Las Vegas Legal Topics
The bare facts are that Las Vegas is a jurisdiction where access to the courts is fairly straightforward. Just like anywhere else, once a person files a complaint and pays the filing fee, they are issued a case number and are in the system. What makes Las Vegas unique and interesting is that not only is it a tourist town, with more than 42 million visitors each year, but it also has an ever-expanding population of residents, with more than 2 million calling it home.
There are courts, municipal courts, and specialty courts. Like any other city where people live, work, and play, there are complicated issues that arise every day with contention and disagreement between people. In Las Vegas, there are courts in place to handle these disputes. The population is transient , and because of that, there is a large segment of the population who don’t speak English as their primary language and may not be familiar with the US Justice system. This is why it is critical to have a Las Vegas Law Blog that people can turn to with numerous articles, legal tips, and news items that keep them informed and educated on the system and how courts operate. Who are the judges? Which judge hears which type of case? Other major cities around the country may have blogs dedicated to their legal systems, but there are no blogs devoted entirely to the practice of law and appeal in Las Vegas. The residents here want to be informed, and tourists who are in need of legal assistance should be able to know where to turn.
Legal News in Las Vegas
The legal issues of entertainment law, real estate, and immigration trends are especially noteworthy in Las Vegas.
Entertainment Law – Las Vegas is one of the entertainment capitals of the world. As a result, there is a strong focus on entertainment law, which includes negotiation and drafting of contracts, intellectual property protection, and labor and employment concerns. As performers, mechanics, custodial staff and everyone else involved in putting on a show will tell you, getting the contracts right is critical to making sure that all parties get what they expect. The Ticket Broker Law of 2009 also places some burdens on ticket brokers that may have an effect on the market.
Real Estate – Property and real estate disputes are important issues throughout Nevada and the United States, but there may be some unique concerns in Las Vegas. With the real estate market flat across parts of the country, Las Vegas’ niche, "A Second House in a Warm Climate," may appeal to those who can afford it. But, as foreclosure continues to be an issue throughout the region residency policy may become more popular. Also, with sales rebounding in Las Vegas, the issues affecting condo hotels may be worth following since they are likely to develop very differently as time goes on.
Immigration Trends – After the 2007 immigration raid on Plastech out in Northern Nevada, Las Vegas may see more federal immigration raids in the future. Additionally, increased border security has been a focus of the current administration. However, questions of residency and citizenship must be considered in the context of the surrounding issues of civil rights, worker’s rights, and national security. Las Vegas being a part of the Western area for immigration to the United States, and Reno being a part of the Eastern area may need to plan accordingly to meet the national policies of border security.
Nevada Law
The legal system in Las Vegas operates within the framework of the Nevada legal system. This system is made up of various courts, legal procedures, and significant legislation that affect the residents of Las Vegas and the greater state of Nevada.
At the top of the court hierarchy is the Supreme Court of Nevada, the highest court for the state. It’s based in Carson City, not Las Vegas, and has seven justices who are elected to serve six-year terms. Below the Supreme Court, in descending order, are the District Courts, Justice Courts, Municipal Courts, and several other specialized courts, such as the Family Court and the Traffic Court.
The District Courts are the general trial courts for the State of Nevada. The Las Vegas District Court system has 15 different locations around the Las Vegas area, dealing with civil, criminal, family, juvenile and probate matters. A District Court handling juvenile matters is presided over by a Family Court Judge. The 12th Judicial District Court is the home court for Las Vegas.
For Justice and Municipal Courts, there are 13 separate locations in the Las Vegas area, handling a variety of matters from Commissioner Hearings (Small Claims) through criminal and civil cases. The Las Vegas Justice Court system is set up to handle both civil and criminal cases.
Probate is a Term of Art that refers to the court proceeding involved with the handling of the estate of a deceased person. A specific division in the Second Judicial District Court is charged with handling these Probate matters.
As in all states, Nevada uses a system of state and federal laws to govern the activities of individuals and businesses. There are many important laws that affect Las Vegas residents, including gaming laws, labor laws, family laws, and labor laws.
Economic and labor laws focus on employment rights, protections against workplace discrimination, anti-harassment measures, worker’s compensation issues, and wage theft laws. Gaming laws relate to the regulation of gambling in the state, including the licensing and oversight of casinos. Education, health care, family, and juvenile justice is regulated by numerous laws that govern everything from compulsory public education to the elimination of child abuse. Banning laws and similar legislation control the production, sale, and use of firearms.
Las Vegas Legal Resources
The Las Vegas legal scene is pretty sophisticated for a city whose urban existence is only around 100 years old. That sophisticated scene is certainly highlighted in this blog post as seen here. But it is also highlighted, in no small part by the resources available to residents who have need of legal guidance and advice.
The first point I wish to make is that this does not have to cost money. Sometimes when you think of "legal resources," it’s very easy to think, immediately, well that’s something I have to pay for. I have to hire a lawyer and pay by the hour. While that is true in some cases, I would encourage you to explore the free resources first, before you go off spending money that you might not have.
The very first place that comes to mind are the legal aid services available in Las Vegas. "Legal Aid" is a general term that gets thrown around and typically means a number of programs that offer free legal services to those who qualify . Five great examples of legal aid services for the Las Vegas area are: Nevada Legal Services, Clark County Bar Association Volunteer Lawyers Program, Washoe Legal Services, the Clark County Law Library, and the Federal Pro Bono Program. Neither of these services will offer you representation, but they will at least help answer your questions (Nevada Legal Services) or point you in the right direction.
If you can afford legal services from Las Vegas personal injury attorneys, then of course you’re going to be able to find multiple avenues suitable to your needs. But the real question in any personal injury matter is whether you actually have a case worth pursuing. Pursuing legal action is a serious endeavor that can present its own complications. It is always best to prepare yourself with a qualified opinion before you set off on a long road.
Las Vegas Lawyer Hiring Guide
It’s important to find the right lawyer in Las Vegas especially if you are new to the area or don’t have much experience retaining a lawyer in other areas. You need to know how to look for what makes up a good lawyer to handle the type of case you will have. You can start off by asking friends in town or reading lawyer reviews online. Once you’ve amassed a list of potential lawyers you’d like to interview there are some key questions you can ask them during the consultation.
Questions to ask:
What education do you have? Ask for their JD and state bar admissions.
How long have you lived and practiced law in our city?
Have you handled a case like mine? (Get as much detail about your case as you can and present them with a general overview during the consultation).
Have you been involved with any organizations or groups that provide advocacy for issues related to my case?
What is your fee structure including retainer, hourly rates, and other fees?
Ask your attorney about their practice philosophy .
How often can we expect communication and from whom?
What are the next steps?
If you feel you have found a good fit for you ensure you ask for all of the terms of the retainer to be provided in writing before you sign a contract. Understand front loaded retainer fees and what standard hourly fees will be in addition to the retainer. If you need them, they should provide you with a list of co lawyers, lease space sharing, or even law firms they associate with for more challenging cases. Inquire if they will assist you in seeking mediation of your issues as well outside of court. Always ask what the objectives are that you would like to achieve with their team with this engagement. Set a timeline for when you will want to know about updates on your case, if things are quiet, make sure you ask about this directly with your attorney. They should provide you with a contact sheet and easy means of communication, such as email or text, depending on your preference. Work hard to develop an effective relationship with your lawyer as they represent you and your interests.