Crime Classifications

In Nevada, there are three crime classifications – misdemeanors, gross misdemeanors, and felonies.

• Misdemeanors are punishable by up to six (6) months in the county jail, or by a fine of up to $1,000, or by both fine and imprisonment. The Fallon Municipal Court handles misdemeanors committed within the City of Fallon. The New River Township Justice Court handles all other misdemeanors committed within the County of Churchill.
• Gross misdemeanors are punishable by up to 364 days in the county jail, or by a fine of up to $2,000, or by both fine and imprisonment. The New River Township Justice Court presides over gross misdemeanor preliminary hearings and, if the case is bound over by the Justice Court, the case is handled by the Tenth Judicial District Court.
• Felonies are divided into five categories – A, B, C, D and E. The New River Township Justice Court presides over felony preliminary hearings and, if the case is bound over by the Justice Court, the case is handled by the Tenth Judicial District Court.
  • Category A Felonies are felonies for which a sentence of death or imprisonment in the state prison for life without the possibility of parole may be imposed.
  • Category B Felonies are felonies for which the minimum term of imprisonment in the state prison that may be imposed is not less than one year and the maximum term of imprisonment that may be imposed is not more than 20 years.
  • Category C Felonies are felonies for which a court must sentence a convicted person to imprisonment in the state prison for a minimum term of not less than one year and a maximum term of not more than five years. In addition, the court may impose a fine of not more than $10,000, unless a greater fine is authorized or required by statute.
  • Category D Felonies are felonies for which a court must sentence a convicted person to imprisonment in the state prison for a minimum term of not less than one year and a maximum term of not more than four years. In addition, the court may impose a fine of not more than $5,000, unless a greater fine is authorized or required by statute.
  • Category E Felonies are felonies for which a court must sentence a convicted person to imprisonment in the state prison for a minimum term of not less than one year and a maximum term of not more than four years. In most cases, the court must suspend the sentence and grant probation to the convicted person. In addition, the court may impose a fine of not more than $5,000, unless a greater fine is authorized or required by statute.