Important New Changes to Nevada’s Traffic Laws

traffic police,traffic control on the roadBeginning January 1, 2023, pursuant to Nevada Assembly Bill 116, some traffic violations will no longer be considered criminal misdemeanors, but rather a “civil infraction.” For example, no longer considered a crime are violations for broken taillight, speeding (as long it’s not for traveling above 30 mph), or riding in the bed of a truck. The benefit to this change in the law is that a judge can no longer sentence you to jail for these types of violations or for not paying any fine a judge imposes. However, failure to pay a fine on a civil infraction will be referred to a collection’s agency or a judge could order that your wages/income be garnished to pay the fine.

As a brief summary, please be aware that some things will not change due to the new law:

  • Violations for common acts like DUI, no driver’s license, and no insurance will still be prosecuted criminally.
  • Even civil infractions will still receive DMV “demerit points,” which subject your license to being suspended.
  • Once pulled over by the police, even for a civil infraction, the police can still investigate other crimes they have reasonable suspicion to believe you have or are committing, so please don’t forget your right to remain silent and your right to deny a police officer consent to search your person or your car!

You can read an overview of the new law here: Law decriminalizing many traffic tickets goes into effect Jan. 1 – Nevada Current

However, if you have questions about the new law and how it potentially impacts a citation you received, please call our office immediately.