Penalties for Domestic Battery in Nevada

Jesse Kalter • June 24, 2022


Hiring a Domestic Violence Lawyer Can Reduce or Dismiss Penalties for Domestic Battery

In recent years, a new light has been shed on domestic battery, or what many social workers call the shadow pandemic. Police, prosecutors, and judges are routinely trained in domestic violence, and aggressive interventions are continually implemented. One of these aggressive interventions is severe penalties for domestic battery. These charges do not have to be the result of a long-term injury for someone to be charged with domestic battery.

According to Nevada law, any unwanted touching, no matter how light, is considered battery. Domestic battery is a "must arrest" charge. If the police have been called to a residence for domestic battery, they are required to remove the person they have identified as the primary aggressor. This usually involves an arrest and detention at the jail for at least 12 hours, before bail is even possible.

Penalties for Domestic Battery in Nevada



Domestic Battery First Offense

If convicted of a domestic battery first offense, a person could:


  •  Serve a minimum 2 days up to 6 months in jail
  • Pay up to $1,000 fine
  • Serve up to 120 hours of community service
  • Attend weekly batterer’s intervention counseling sessions for 6 months
  • Loss of second amendment rights


These are standard penalties for offenses that did not involve deadly weapons, strangulation, or substantial bodily harm.



Domestic Battery Second Offense

If convicted of a second domestic battery offense within seven years, a person could:


  • Serve a minimum of 20 days to 6 months in jail
  • Pay up to $1,000 fine
  • Serve up to 200 hours of community service
  • Mandatory weekly batterer’s intervention counseling sessions for one year
  • Loss of second amendment rights


These are standard penalties for offenses that did not involve deadly weapons, strangulation, or substantial bodily harm.



Domestic Battery Third Offense

If convicted of a third domestic battery charge within 7 years, it will be charged as a felony offense, which carries a punishment of:



  • Mandatory 1-6 years in prison
  • Up to $5,000 in fines
  • Loss of second amendment rights


Domestic Battery with Deadly Weapon, Strangulation, or Substantial Bodily Harm

If a person is convicted of domestic battery with the use of a deadly weapon, or by strangulation, it will be punishable by:


  • 1-5 years in prison
  • Up to $10,000 in fines
  • Loss of second amendment rights


If a person is convicted of domestic battery resulting in substantial bodily harm with the use of a deadly weapon, or by strangulation, it will be punishable by:


  • Mandatory 1-6 years in prison
  • Up to $5,000 in fines
  • Loss of second amendment rights


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