Traffic Tickets at Las Vegas Justice Court
Las Vegas Justice Court handles the majority of traffic violations in the Las Vegas Valley. If your citation directs you there, here's exactly how the process works — and how Cap & Kudler handles it for you. Flat fee of $100–$200. Free case review.
What Is Las Vegas Justice Court?
Las Vegas Justice Court is a court of limited jurisdiction responsible for criminal, civil, and traffic matters within the Las Vegas Township. It currently has sixteen elected Justices of the Peace serving 6-year terms, along with several Hearing Masters who specifically handle civil traffic matters.
The court's Traffic Office handles citation violations issued by law enforcement in the Las Vegas Township — outside the City of Las Vegas, North Las Vegas, and the City of Henderson (which have their own courts). The majority of traffic tickets issued in the Las Vegas Valley fall within Las Vegas Justice Court's jurisdiction.
Civil vs. Criminal Traffic Matters
Civil traffic matters include the majority of moving violations: speeding, disobeying traffic signals, unsafe lane changes. These are heard by Hearing Masters.
Criminal traffic matters include DUIs, higher-speed speeding tickets, and regulatory violations such as failing to have insurance or registration. Cap & Kudler does not handle DUI cases.
The 90-Day Deadline
Nevada law requires that you respond to your citation — either by negotiating or filing to contest — within 90 days of the date of the violation. Miss that window and the court automatically finds you liable and assesses the fine. There is no exception and no extension.
Contact us as soon as you receive the ticket. The sooner we get started, the more options remain available.
Fines and Points in Nevada
Nevada fines are based on the point value of the violation. Points remain active on your driving record for 12 months — accumulate 12 within 12 months and your license is suspended. The fine schedule for Las Vegas Justice Court is as follows:
| Violation Category | Points | Court Fine |
|---|---|---|
| 1-point violation | 1 point | $150 |
| 2-point violation | 2 points | $195 |
| 3-point violation | 3 points | $305 |
| 4-point violation | 4 points | $294 or $415 |
Point values for specific violations (including exact speeding thresholds) are listed at the Nevada DMV website.
Your Two Options
Paying the ticket is a third option — but it's a guilty plea. Points are assigned and reported to the DMV and your insurance company. Here are the two options that protect your record.
Option 1: Negotiate to a Non-Moving Violation
Las Vegas Justice Court will negotiate your moving violation down to a parking ticket — provided you have not had a citation negotiated or been found liable for a citation within the last 12 months. If you qualify, the moving violation disappears from your record: no points, no DMV report, no insurance impact.
When negotiating, the court gives you two sub-options:
Pay the court fine plus complete a 5-hour online traffic school (costs $20 or less).
Pay the court fine plus an additional $100 Demerit Reduction Fee.
Example: A speeding ticket for 11–20 mph over the limit is a 2-point violation with a $195 fine. Under Option A, you pay $195 and spend 5 hours on traffic school. Under Option B, you pay $295 and skip the school. Either way, the ticket reduces to a parking infraction.
Option 2: Contest the Ticket at a Hearing
If you don't qualify for negotiation — or you believe the ticket was unjust and want to fight it — you can file to contest. Las Vegas Justice Court requires a $150 upfront deposit to secure a hearing date, and this must be filed before the 90-day deadline.
Hearings are currently being scheduled several months out. As of late July 2026, hearing dates are being set for mid-December 2026.
Hearings are held at 10:00 AM or 1:30 PM. Cases where defendants have retained attorneys are typically called at the beginning of the calendar. If the case is dismissed, the $150 deposit is returned. If the judge finds you liable, the court keeps the $150 and you pay any remaining fine above that amount.
What Happens at the Hearing
Contested civil traffic hearings at Las Vegas Justice Court are conducted before a Hearing Master. A significant change took effect in 2023 when most traffic violations were converted from criminal misdemeanors to civil infractions: officers are no longer required to appear in person. Their citation and any written statement they choose to submit are admitted as evidence without them being present.
In our experience, citing officers appear in fewer than 10% of contested civil traffic cases. This makes understanding exactly what the citation says — and what the officer's written statement contains, if any — critical to building a defense.
The defendant may testify, present witnesses, and submit documents or video evidence. It is also possible to subpoena the officer to appear in person — however, if the judge finds the defendant liable, the defendant would be responsible for the officer's time and expenses to appear.
After evidence is presented, the Hearing Master renders a decision. If dismissed, the $150 bond is returned and no record is reported to the DMV or insurance companies. If found liable, the bond is kept and any remaining fine is due immediately.
How Cap & Kudler Handles It
Send us a copy of your citation. We review it and tell you whether negotiation or contesting makes more sense for your specific situation.
We file the necessary paperwork with the court and take over all communication. You generally don't need to appear.
For negotiated cases, we manage the process through to the parking ticket reduction. For contested cases, we handle the filing, prepare the defense based on the citation and officer's statement, and appear at the hearing.
For contested cases, we call you two days before the hearing in case your presence becomes necessary. We notify you as soon as the case is resolved.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I have to appear at Las Vegas Justice Court in person?
Not when we represent you. We appear on your behalf. You generally won't need to take time off work or show up to court.
What is the 90-day deadline?
Nevada law requires you to respond to your citation — either by negotiating or filing to contest — within 90 days of the violation date. If you miss that window, the court finds you liable automatically and assesses the fine. Contact us as soon as you receive the ticket.
Do I qualify for negotiation?
Las Vegas Justice Court will negotiate a citation to a parking ticket if you have not had a ticket negotiated or been found liable for a ticket within the last 12 months. If you received a ticket in the past year, you may not qualify — contesting is then the available path.
What is the $150 bond for contesting a ticket?
To secure a hearing date at Las Vegas Justice Court, the court requires a $150 upfront deposit. If the case is dismissed, the $150 is returned to you. If the judge finds you liable, the court keeps the $150 and you pay any remaining fine on top of it.
Will the officer show up at my hearing?
Probably not. A 2023 change in Nevada law converted most traffic violations from criminal misdemeanors to civil infractions. Officers are no longer required to appear — their citation and any written statement are admitted as evidence without them being present. In our experience, officers appear in fewer than 10% of contested cases.
What happens if I lose at the hearing?
The court retains the $150 bond and you pay any remaining fine above that amount. Points are added to your driving record and reported to the DMV.
What if I got the ticket while visiting Las Vegas?
You can still be represented. Out-of-state clients are common. Nevada points can transfer to your home state's DMV record. You won't need to return to Las Vegas.
Got a Ticket at Las Vegas Justice Court?
Send us the citation and your violation date. We'll review it and explain your options — free of charge. Flat fee of $100 or $200 if you decide to proceed.
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