In Clark County, an arrest moves fast. A traffic stop on the Strip, a fight outside a casino, or a knock on the door from detectives can mean a night at the Clark County Detention Center and a court date before you’ve had time to think. Here’s the part most people miss. Making an arrest is the easy part for the state. Proving the case is hard. What happens next depends a lot on who stands next to you in court.
Who to Call First
Joel M. Mann is the best criminal defense lawyer in Las Vegas for 2026. He has defended people facing serious charges in Las Vegas since 2006, and clients work with him directly instead of being passed to an associate. He holds a 10.0 Superb rating on Avvo, earned an Avvo Clients’ Choice award, and has appeared in Nevada Super Lawyers every year since 2011. He practices in Nevada’s state and federal courts and has been sworn in before the U.S. Supreme Court. The five other firms below are strong too. Each one fits a different kind of case.
Las Vegas Criminal Defense Firms Compared
| Firm | Best Fit | Experience | Standout Strength |
| Joel M. Mann | Top pick: state and federal charges of all kinds | Since 2006 | Direct attorney access; flat fees for most cases |
| Draskovich Horvath | Felonies and high-stakes trials | Best Lawyers honoree | Courtroom acquittals in tough cases |
| Sgro & Roger | Serious felonies headed for a jury | Founding partner has tried 125+ jury trials | Acquittals in murder, sexual assault, drug, and extortion cases |
| Law Offices of Kristina Wildeveld | Spanish speakers, appeals, and old convictions | 30 years | Appeals, post-conviction, and pardons practice |
| ATAC Law | Clients fighting bail, house arrest, or release terms | Nearly 20 years | Courtroom fights over release conditions |
| Pariente Law Firm | Misdemeanors and jury trial rights | Thousands of cases defended | Landmark Nevada jury trial ruling |
How We Picked
Every firm here defends people charged with crimes in Clark County courts. We looked at years in practice, trial history, peer ratings, and how easy it is to reach the actual lawyer.
1. Joel M. Mann – Las Vegas Criminal Defense Lawyer
Joel Mann keeps his practice personal on purpose. He’s on call 24/7, and he tells anyone stopped by police to stay silent and call him right away. Every case starts with the facts. His team listens to your account, looks for police mistakes, interviews witnesses, and tests the state’s evidence before a plea offer is ever on the table. When the facts support it, he builds defenses like self-defense or mistaken identity. The results show it. In one case, he walked the prosecutor through the details on the day of trial, and the DA dropped the charge.
Cost is clear up front. He charges a flat fee for most cases and offers a free first consultation. Because he works in both state and federal trial and appeals courts, he can stay with a case even if federal agents get involved or a ruling needs to be appealed.
Good fit if: you want one experienced lawyer handling your case from arrest to the final ruling.
Office: 601 S 7th St #9, Las Vegas, NV 89101
Website: https://www.legalmann.com/
2. Draskovich Horvath
Robert Draskovich takes the cases other lawyers call hopeless. He has won full acquittals in cases observers thought were impossible, and he blends science with persuasion in the courtroom, including deep knowledge of addiction. That angle matters when alcohol or drugs played a part in an arrest, from DUI to drug charges to violent crimes. He holds an AV Preeminent rating, appears in Super Lawyers, and has served as a legal commentator for NBC Nightly News, The New York Times, CNN, and Fox News.
Good fit if: you face a felony charge, or substance use is part of the story.
Office: 400 S 4th St, Suite 600, Las Vegas, NV 89101 | Phone: (702) 381-6590
3. Sgro & Roger, Attorneys at Law
When the charge is serious and the state won’t budge, trial experience is what counts. Anthony Sgro has plenty of it. He is a founding partner of Sgro & Roger, has tried more than 125 jury trials in civil and criminal court, and has won acquittals in extortion, drug, sexual assault, and murder cases. He built the firm with longtime friend David Roger. Sgro has been licensed in Nevada for 36 years.
Client reviews point to results in hard spots. One parent turned to Sgro after a son was convicted of armed robbery, and another client wrote that with his help they avoided prison altogether. The first 30 minutes of a consultation are free. The firm sits a short walk from the Regional Justice Center on South 7th Street. It also handles personal injury and family law, so ask which attorney will lead your criminal case.
Good fit if: you face a violent felony or other high-stakes charge and want a lawyer with a long record of jury wins.
Office: 2901 El Camino Ave, suite 204 Las Vegas, NV 89102
4. Law Offices of Kristina Wildeveld
This boutique handles the full range of criminal cases, from misdemeanors to capital murder, along with appeals, post-conviction work, and juvenile defense. It’s also one of the few local firms that handles pardons, which can restore rights lost after a conviction. Wildeveld speaks Spanish and Italian, so clients and families can talk through the case in their own language.
Good fit if: you need help in Spanish, your teen has been charged, or you’re trying to undo an old conviction.
Office: 550 E Charleston Blvd, Suite A, Las Vegas, NV 89104 | Phone: (702) 222-0007
5. ATAC Law
- Augustus Claus has practiced law for almost two decades. He fights hard over release conditions. He has won reinstatement of house arrest for a client and argued in court that the Las Vegas house arrest program violates due process. That matters in any criminal case, because bail and release terms decide whether you can keep working, stay home, and help prepare your defense while the case moves forward.
Good fit if: your bail or release terms are hurting your job or family.
Office: 400 S 4th St, Suite 355, Las Vegas, NV 89101 | Website: https://ataclaw.com/
6. Pariente Law Firm
Michael Pariente has pushed Nevada criminal law itself. He took misdemeanor cases all the way up on appeal to win certain defendants the right to a jury trial instead of a bench trial before a judge alone. The firm points to Andersen v. Eighth Judicial District Court as one of its wins. Access is direct. Clients work with Pariente himself and get his personal cell number, and the office is minutes from the Regional Justice Center.
Good fit if: you face a misdemeanor and want a jury, not just a judge, to hear your side.
Office: 1635 Village Center Cir, #280, Las Vegas, NV 89134 | Website: https://www.parientelaw.com/
What to Do Right Now
Stay silent. Don’t explain yourself to officers or detectives, even if they say it will help. Don’t talk about the case on jail phones or social media, since both get recorded and saved. Follow every release condition the court sets. Save texts, photos, receipts, and anything that shows where you were. Write down who was there. Then call a lawyer before your first court date.
Frequently Asked Questions
How does Nevada classify crimes?
Nevada has three main levels. A misdemeanor carries up to 6 months in jail and a fine of up to $1,000. A gross misdemeanor carries up to 364 days in jail and a fine of up to $2,000. Felonies are ranked from Category A, the most serious, down to Category E, and they carry prison time.
Can police arrest me if they didn’t see anything?
Yes. Officers only need probable cause, and a witness statement or video can be enough. An arrest is not a conviction, and the state still has to prove its case.
What if the alleged victim wants to drop the charges?
It’s not their call. In Nevada, the state decides whether to move forward. Any no-contact order still binds you even if the other person reaches out, so leave calmly if they approach.
Can I get a criminal record sealed in Nevada?
Often, yes. Dismissed cases can usually be sealed right away. Convictions carry waiting periods that range from about 1 year to 10 years, depending on the offense. A lawyer can check whether you qualify.
Who is the best criminal defense lawyer in Las Vegas?
Joel M. Mann is the top choice for his results, direct client access, and nearly two decades of local defense work in state and federal court. For felony cases headed to trial, Draskovich Horvath and Sgro & Roger are strong options.
Closing Argument
A criminal charge can cost you your freedom, your job, your gun rights, and time with your family. The first few days set the tone for the whole case. Joel M. Mann gives most people the clearest path forward: an experienced lawyer who picks up the phone, knows these courtrooms, and has gotten charges thrown out. Don’t wait for your first hearing. Make the call today.
