Clark County, Nevada Criminal Records Search: Cases & Public Records

The most important step

Which Clark County Court Holds Your Criminal Records?

Clark County has multiple courts with different criminal jurisdiction. Searching the wrong court is one of the most common reasons a criminal case cannot be found.

Why one felony may have two different court records

A Nevada felony case may begin in Justice Court, where the judge handles initial proceedings, bail and a preliminary hearing.

If the matter is bound over for prosecution in District Court, subsequent proceedings occur in the Eighth Judicial District Court.

Consequently, you might find an early Justice Court case and a later District Court case arising from the same criminal incident.

Felony and District Court criminal records

How to Search Eighth Judicial District Court Criminal Cases Online

The Eighth Judicial District Court serves Clark County and maintains criminal court records through the Clerk of the Court.

Its current online system is the Odyssey Portal, which provides Smart Search for public case records and access to qualifying case documents.

The court has also published a seven-page official Smart Search tutorial explaining name searches, case-number searches, wildcards and advanced filtering.

Step-by-step: Search criminal records by name

1. Open the District Court Portal

   Go to clarkcountycourts.us/portal.

   The portal requires a supported browser with JavaScript and cookies enabled.

2. Select Smart Search

   On the main portal page, select Smart Search to access the public case-search form.

3. Enter the defendant’s name in the correct order

   The court’s official tutorial uses the format:

   Last Name, First Name

   For example, a search for a person named John Smith would use Smith, John.

4. Click Submit

   The portal opens the Search Results tab with cases matching the entered criteria.

5. Sort or filter the results

   The court’s tutorial explains that column headings can sort results and column filter icons can narrow the displayed matches.

6. Identify the criminal case

   Review the case number, case classification, filing information and other available details. Do not confuse a criminal prosecution with a civil, family or probate proceeding.

7. Open the case number

   Select the relevant case to view public case information, events and hearing entries.

8. Examine the case outcome

   Review available minute entries, judgments, sentencing information and other docket activity.

9. Check for available documents

   When public documents are offered through the portal, follow the court’s online purchase process if you need copies.

10. Contact the Clerk for certified records

    Certified and exemplified copies are handled separately from ordinary online document purchases.

How to search a Clark County case number

If you already have the full case number, enter it into Smart Search and click Submit.

This can be more precise than a name-based search, especially when several defendants have similar names.

Smart Search wildcard tips

The District Court allows wildcard searching with an asterisk (*).

According to its tutorial, wildcard searches require at least three characters before the asterisk in the last name and at least one character before the asterisk in the first name.

Advanced filtering by SCOPE ID

An especially useful Clark County-specific feature is the Odyssey Portal’s Cross-Reference Number search.

When you have a Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department SCOPE identification number, the District Court tutorial directs users to select Cross-Reference Number in Advanced Filtering Options and enter the SCOPE number.

The portal also supports searching by attorney, attorney bar number, case number and judicial officer through its advanced options.

Las Vegas Justice Court criminal cases

How to Search Las Vegas Justice Court Criminal Records

Las Vegas Justice Court has its own Odyssey Public Access Case Records website.

Do not confuse it with the newer District Court Odyssey Portal. The two systems serve different courts and different stages of criminal proceedings.

How to search by defendant name

1. Open Las Vegas Justice Court Records Inquiry

   Visit the official Odyssey public-access site for Las Vegas Township Justice Court.

2. Choose View and Pay Criminal Records

   This option opens the criminal case lookup, rather than the civil-record or traffic-payment sections.

3. Select Defendant from the search dropdown

   The court’s search instructions identify Defendant as the appropriate option for a criminal name search.

4. Enter first and last names

   Both first and last name are required. Middle name and date of birth are optional fields.

5. Use additional filters when necessary

   The court allows narrowing by Case Status and Date Filed. Choose open, closed or all cases, and add an approximate filing period where known.

6. Submit the search

   The system returns public matching criminal cases.

7. Open the case number

   Select the case-number link to view the Register of Actions.

8. Review the charges and disposition

   Look for the current case status, hearing entries and available final outcome.

Las Vegas Justice Court wildcard searches

The court supports an asterisk in name fields for partial-name searches.

For example, if you know only the first letter of a defendant’s first name, an asterisk can be used after that initial in the corresponding field.

Name searches are not case-sensitive, so capitalization does not affect results.

What if more than 200 results appear?

Las Vegas Justice Court’s search-help page states that broad searches display only the first 200 matches.

If that limit is reached, narrow the search with the defendant’s middle name, date of birth, filing dates or case status.

Las Vegas Justice Court telephone assistance

Criminal payments: 702-671-3201
Traffic payments: 702-671-3444

Courthouse: Regional Justice Center, 200 Lewis Avenue, Las Vegas, Nevada 89101.

For case-file records rather than payments, use the official Clark County Justice Courts directory to find the appropriate division or clerk.

Other townships within Clark County

Henderson, North Las Vegas, Laughlin and Other Justice Court Records

Clark County provides a separate Web Public Access case-search service for the following Justice Courts:

• Boulder City
• Bunkerville
• Goodsprings
• Henderson
• Laughlin
• Mesquite
• Moapa
• Moapa Valley
• North Las Vegas
• Searchlight

These township Justice Court records are not searched through the ordinary Las Vegas Justice Court criminal lookup.

How to search a township Justice Court case

1. Open the countywide Justice Court portal

   Go to cvpublicaccess.clarkcountynv.gov.

2. Read and accept the public access terms

   The portal requires users to accept its terms before proceeding.

3. Select the applicable township court

   Use the available court or location options to narrow the search when appropriate.

4. Choose a supported search method

   The county states that searches can be performed using a name, case number or ticket number.

5. Enter the available case information

   Use the most specific accurate information available.

6. Open the matching case

   Review the public case information and available court-calendar details.

7. Contact the court for records not shown online

   Some records are restricted, older or not yet posted. Ask the responsible Justice Court about official copies and access.

Henderson and North Las Vegas Justice Courts

Laughlin, Mesquite and rural township cases

The county maintains Justice Courts for communities outside central Las Vegas. These courts may hold the original misdemeanor or preliminary criminal file when the offense occurred within their township jurisdiction.

For example:

• Laughlin Justice Court: 101 Civic Way, Suite 2, Laughlin; telephone 702-298-4622.
• Goodsprings Justice Court: 23120 South Las Vegas Boulevard, Jean; telephone 702-874-1405.
• Moapa Justice Court: 1340 East Highway 168, Moapa; telephone 702-864-2333.
• Moapa Valley Justice Court: 320 North Moapa Valley Boulevard; telephone 702-397-2840.

For Mesquite, Searchlight, Boulder City and Bunkerville, use the official Justice Court jurisdiction directory to confirm the latest court address and contact method.

City-operated courts are different

Las Vegas and Henderson Municipal Court Criminal Records

Not every misdemeanor filed in Clark County belongs to a Justice Court.

City Municipal Courts may handle qualifying city ordinance violations and misdemeanor matters within their jurisdiction.

This distinction is particularly important in Las Vegas and Henderson, where a search for a municipal case may return no result in the county Justice Court system.

Las Vegas Municipal Court case search

The City of Las Vegas operates its own Municipal Court portal.

The public name-search form provides fields for:

• Last name.
• First name.
• Date of birth.
• CAPTCHA verification.

The form marks both last name and date of birth as required.

Henderson Municipal Court search

The City of Henderson maintains a separate Municipal Court public-access service.

Its website allows users to view publicly available case information after accepting the court’s terms.

The system also provides links for requesting copies and checking its published active-warrant information.

Henderson Municipal Court phone: 702-267-3300.

Local search tips and court terminology

Clark County Criminal Case Numbers, SCOPE IDs and Docket Information

Several identifiers may appear in Clark County criminal paperwork. They serve different purposes.

Can I search by attorney?

Yes. The District Court Odyssey Portal supports attorney-related advanced searches, including attorney name and bar number.

Las Vegas Justice Court’s public search instructions also describe attorney-name searching.

What if the court case number includes dashes?

Follow the formatting requirements of the specific portal.

The Las Vegas Justice Court help page says a case-number search may omit dashes, but the rest of the number should be entered correctly.

How do I locate a hearing?

Use the court-calendar section of the portal handling the case.

For District Court, look at the hearing and event information associated with the case. For township Justice Courts, the countywide portal also provides court-calendar access.

Time-sensitive hearing information should be confirmed with the court or the defendant’s attorney.

Original judgments and certified records

How to Obtain Certified Clark County Nevada Criminal Court Records

A public docket is useful for finding a case, but it may not satisfy the requirements of an immigration agency, licensing authority, employer or attorney requesting an official court disposition.

For an Eighth Judicial District Court criminal case, the Clerk accepts requests for plain, certified or exemplified documents.

Step-by-step District Court copy request

1. Locate the original criminal case

   Search the Eighth Judicial District Court Odyssey Portal by case number or defendant name.

2. Identify the document needed

   Examples include a judgment of conviction, sentencing order, dismissal order, plea-related filing or other available case document.

3. Choose the copy type

   Determine whether an ordinary copy, certified copy or exemplified copy is required.

4. Complete the Clerk’s copy-request form

   Use the form available on the official Records Search and Viewing page.

5. Submit the request

   The court allows copy requests to be emailed to recordsrequest@clarkcountycourts.us.

6. Choose mailing or pickup

   Indicate whether the documents should be mailed or held for collection at the records counter.

7. Confirm fees and processing

   Pay the applicable copying and certification charges after receiving the court’s instructions.

Clark County District Court copy fees

Can I buy District Court criminal documents online?

Yes. The court’s Odyssey Portal permits online purchases of certain public case documents.

Its instructions explain that users must register for an account, verify their email and request the necessary extended access before purchasing documents.

Once approved, the purchaser can use Smart Search, open the case, select a document and complete checkout.

Public online copies are charged at $0.50 per page plus a 3% convenience fee.

Certified and exemplified copies are not available through the ordinary online document-purchase process. Request these through the Clerk.

Historical Clark County criminal files

How to Find Clark County Nevada Criminal Records Before 1990

The Eighth Judicial District Court Clerk maintains records from September 1909 to the present.

Most records dating from approximately 1990 onward can be searched electronically.

For older cases, the Clerk provides historical record searches and access to available microfilm or microfiche materials.

How to request an older criminal file

1. Find the defendant’s full name.
2. Identify the approximate filing or sentencing year.
3. Determine whether the case was handled in District Court.
4. Complete the court’s search-request form.
5. Submit the request through the Clerk’s records department.
6. Pay the applicable historical search fee.
7. Request copies of any located public documents.

The published fee for a pre-1990 records search is $0.50 per year, per name.

Because older records may need retrieval from microfilm or microfiche, they are not necessarily available immediately.

The Clerk states that requests requiring historical retrieval may take approximately five to ten business days or longer, depending on the records involved.

Where are records before September 1909?

The District Court’s official guidance states that records predating September 1909 must be sought from Lincoln County.

This historical distinction is important when researching very old Nevada criminal proceedings.

Arrests and detention information

Clark County Detention Center Inmate and Arrest Records Search

For current custody information, use the official Clark County Detention Center (CCDC) Inmate Search.

CCDC provides a public search for individuals currently held at its facility.

The database is separate from criminal court records and Nevada State Police criminal-history requests.

How to search the CCDC inmate database

1. Open the detention center’s official search

   Go to the Clark County government Inmate Search page.

2. Enter the person’s last name

   The database accepts at least two letters of the last name.

   The county recommends using more than two letters for a more useful result.

3. Alternatively enter an inmate or Justice Court case number

   The search also supports inmate ID and Justice Court case number.

4. Click Submit

   Review matching people and available custody details.

5. Open the matching information

   The website provides options to search using the person’s ID or case number for custody status.

6. Confirm urgent information by phone

   For the most current information, call the CCDC information line.

Why an arrested person may not appear in CCDC

The person may be held in another facility depending on the arresting agency, jurisdiction or booking arrangements.

Clark County and LVMPD identify separate custody facilities for:

• Clark County Detention Center.
• Las Vegas Detention Center.
• North Las Vegas Community Correctional Center.
• Henderson Detention Center.

The LVMPD website provides official links and contact numbers for these custody facilities.

Who does not appear in the public CCDC search?

The detention center states that:

• Individuals younger than 18 are not displayed.
• Individuals in protective custody are not displayed.
• People released from CCDC are no longer listed as current inmates.
• Information can change throughout the day.

Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department

How to Request an LVMPD SCOPE Criminal Background Check

The Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department provides a local criminal-history background record commonly called a SCOPE record.

This service covers arrests and incidents within LVMPD jurisdiction. It is not a complete Nevada statewide or FBI criminal-history report.

LVMPD lists a fee of $13 for its SCOPE background check.

How to obtain your own SCOPE record

1. Choose an official request method

   LVMPD accepts background-check requests through its Records and Fingerprint Bureau, qualifying area commands, online request system or mail.

2. Prepare acceptable photo identification

   LVMPD accepts specified current government-issued photo identification, including a driver’s license, state identification card, passport or qualifying federal identification.

3. Complete the request

   Follow the applicable in-person, online or mail-in instructions.

4. Pay the $13 fee

   Use the payment method accepted for your chosen request route.

5. Follow additional identity verification requirements

   Online or mail requests can require a notarized letter and copies of valid identification.

6. Review your SCOPE history

   Check listed incidents and arrest information. If you need a final court disposition, request it separately from the appropriate court.

Can you request someone else’s SCOPE record?

LVMPD states that an individual can obtain their own SCOPE background check.

If a person authorizes someone else to receive their background record, the department requires an original notarized authorization letter and identification documentation under its published procedures.

You cannot simply search another person’s complete local SCOPE history through a public name-search website.

Nevada statewide criminal-history repository

How to Request Your Nevada State Criminal History Record

The Nevada State Police Records, Communications and Compliance Division maintains the Central Repository for Nevada Records of Criminal History.

The repository contains criminal-history information submitted by Nevada criminal justice agencies.

Unlike some states, Nevada does not provide an unrestricted public statewide criminal-history name search for anyone seeking information about another person.

Ordinary individuals may request their own Nevada criminal-history record, or confirmation that the state repository has no record, through an authorized identity-verification process.

Current request options

Nevada’s updated records-request page identifies two general procedures:

• Electronic request: Available when applying from inside Nevada.
• Manual mail-in request: Required for requests sent from outside Nevada.

The agency separately provides the DPS-006 form for specified circumstances, including qualifying sex-trafficking-victim record requests.

How to request your record from outside Nevada

1. Open the current Nevada State Police Records Request page

   Choose the Manual Request for Nevada Criminal History option for out-of-state applicants.

2. Download the current form and instructions

   Use the document linked by Nevada State Police rather than an outdated third-party copy.

3. Get fingerprinted

   The traditional manual procedure uses a properly completed original fingerprint card, generally Form FD-258.

4. Complete the identification request

   Enter the identifying details and signature required by the current form.

5. Confirm the correct fee

   Nevada’s published DPS-006 instructions list a $27 state criminal-history request fee. Confirm the amount and accepted payment method for your current request type before mailing.

6. Submit the request

   Mail the required fingerprint card, signed form and payment to the Nevada State Police address specified in its current instructions.

7. Allow time for processing

   The agency’s older manual instructions describe processing that can take approximately 30–45 days, with additional mailing time.

8. Review the response

   The repository may issue a criminal-history record or confirmation that no Nevada record was located.

Does the Nevada repository include records from other states?

No. Nevada State Police states that its personal criminal-history response contains information originating from Nevada criminal justice agencies.

It is not a substitute for an FBI Identity History Summary or another state’s repository search.

How far back do Nevada repository records go?

The Nevada State Police FAQ describes fingerprint-linked arrest and disposition information in the central repository beginning around 1987.

To investigate older history, contact the original arresting agency or court, as applicable.

Government fees and search costs

Clark County Nevada Criminal Records Search Fees in 2026

These amounts are drawn from the respective agencies’ published schedules. Search-system access, records-copy charges, fingerprinting service-provider fees and payment methods may change. Confirm the final fee with the office providing the service.

Restricted public criminal history

How Record Sealing Affects Clark County Nevada Criminal Records

Nevada provides a statutory process for sealing qualifying criminal records under NRS Chapter 179.

Sealing may restrict ordinary public access to court and law-enforcement records, but the legal effect depends on the specific court order and statutory exceptions.

What are Nevada’s record-sealing waiting periods?

The main waiting periods under NRS 179.245 depend on the offense category and the applicable qualifying conditions.

For convictions, these periods generally run from the legally specified release, discharge or sentence-ending event—not automatically from the arrest date.

Some crimes, including specified sexual offenses and offenses against children, are excluded from the ordinary record-sealing procedure.

Can a dismissed case be sealed?

NRS 179.255 provides procedures for sealing records after qualifying dismissals, declined prosecutions or acquittals.

The timing and required court depend on the circumstances.

For example, a qualifying acquittal may permit a petition without the same waiting period applicable to a conviction.

How to start the Clark County sealing process

1. Find the original criminal case

   Use the Justice Court or District Court record associated with the matter.

2. Obtain your Nevada criminal-history record

   Nevada’s sealing statute generally requires the petition to be accompanied by current verified criminal-history information from the Central Repository.

3. Check statutory eligibility

   Review the exact conviction, waiting period, exclusion rules and case status.

4. Identify every relevant records custodian

   The sealing procedure can require identifying courts, police agencies and other entities holding relevant records.

5. Prepare the petition and proposed order

   Follow the appropriate court’s instructions, using official forms or qualified legal assistance where necessary.

6. Follow the court and prosecutor notification procedure

   Comply with applicable filing, service and hearing requirements.

7. Confirm implementation of the sealing order

   A signed sealing order may need to be transmitted to the custodians identified in the order.

Other official criminal justice searches

Nevada State Prison, Federal Criminal Cases and Police Reports

Common reasons a search fails

Why Clark County Nevada Criminal Records May Not Appear Online

What if a criminal record contains an incorrect disposition?

Start with the original court that handled the prosecution.

Find the correct case number and obtain a certified judgment, dismissal or other final disposition.

If the incorrect information appears in the Nevada State Police criminal-history repository, use the repository’s official record-review and challenge procedure.

The Nevada State Police Records Request page provides the DPS-008-X Criminal History Challenge form and related inspection instructions.

Lawful background checks and consumer reports

Can Clark County Criminal Records Be Used for Employment Background Checks?

Public court records may help locate criminal case information, but they do not automatically constitute a complete or legally compliant employment background check.

Employers, landlords and screening organizations may be subject to federal Fair Credit Reporting Act requirements and other applicable laws.

An LVMPD SCOPE history is limited to LVMPD jurisdiction, while the Nevada repository covers qualifying Nevada-reported criminal history under separate access rules.

For a regulated profession or occupation, an authorized fingerprint-based background check may be required instead of a public name lookup.

• Confirm that the record belongs to the correct individual.
• Distinguish arrest, filed charges and final conviction.
• Review dismissals and acquittals accurately.
• Check whether the record was sealed or otherwise restricted.
• Use the screening procedure required by the relevant agency or law.
• Follow applicable notification, consent and dispute rules.

Frequently asked Clark County questions

Clark County Nevada Criminal Records Search FAQs

Original government websites

Official Clark County Nevada Criminal Records Search Links

Use these official resources for the original court databases, court documents, detention information and criminal-history procedures.

Eighth Judicial District Court

• Eighth Judicial District Court — Odyssey Public Access Portal
• District Court — Smart Search Tutorial PDF
• District Court — Document Purchase Instructions and Fees
• District Court — Clerk and Records Office
• District Court — Records Search, Copy Requests and Certifications
• District Court — Self-Represented Litigant Sealed-Case Access

Justice Courts and Municipal Courts

• Las Vegas Justice Court — Criminal Case Search
• Las Vegas Justice Court — Search Instructions and 200-Result Limit
• Clark County Justice Courts — Other Township Case Search
• Clark County — Justice Court Jurisdiction Directory
• Henderson Justice Court — Official Information
• North Las Vegas Justice Court — Official Information
• Las Vegas Municipal Court — Public Case Search
• Henderson Municipal Court — Public Case Information

Arrest, Jail and Background Records

• Clark County Detention Center — Inmate Search
• LVMPD — County and City Detention Center Search Directory
• LVMPD — SCOPE Background Checks
• LVMPD — Records and Fingerprint Bureau
• Nevada Department of Corrections — Offender Search

Nevada State Criminal History and Record Sealing

• Nevada State Police — Personal Criminal History Requests
• Nevada State Police — Current Forms and Fingerprinting Fees
• Nevada State Police — October 2026 Fingerprint Fee Schedule PDF
• Nevada Legislature — Criminal Record Sealing Under NRS 179
• Nevada Legislature — Criminal History Repository Law, NRS 179A
• U.S. Courts — PACER Federal Criminal Case Search