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WHAT IS COERCION IN NEVADA?
Coercion in Nevada is compelling a person to do or abstain from doing something they have a legal right to do or not do, through the use of force, violence, or threats. It is the crime of forcing someone's will through intimidation.
WHAT THE PROSECUTION MUST PROVE
To convict you of Coercion in Nevada, the prosecution must prove each of the following elements beyond a reasonable doubt:
The defendant used force, violence, or threats against the victim
The purpose was to compel the victim to do something they had a legal right not to do, or to refrain from doing something they had a legal right to do
If the prosecution cannot prove any single element beyond a reasonable doubt, you cannot be convicted.
PENALTIES FOR COERCION IN NEVADA
Coercion (No Physical Force)
Gross misdemeanor. Up to 364 days in jail and/or up to $2,000 fine.
Coercion with Physical Force
Category B felony. 1 to 5 years in prison.
THOMAS'S DEFENSE TIPS
Insights from Thomas Boley — Las Vegas criminal defense attorney with 18+ years defending coercion charges
Coercion charges often arise in employment, business disputes, and domestic situations. The key element is that the defendant used force or threats to override the victim's free will.
The threat must be of unlawful harm — threatening to report someone to the police for a crime they actually committed is generally not coercion.
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 COERCION
Every case is unique, but these are the defenses most commonly raised in coercion cases in Nevada:
The threat was of lawful action (e.g., reporting a crime)
No actual threat was made
The victim was not actually compelled
False accusation