I am your court appointed lawwyer in Las Vegas Municipal Court Dept. 4
Welcome. I am your lawyer, and I am here to provide a dedicated defense for indigent residents and visitors of Las Vegas. I am your counselor, advisor, and advocate. I will review your case, answer your questions, and give you my honest advice. I will make every reasonable effort to ensure that your case is resolved fairly. If necessary, I will represent you at a trial, where you are presumed innocent until proven guilty.
Communication
I represent you through a contract, while also maintaining a private practice. I am very busy with both private and public clients. Communication is important, so please follow these guidelines to make it efficient and meaningful:
If you need to communicate with me, I require that it be in writing. For quick questions, text me at 702.907.2946. This line is set to "do not disturb," so calls will go straight to an unmonitored voicemail; I will not get a voice message left on this line!
For longer requests, email LVMC4PD@GMAIL.COM.
Written communication creates a record and allows me to review past correspondence. It also gives me time to find answers to your questions.
Always include your full name in any text or email, and include your case number. When you respond to an email, please use the "reply" button.
What’s next?
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Wait for the “Pre-Trial” hearing. I generally do not have substantive information about your case until that time. At the pre-trial, I will review the written discovery (police report/investigation); the prosecutor will typically extend an initial offer to resolve the matter. At that point, I will evaluate the offer and discuss options with you so you can make an informed decision. Meaningful conversations about your case usually cannot occur until I have had the opportunity to review these materials.
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Discovery: It may take several weeks after the pre-trial hearing for me to get copies of all your discovery, including video evidence. You are entitled to review all the discovery (written and video); if you want copies, you must request it.
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Your options at the pre-trial hearing are typically these:
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You can accept the offer; I will make reasonable counter-offers and negotiate as long as it is productive.
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You can set your case for trial. Trials are usually set within 45 days, and you will be required to be physically present in the court, even if you live out of state.
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You can get a brief continuance for good cause. The typical reasons to continue are: to consult with or hire another attorney or professional, to verify information in the case, or to consider the offer and weigh the options.
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If you live out of state or are unable to attend a scheduled court date, notify me immediately and be prepared to provide documentation supporting your situation. You may also contact the Judge’s executive assistant, but only for urgent scheduling conflicts.
If you don't know your case number, court date, or need information about your charges or plea, you can look up your case online. Click the button below to be directed to the appropriate site.
If you need to appear by ZOOM or will be late or miss your court date, contact the Judge's Executive Assistant.
If you have questions or need help with 1) classes, 2) fines, or 3)other case requirements, contact the Court Compliance Officer.
Judge’s Executive Assistant
Name: Theresa Aguilera
Phone: 702-382-6878
Email: Lvmcdept4@lasvegasnevada.gov
Court Compliance Officer
Name: Erika Rodriguez
Phone: 702.229.6872
Email: erodriguez@lasvegasnevada.gov
Find Your Case & Key Court Contacts
Make a Payment
Click the RED tab, it links to the official Court Website. Click "go" in the DEFENDANT section.
Fill in your personal details or specific case number. Select the relevant case you wish to pay.
Click "Make a plea/payment" near the top.
Complete the form and follow the instructions.
If you have problem with an online payment, please call the Court at 702-382-6878. I can not help you with payment issues. You can always pay in person at 100 E. Clark Ave. on the first floor; I recommend going in the afternoon to avoid long lines.
Trials
If you do not accept a settlement offer, your case will be set for trial. In some cases, the defense takes a “wait and see” approach, focusing on whether the prosecution can produce its witnesses and sufficient evidence. In those situations, preparation may be more limited and centered on holding the State to its burden of proof.
In other cases, a trial may proceed against my advice. While I will always provide a competent and ethical defense, I will not spend excessive time on arguments or theories that lack merit. I cannot present misinterpretations of the law or pursue frivolous claims.
Once your case is set for trial—or earlier upon request—you may obtain your written discovery (such as police reports) by email. If you wish to review video evidence, I will try to provide electronic access. If that is not possible, you may bring a new flash drive for copies.
If you plan to call witnesses, you must provide their names and contact information as soon as possible. Witnesses must be disclosed to the prosecutor, and I may ask for a written summary of their testimony. While the final decision is yours, I strongly recommend calling only witnesses who are relevant and credible.
You have an absolute right not to testify. If you choose to do so, you must testify truthfully and will be subject to cross-examination. Please consult with me beforehand so you understand the risks and benefits.
Effective trial preparation may include reviewing evidence, identifying legal issues, filing motions, and developing a strategy for presenting your defense. Your cooperation is essential. To achieve the best outcome, you must be honest with me and follow my legal advice.
Remote Court/Zoom
You may appear remotely at your upcoming court date by Zoom, if
You have a valid excuse for a remote appearance (you live out of state, or are traveling, or you are hospitalized, etc.).
Zoom must be pre-approved by and arranged through the judge’s assistant, Theresa Aguilera, at 702.382.6878 or lvmcdept4@lasvegasnevada.gov
At the initial hearing, I will relay an offer from the prosecutor; at that time, you can
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Accept the offer,
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Set the matter for trial, or
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Request a continuance so you can consider your options or get a 2nd opinion.
If you are going to plead guilty or no contest to certain cases (Domestic Violence, DUI, etc.) that require a written waiver, those documents will be emailed, and a new date will be given so that you have time to review the waiver and go over it with me before you can accept the offer.
If your case goes to trial, you are required to be physically present in the courtroom for the trial.
Once your case is adjudicated (a plea is entered or a trial verdict of “guilty” is issued by the Judge), you may be required to appear remotely at follow-up hearings to check the status of your case. These appearances are your responsibility.
The link for any remote hearings by Zoom will remain the same; you can use the same link for each appearance. Do not expect a new invitation for every hearing.
NOTE: I will not make any appearances on your behalf unless you have received that commitment from me in writing. You are responsible for attending all hearings.
Zoom Info:
Meeting ID # 444 166 7171, passcode 9205. Or use the following link:
https://clv.zoom.us/j/4441667171?pwd=wOOLHcuD0YxEy6EhqlnH2nRdi95Aj4.1&omn=83720423633.
Quashing a Warrant
There are 3 basic ways to quash your municipal court warrant.
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Get arrested. Nobody wants this, but if you don’t do anything, this is what will happen if you remain in Nevada.
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Get a “walk-in”. This is done by going to the Courthouse at 100 E. Clark and seeing a clerk at the first-floor windows right as you walk into the building. Ask them for a “walk-in”; they will give you a court date, usually within 2-3 days. They will also ask you to pay a warrant fee of $125 to quash the warrant. If you pay the fee, the warrant is quashed right then; if you do not pay the fee, you will remain in warrant until the new date. I usually advise not to pay, as the warrant will be quashed in court…and the $125 will not keep you out of jail if there are problems with your case. If you have real concerns that you will be arrested and detained before your new court date, then pay the fee; but when you come to court, remind me that you paid it, and I will try to get it applied to other fees or fines or refunded.
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Motion to quash. It is my policy not to file this motion unless no “walk-in” is available. If I file this motion for you, it will take longer to get you into court, and you do not have the option to pay the warrant fee. You will remain in warrant until the court date.
NOTE: You should contact Municipal Court and verify if you are eligible for a walk-in before you enter the courthouse. You can call 702-382-6878 and ask for verification.
If you feel that your case requires a motion, please email me and explain the situation. Valid reasons for me to file the motion are:
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No “walk-in” available;
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You live out of state;
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You are hospitalized, committed, or reside in assisted living.
There could be other reasons for a motion; feel free to communicate them to me through an email.
IF YOU ARE IN JAIL SOMEWHERE ELSE, it is very unlikely the judge will quash your warrant. You will be transported to the City Jail when you are released from where you are currently serving time. When you are transferred to the city, you will appear in front of the judge the next day (Usually, unless it’s a weekend), and when you see the judge, you can ask for a release.
If you are serving a significant amount of time (usually more than 6 months), I highly advise you to send a “kite,” also known as a letter motion. These “kites” are typically handwritten notes asking for concurrent time (close out your city case with the jail time you are currently serving in another jurisdiction.
If you send a “kite,” please include the following:
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Your name and case number.
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What you want the judge to do. I recommend you ask for: 1) your warrant to be quashed and 2) “credit for time served or in the alternative a concurrent sentence” (say it just like that).
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Make sure you include the date you went into custody (on the current incarceration) and how long you expect to serve. If the total number is less than 6 months, you will probably be denied, but it doesn’t hurt to ask.
If your kite is denied, I do not recommend sending the same or similar request.