Created by FindLaw's team of legal writers and editors | Last reviewed June 20, 2016
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Despite heroin references in movies and TV that may glamorize the drug, heroin is illegal under federal and state law. Indeed, heroin laws in Nevada are strict. So if you’re wondering just how much trouble you can get into for either having or dealing “just a little” heroin, you’ve come to the right place. Primarily due to the increased violence surrounding certain drugs, Nevada authorities crack down heavily on both sale and possession of heroin.
Heroin possession, sale, and trafficking are felony crimes in nearly every state. The charges and penalties under Nevada's heroin laws are listed below in this brief summary below.
| Code Section | 453.011, NAC 453.510 |
| Possession | 1-6 yrs. and $5000; Subsequent offense: 1-10 yrs. and $10,000; Third offense: 1-20 yrs. and $20,000 |
| Sale | 1-20 yrs., and $20,000; Subsequent offense: 5-20 yrs. and $20,000; Third offense: life or 15 yrs. mandatory and $20,000 |
| Trafficking | 4-14 g.: 1-6 yrs. and $50,000; 14-28 g.: 2-15 yrs. and $100,000; Over 28 g.: 25 yrs. and $500,000; Double penalties for sale near school |
Note: State laws are constantly changing -- contact a Nevada drug crime attorney or conduct your own legal research to verify the state law(s) you are researching.
More than 20 years after its inception, Clark County's drug court has been hailed as one of the most successful prison diversion programs. After 20 years, the program has had 5,200 successful graduates through 2012. Follow-up statistics show 70 percent of drug court graduates do not commit another crime, authorities say.
The goal of these courts is to get nonviolent offenders out of the rotating doors of the criminal justice system and provide guidance and treatment to prevent defendants from reoffending, while saving tax dollars. Once a defendant successfully completes specialty court treatment, the original criminal case that landed them there is dismissed. Court officials estimate that drug court has saved more than $40 million.
State drug laws, and their enforcement, are constantly changing, and can vary depending on the jurisdiction and specifics of your case. If you would like legal assistance with an existing drug case, or if you would just like to know your rights, you can contact a Nevada drug crime attorney in your area. For related articles and resources, you can also visit FindLaw's Drug Charges section. If you think you might need help with a drug addiction or substance abuse problem, your first step is to ask for help.
Contact a qualified attorney.
Get tailored legal advice and ask a lawyer questions. Many Nevada attorneys offer free consultations for Drug Crime.