Finding Court Records in Nevada

Nevada Courts Overview

It helps to understand how the Nevada state court system works when you’re trying to find court records. The Nevada trial court system consists of District Courts, Justice Courts, and Municipal Courts.

District Courts have general jurisdiction over all civil and criminal cases but generally only handle cases that are beyond the jurisdiction of other courts. Justice Courts and Municipal courts have limited jurisdiction over certain types of cases.

If you prefer, you can start your search by going to Nevada Courts by County.

Nevada District Courts

District Courts have general jurisdiction over all civil and criminal cases, but usually only handle cases that are beyond the jurisdiction of other courts.

Criminal cases heard by District Courts include felonies, gross misdemeanors and lesser-included offenses.

Civil cases heard by District Courts include general civil claims with more than $10,000 in dispute, family law cases, juvenile cases and cases related to abuse and neglect.

Each District Court has a Family Court division with jurisdiction over certain types of cases, including divorce, parentage, abuse prevention, juvenile matters and involuntary hospitalization.

Family Court divisions share jurisdiction with Justice Courts over orders of protection against domestic violence. Family Court divisions share jurisdiction with District Courts over claims for damages that arise out of domestic violence.

Nevada Justice Courts

Justice Courts have limited jurisdiction over certain types of civil and criminal cases.

Criminal cases heard by Justice Courts include misdemeanors.

Civil cases heard by Justice Courts include most general civil claims for less than $10,000, exclusive of interest. Justice Courts also hear other types of civil claims within financial limits, including landlord-tenant, some liens, and collection actions for fines, penalties, forfeitures or taxes. Justice Courts also have a simplified Small Claims procedure for certain types of civil claims within financial limits.

Justice Courts also handle some cases involving orders of protection against domestic violence, orders of protection against workplace harassment and orders of protection against stalking.

Justice Courts cannot hear cases with disputes over boundaries or title to real property, mining claims or disputes over the validity of a tax or assessment or fine.

Nevada Municipal Courts

Municipal Courts have limited jurisdiction over certain types of civil and criminal cases.

Criminal cases heard by Municipal Courts include misdemeanor violations of city ordinances and other violations of municipal ordinances.

Civil cases heard by Municipal Courts include violations of municipal ordinances, actions to stop nuisances, some tax collection and other types of claims for less than $2500 that are brought by the city or its agents.

Municipal Courts cannot hear claims related to the validity of a tax, assessment or levy, or the title to real property. Claims beyond the jurisdiction of a Municipal Court will be transferred to a court with jurisdiction over the case.

Find Nevada Courts by County

• Churchill
• City of Carson City
• Clark
• Douglas
• Elko
• Esmeralda
• Eureka
• Humboldt
• Lander
• Lincoln
• Lyon
• Mineral
• Nye
• Pershing
• Storey
• Washoe
• White Pine

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