1.  Except as otherwise provided in this subsection, upon a plea of guilty, guilty but mentally ill or nolo contendere, but before a judgment of guilt, the court may, without entering a judgment of guilt and with the consent of the defendant, defer judgment on the case to a specified future date and set forth specific terms and conditions for the defendant. The duration of the deferral period must not exceed the applicable period set forth in subsection 1 of NRS 176A.500 or the extension of the period pursuant to subsection 2 of NRS 176A.500. The court may not defer judgment pursuant to this subsection if the defendant has entered into a plea agreement with a prosecuting attorney unless the plea agreement allows the deferral.

Terms Used In Nevada Revised Statutes 176.211

  • Arrest: Taking physical custody of a person by lawful authority.
  • Bail: Security given for the release of a criminal defendant or witness from legal custody (usually in the form of money) to secure his/her appearance on the day and time appointed.
  • Conviction: A judgement of guilt against a criminal defendant.
  • Defendant: In a civil suit, the person complained against; in a criminal case, the person accused of the crime.
  • Dismissal: The dropping of a case by the judge without further consideration or hearing. Source:
  • Division: means the Division of Parole and Probation of the Department of Public Safety. See Nevada Revised Statutes 176.002
  • Indictment: The formal charge issued by a grand jury stating that there is enough evidence that the defendant committed the crime to justify having a trial; it is used primarily for felonies.
  • Nolo contendere: No contest-has the same effect as a plea of guilty, as far as the criminal sentence is concerned, but may not be considered as an admission of guilt for any other purpose.
  • Plea: In a criminal case, the defendant's statement pleading "guilty" or "not guilty" in answer to the charges, a declaration made in open court.
  • Plea agreement: An arrangement between the prosecutor, the defense attorney, and the defendant in which the defendant agrees to plead guilty in exchange for special considerations. Source:
  • Probation: A sentencing alternative to imprisonment in which the court releases convicted defendants under supervision as long as certain conditions are observed.
  • Restitution: The court-ordered payment of money by the defendant to the victim for damages caused by the criminal action.
  • Statute: A law passed by a legislature.

2.  The terms and conditions set forth for the defendant during the deferral period may include, without limitation, the:

(a) Payment of restitution;

(b) Payment of court costs;

(c) Payment of an assessment in lieu of any fine authorized by law for the offense;

(d) Payment of any other assessment or cost authorized by law;

(e) Completion of a term of community service;

(f) Placement on probation pursuant to NRS 176A.500 and the ordering of any conditions which can be imposed for probation pursuant to NRS 176A.400; or

(g) Completion of a specialty court program.

3.  The court:

(a) Upon the consent of the defendant:

(1) Shall defer judgment for any defendant who has entered a plea of guilty, guilty but mentally ill or nolo contendere to a violation of paragraph (a) of subsection 2 of NRS 453.336; or

(2) May defer judgment for any defendant who is placed in a specialty court program. The court may extend any deferral period for not more than 12 months to allow for the completion of a specialty court program.

(b) Shall not defer judgment for any defendant who has been convicted of a violent or sexual offense as defined in NRS 202.876, a crime against a child as defined in NRS 179D.0357 or a violation of NRS 200.508.

4.  Upon violation of a term or condition:

(a) Except as otherwise provided in paragraph (b):

(1) The court may enter a judgment of conviction and proceed as provided in the section pursuant to which the defendant was charged.

(2) Notwithstanding the provisions of paragraph (e) of subsection 2 of NRS 193.130, the court may order the defendant to the custody of the Department of Corrections if the offense is punishable by imprisonment in the state prison.

(b) If the defendant has been placed in the program for a first or second violation of paragraph (a) of subsection 2 of NRS 453.336, the court may allow the defendant to continue to participate in the program or terminate the participation of the defendant in the program. If the court terminates the participation of the defendant in the program, the court shall allow the defendant to withdraw his or her plea.

5.  Upon completion of the terms and conditions of the deferred judgment, and upon a finding by the court that the terms and conditions have been met, the court shall discharge the defendant and dismiss the proceedings. Discharge and dismissal pursuant to this section is without adjudication of guilt and is not a conviction for purposes of employment, civil rights or any statute or regulation or license or questionnaire or for any other public or private purpose, but is a conviction for the purpose of additional penalties imposed for second or subsequent convictions or the setting of bail. Discharge and dismissal restores the defendant, in the contemplation of the law, to the status occupied before the arrest, indictment or information.

6.  The court shall order sealed all documents, papers and exhibits in the defendant’s record, minute book entries and entries on dockets, and other documents relating to the case in the custody of such other agencies and officers as are named in the court’s order if the defendant fulfills the terms and conditions imposed by the court and the Division. The court shall order those records sealed without a hearing unless the Division or the prosecutor petitions the court, for good cause shown, not to seal the records and requests a hearing thereon.

7.  If the court orders sealed the record of a defendant discharged pursuant to this section, the court shall send a copy of the order to each agency or officer named in the order. Each such agency or officer shall notify the court in writing of its compliance with the order.

8.  As used in this section:

(a) ’Court’ means a district court of the State of Nevada.

(b) ’Specialty court program’ has the meaning ascribed to it in NRS 176A.065.

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