Charges and sentences
Felony and misdemeanor classes in Nevada
Nevada sorts felonies into five categories, A through E, and then has gross misdemeanors and misdemeanors. Category A is the most serious. Each offense's own statute says which category applies.1
Checked October 29, 2026 against Nevada's own statutes, then by a second reader. General information, not legal advice.
- What makes it a felony
- In Nevada, a felony is any crime that can be punished by death or by imprisonment in the state prison. A misdemeanor is a crime with a maximum of a $1,000 fine or 6 months in county jail. Every other crime is a gross misdemeanor.1
- Felony theft starts at
- $1,200How theft is graded
- When a DUI is a felony
- A third DUI within 7 years is a category B felony (1 to 6 years in prison and a fine of $2,000 to $5,000). A DUI after a prior felony DUI conviction is also a category B felony (2 to 15 years).2
Felony classes in Nevada
From most to least serious: Category A, Category B, Category C, Category D, Category E. The sentence is the range the law allows; the judge picks within it.
| Class | Prison | Fine | The law |
|---|---|---|---|
| Category A felony | Death, or life in prison with or without the possibility of paroleThe specific statute for the offense says which sentence applies. | None set | Nev. Rev. Stat. § 193.130(2)(a)1 |
| Category B felony | 1 to 20 yearsThe exact range is set by the specific statute for the offense; the minimum is at least 1 year and the maximum is no more than 20 years. | None set | Nev. Rev. Stat. § 193.130(2)(b)1 |
| Category C felony | 1 to 5 years | Up to $10,000 | Nev. Rev. Stat. § 193.130(2)(c)1 |
| Category D felony | 1 to 4 years | Up to $5,000 | Nev. Rev. Stat. § 193.130(2)(d)1 |
| Category E felony | 1 to 4 yearsIn most cases the court must suspend the prison sentence and grant probation, which can include up to 1 year in county jail. | Up to $5,000 | Nev. Rev. Stat. § 193.130(2)(e)1 |
Misdemeanor classes in Nevada
| Class | Jail | Fine | The law |
|---|---|---|---|
| Gross misdemeanor | Up to 364 daysA statute for a specific offense can set a different penalty. | Up to $2,000 | Nev. Rev. Stat. § 193.1401 |
| Misdemeanor | Up to 6 monthsA statute for a specific offense can set a different penalty. | Up to $1,000 | Nev. Rev. Stat. § 193.150(1)1 |
Good to know
For categories B through E, the minimum prison term cannot be more than 40 percent of the maximum term the judge imposes.1
For categories A and B, the exact sentence is set by the statute for the specific offense. Most Nevada offenses name their own category.1
When theft is a felony in Nevada
In Nevada, theft of property worth $1,200 or more is a felony. From $1,200 to under $5,000 it is a category D felony, and it rises to category C at $5,000 and category B at $25,000. Below $1,200 it is a misdemeanor.3
Nev. Rev. Stat. § 205.0835(2) · Felony theft amounts in every state
DUI in Nevada
NRS chapter 484C is titled "Driving Under the Influence of Alcohol or a Prohibited Substance." Its main offense section, NRS 484C.110, makes it unlawful to drive or be in actual physical control of a vehicle while under the influence; DUI is the common shorthand, and the chapter itself uses it in the name of its DUI Reduction Program.
- Repeat offenses
- A third DUI within 7 years is a category B felony (1 to 6 years in prison and a fine of $2,000 to $5,000). A DUI after a prior felony DUI conviction is also a category B felony (2 to 15 years).
- Which past offenses count
- 7 years before the new offense. Time spent in prison, in residential confinement, under a treatment provider's supervision, on parole or on probation is not counted toward the 7 years.
- Other felony versions
- A DUI that causes death or substantial bodily harm to another person is a category B felony: 2 to 25 years if it causes a death (5 to 25 years with one or two prior offenses) and 2 to 20 years for substantial bodily harm. A DUI that causes a death by a driver previously convicted of at least three offenses is vehicular homicide, a category A felony (life with parole eligibility after 10 years, or a definite 25 years). A DUI after a prior felony DUI or DUI homicide conviction is also a category B felony.
Nev. Rev. Stat. §§ 484C.110, 484C.130, 484C.400, 484C.410, 484C.430, 484C.4402 · Felony DUI rules in every state
After a conviction
Common questions
What is a felony in Nevada?
In Nevada, a felony is any crime that can be punished by death or by imprisonment in the state prison. A misdemeanor is a crime with a maximum of a $1,000 fine or 6 months in county jail. Every other crime is a gross misdemeanor.
What is a Category A felony in Nevada?
In Nevada, the prison range for a Category A felony is death, or life in prison with or without the possibility of parole. The specific statute for the offense says which sentence applies.
What is a Category B felony in Nevada?
In Nevada, the prison range for a Category B felony is 1 to 20 years. The exact range is set by the specific statute for the offense; the minimum is at least 1 year and the maximum is no more than 20 years.
What is a Category C felony in Nevada?
In Nevada, the prison range for a Category C felony is 1 to 5 years, and the fine is up to $10,000.
What is a Category D felony in Nevada?
In Nevada, the prison range for a Category D felony is 1 to 4 years, and the fine is up to $5,000.
What is a Category E felony in Nevada?
In Nevada, the prison range for a Category E felony is 1 to 4 years, and the fine is up to $5,000. In most cases the court must suspend the prison sentence and grant probation, which can include up to 1 year in county jail.
What is a gross misdemeanor in Nevada?
In Nevada, the jail range for a gross misdemeanor is up to 364 days, and the fine is up to $2,000. A statute for a specific offense can set a different penalty.
What is a misdemeanor in Nevada?
In Nevada, the jail range for a misdemeanor is up to 6 months, and the fine is up to $1,000. A statute for a specific offense can set a different penalty.
How much theft is a felony in Nevada?
In Nevada, theft of property worth $1,200 or more is a felony. From $1,200 to under $5,000 it is a category D felony, and it rises to category C at $5,000 and category B at $25,000. Below $1,200 it is a misdemeanor.
Is a DUI a felony in Nevada?
A third DUI within 7 years is a category B felony (1 to 6 years in prison and a fine of $2,000 to $5,000). A DUI after a prior felony DUI conviction is also a category B felony (2 to 15 years). A DUI that causes death or substantial bodily harm to another person is a category B felony: 2 to 25 years if it causes a death (5 to 25 years with one or two prior offenses) and 2 to 20 years for substantial bodily harm. A DUI that causes a death by a driver previously convicted of at least three offenses is vehicular homicide, a category A felony (life with parole eligibility after 10 years, or a definite 25 years). A DUI after a prior felony DUI or DUI homicide conviction is also a category B felony.
These are the general ranges in Nevada's sentencing laws. A specific crime can carry its own minimum or maximum, and past convictions can raise the range. This isn't legal advice; a defense lawyer or public defender can tell you what applies to a case.
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Cite this page
Second Chance Index, "Felony and misdemeanor classes in Nevada" https://secondchanceindex.com/felony-classes/nevada, checked October 29, 2026.
Sources
Each source was opened and checked on October 29, 2026.
- Nev. Rev. Stat. § 193.120(2)-(4)
- Nev. Rev. Stat. §§ 484C.110, 484C.130, 484C.400, 484C.410, 484C.430, 484C.440
- Nev. Rev. Stat. § 205.0835(2)
- Nevada Revised Statutes Chapter 193 - Penalties (Rev. 4/15/2026, through 2025 session)Nevada Legislature
- Nevada Revised Statutes Chapter 205 - Crimes Against Property (Rev. 4/15/2026, through 2025 session)Nevada Legislature
- Nevada Revised Statutes Chapter 484C - Driving Under the Influence (Rev. 9/9/2026)Nevada Legislature