Domestic Violence

In Nevada, battery domestic violence is defined as intentionally inflicting unlawful physical force on current or former dating partners, spouses, or family members.

Defining Domestic Relations

To be charged with domestic violence, the perpetrator and victim must share a familial, intimate, or domestic relationship. This can include:

• Domestic partners (current or separated)
• Spouses (current, separated, or divorced)
• Co-parents of a minor child
• Significant others
• Minor children of the defendant or significant other
• Guardians of the alleged victim
• Relatives by blood or marriage (except cousins or siblings, unless they are in a guardianship or custodial arrangement with the defendant)

Physical violence between strangers, acquaintances, friends, or neighbors does not involve a familial, intimate, or domestic relationship, so it is characterized as battery.

Penalties & Jail Time

Penalties for a first-time BDV in a seven-year period (classified a misdemeanor) are:

• $200 to $1,000
• 48 to 120 hours of community service
• Domestic violence counseling for at least 1.5 hours per week for at least six months
• Two days to six months in jail

Defendants convicted of a second-time BDV in a seven-year period (classified a misdemeanor) face:

• Minimum 20-day jail sentence
• $500 to $1,000 fine
• 100 to 200 hours of community service
• Domestic violence counseling for at 1.5 hours per week for at least 12 months
• 20 days to six months of jail

A third BDV in a seven-year period is automatically a category B felony punishable by:

• One to six years in Nevada State Prison
• $1,000 to $5,000 fine