Nevada Pardon/Expungement Process

👉 Nevada does not allow true expungement of criminal records.
Instead, the state uses a process called record sealing.

⚖️ 1. No Expungement in Nevada

  • Nevada law does not permit expungement (destruction of records).
  • Criminal records are kept permanently in state systems.

👉 So unlike some states, you can’t completely erase a record as if it never existed.

🔒 2. Record Sealing (Nevada’s Main Relief Option)

Nevada’s alternative is record sealing, governed primarily by Nevada Revised Statutes (NRS) Chapter 179, including NRS 179.245.

What sealing does:

  • Hides your record from the public (employers, landlords, etc.)
  • Allows you, in most situations, to legally say the arrest/conviction didn’t happen
  • Does NOT destroy the record (law enforcement and courts can still access it)

⏳ 3. Waiting Periods for Record Sealing

Eligibility depends on the type of case and when your sentence ended.

Typical waiting periods:

  • No conviction (dismissed or acquitted):
    • Eligible immediately
  • Misdemeanors:
    • Often 2+ years after case closes
  • Felonies:
    • Can range from 5 to 15 years, depending on severity
  • Example:
    • Serious felonies may require up to 15 years before sealing

👉 The clock usually starts after:

  • Completion of incarceration, probation, or parole

❌ 4. Offenses That Generally Cannot Be Sealed

Some crimes are not eligible, including:

  • Certain violent offenses
  • Crimes against children
  • Some sex offenses
  • Serious offenses like kidnapping or home invasion

📝 5. How the Process Works

To seal a record, you must:

  1. Get your criminal history report
  2. Determine eligibility and waiting period
  3. File a petition in district court
  4. Notify prosecutors
  5. Possibly attend a hearing

👉 Nevada does not automatically seal records. You must apply.

🏛️ 6. Pardons in Nevada

Nevada also offers pardons, granted by the Nevada Board of Pardons Commissioners.

Key points:

  • A pardon is forgiveness, not erasure
  • It can:
    • Restore civil rights (like firearm rights in some cases)
    • Improve employment opportunities
  • It does NOT seal or erase your record

⚖️ Bottom Line

  • ❌ No expungement in Nevada
  • ✅ Record sealing is the main path to relief
  • ⏳ Waiting periods vary widely
  • 🏛️ Pardons are separate and do not clear records

 

The State of Nevada offers convicted offenders the opportunity to have their criminal records sealed. The sealing of records removes an offender’s record from public view and access. Only in certain circumstances, such as sentencing of a new conviction, may sealed records be unsealed. Once an applicant’s records have been sealed, they may legally state that they have never been convicted of a crime.

Pardons in Nevada are granted by the Nevada Board of Pardon Commissioners. The Board consists of the Governor, the Attorney General, and the Nevada Supreme Court Justices. If the Board grants an individual an unconditional pardon, they are removed from any further disabilities from the crime and their civil rights are restored, including the right to bear arms. The Board may attach conditions to any pardon granted at their discretion. Receiving a pardon can help convicted offenders attain better employment and in applying for loans for higher education.

Eligibility is based on the class of crime:

A or B felonies – 15 years

C or D Felonies – 12 years

E felony – 7 years

Any gross misdemeanor 7 years

NRS – domestic violence – 7 years