Ending Without A Conviction
NRS 176.211 — a judgment deferred, and a case dismissed when its terms are met
After a plea of guilty, guilty but mentally ill or no contest, and before a judgment of guilt, a court may, with the defendant's consent, defer judgment to a set future date on terms such as restitution, court costs, community service, probation or a specialty court program.
Terms met: dismissed and sealed. When the court finds the terms have been met, it discharges the defendant and dismisses the case without an adjudication of guilt. That is not a conviction for employment, civil rights, a license or a questionnaire, and it restores the person to the status held before the arrest. The records are sealed without a hearing, unless the Division of Parole and Probation or the prosecutor shows good cause for one.
A deferral is not available to a defendant convicted of a violent or sexual offense, a crime against a child, or child abuse or neglect, among others the section lists. With consent, it is required for a defendant who pleads to one of the drug possession offenses the section names.
A dismissed deferral still counts as a conviction for a later penalty that increases with prior convictions, and for setting bail. A court may extend a deferral by not more than 12 months to finish a specialty court program.
Sources for this section (1)
- NRS 176.211 — Eligibility
Legal information, not legal advice. Verified as of October 2026. Applying it to a particular situation is the work of a licensed Nevada attorney.