they should refuse to negotiate with you.

They say you only have one chance to make a first impression. This observation is particularly true when a criminal charge is at stake.

Issues That District Attorneys Handle

The criminal division within the district attorneys' offices handles a variety of matters, including the prosecution of the following criminal offenses:

  • Driving under the influence (DUI)
  • Sexual assault
  • Domestic violence
  • Criminal violations of city ordinances
  • Criminal child support arrears

These city attorneys prosecute misdemeanor cases, gross misdemeanor cases, and felony cases. They help law enforcement administer criminal law in their districts.

Criminal Proceedings: Working With an Attorney

There are other reasons to hire an attorney to communicate with the prosecutor on your behalf. A local attorney likely knows about the attitudes of judges and prosecutors. They know if there are a lot of cases on the docket and whether the attorney is looking for cases to dismiss. They know local policies relating to prosecution, the sort of plea agreements typically available for different kinds of cases, and whether there are diversion programs that can allow you to resolve your case without a conviction on the record.

An attorney's statements are less likely to damage the case by revealing defense strategies. And a lawyer can better communicate why a prosecution against you may fail at trial.

Nevada Attorney General's Office

Unlike a local district attorney, the Nevada Attorney General is the top lawyer for the state, representing Nevada in litigation. They also enforce consumer issues and other laws impacting state residents.

Directory of Nevada District Attorneys

Nevada has 16 District Attorneys, one for each county in the state. Click on one of the links below to learn more about your local D.A. or to contact their office. Here are links to the landing pages for the websites of a handful of the district attorneys in Nevada:

For any district attorney's offices not listed above, you can easily find them online.

Note: Although we strive to provide the most current contact and website information for the D.A. offices in this state, this information is subject to change. If you have found contact or website information that is not current, please contact us.

Dealing With the Nevada District Attorney? Call an Attorney First

Consider your situation carefully before you start talking, especially to the prosecution. If you can't afford an attorney, you still have options. You can call the office of the public defender. These attorneys provide free legal representation to qualifying people. You can also contact Legal Aid Center of Southern Nevada. This nonprofit group staffs attorneys who can help you for free if you qualify. This organization can provide legal assistance and legal resources pro bono (no charge).

You can contact the State Bar of Nevada if you need referrals for attorneys. They can provide referrals for lawyers for free. You should seek professional legal advice.

Get in touch with an experienced Nevada criminal defense attorney near you today. Criminal defense lawyers can help you with your legal matters. The legal help of an attorney is an invaluable resource.

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