Las Vegas, sometimes called "The Entertainment Capital of the World," is one of the most popular tourist destinations in the world, with 40 million visitors vacationing here every year. Las Vegas is also one of the top cities in the world for conventions and business meetings, with 5 million convention attendees visiting each year to attend one of the 20 thousand annual conventions. Whether they come for business, pleasure, or both, most Las Vegas guests enjoy their visit and go home. However, some Vegas tourists are not as lucky, and end their Vegas trip with criminal charges hanging over their heads.
As a criminal defense lawyer practicing in Las Vegas, many of my clients are out of town visitors who come from across the United States and foreign nations all over the world. I have defended countless Las Vegas vacationers, convention attendees, wedding guests, and temporary workers who reside in other states and abroad, from Hawaii to California to Florida to New York to Canada and Europe. As such, I understand the concerns and the needs of clients who are forced to defend criminal accusations from hundreds or thousands of miles away.
If you have received a citation for a criminal offense in Las Vegas or you were arrested for a felony or misdemeanor crime while visiting Las Vegas or Clark County, Nevada, please read this article, which provides advice for criminal defendants who live in other states and countries and explains how hiring a criminal defense attorney who lives and practices in Las Vegas can benefit you.
Why do some Las Vegas tourists, many times without any prior record, end up getting arrested or cited for felony or misdemeanor crimes? Does Las Vegas marketing encourage behavior that leads to criminal charges?
Las Vegas is marketed to potential visitors as a grand adult amusement park. To Las Vegas tourists throughout the United States and abroad, this can cause some confusion about what sorts of adult activities are legal, illegal, or illegal but condoned. Of course, illegal activity is not condoned by local police or prosecutors, but advertisements produced by the Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority (LVCA) seem to suggest a lax attitude toward otherwise socially unacceptable behavior.
The familiar slogan of the LVCA's television ads, "What happens in Vegas Stays in Vegas," has been broadcast to potential Las Vegas tourists for over 10 years. [Full customer-provided description of ad examples continues.]
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When you're facing criminal charges, you need more than just a lawyer. You need someone who understands the system, knows how to fight, and won’t back down. I’ve spent years defending clients in Las Vegas courts, building a reputation for aggressive advocacy and honest, effective representation. If you’re ready to put this behind you, I’m here to help you move forward.
— Michael Pandullo
