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WHAT IS LEWDNESS WITH A CHILD IN NEVADA?
Lewdness with a child under 16 in Nevada involves any lewd or lascivious act upon or with the body of a child with the intent to arouse or gratify sexual desire. This is one of Nevada's most serious sex offenses and carries mandatory lifetime sex offender registration.
WHAT THE PROSECUTION MUST PROVE
To convict you of Lewdness with a Child in Nevada, the prosecution must prove each of the following elements beyond a reasonable doubt:
The defendant committed a lewd or lascivious act
The act was upon or with the body of a child under 16
The defendant acted with intent to arouse or gratify sexual desire
The act was not for a legitimate medical or other lawful purpose
If the prosecution cannot prove any single element beyond a reasonable doubt, you cannot be convicted.
PENALTIES FOR LEWDNESS WITH A CHILD IN NEVADA
Child under 14
Category A Felony — life with possibility of parole after 10 years; lifetime sex offender registration
Child 14–15
Category A Felony — life with possibility of parole after 5 years; lifetime sex offender registration
Subsequent offense
Life without possibility of parole
THOMAS'S DEFENSE TIPS
Insights from Thomas Boley — Las Vegas criminal defense attorney with 18+ years defending lewdness with a child charges
These are the most serious charges I defend. The consequences — potential life sentence and lifetime sex offender registration — require the most thorough and aggressive defense possible.
False allegations in custody disputes and family conflicts are a real phenomenon. I have successfully defended clients where the accusations arose from a contentious divorce or custody battle.
Forensic interviews of child witnesses must follow strict protocols. I work with child interview experts to identify leading questions, suggestive techniques, and other problems with how the child's account was obtained.
Digital evidence — phones, computers, messaging apps — is central to these cases. I retain digital forensics experts to challenge how evidence was extracted and interpreted.
The sex offender registration consequences are lifelong and devastating. Every aspect of the defense must be approached with that reality in mind.
The above represents general observations from years of criminal defense practice in Nevada. Every case is different — contact Thomas for advice specific to your situation.
COMMON DEFENSES TO LEWDNESS WITH A CHILD
Every case is unique, but these are the defenses most commonly raised in lewdness with a child cases in Nevada:
False allegations motivated by custody dispute or family conflict
Misidentification
Improper forensic interview techniques
Lack of sexual intent — innocent physical contact
Constitutional challenges to evidence collection