As of January 1, 2026, Nevada’s Safe Streets and Neighborhoods Act (SB 457) or “Safe Streets Act” introduced significant changes to how certain crimes are defined and prosecuted. While the Act covers many areas of criminal law, some of the most impactful updates involve domestic violence and stalking. These changes expand who is protected, what conduct qualifies as one of these crimes, and how prosecutors may pursue charges.
If you are under investigation or have already been accused of domestic violence or stalking, you should know about these updates. Conduct that may not have triggered serious criminal charges in the past can now lead to enhanced charges, stricter conditions, and long-term consequences if you are convicted.
Expanded Definitions of Stalking Under Nevada Law
The Safe Streets Act made a few important updates to Nevada’s laws regarding stalking.
Broader Scope of Protected Relationships
Under the updated statutes, stalking now explicitly includes conduct directed at someone with whom the alleged victim has or previously had a dating relationship, even if the parties never lived together. Earlier versions of the law focused more centrally on family or household members.
This update reflects modern relationship dynamics and significantly expands who may qualify as a protected person under stalking laws. For defendants, this means disputes involving dating relationships, past or present, may now be treated far more seriously than before.
Electronic and Social Media Conduct
The law also makes explicit what prosecutors have increasingly argued for years: stalking does not require face-to-face contact. Text messages, direct messages, emails, social media posts, location tracking, and other electronic communications can now form the basis of a stalking charge.
Repeated digital contact that a prosecutor claims caused fear, intimidation, or emotional distress may be used as evidence, even if there was no physical interaction at all.
Penalties Still Based on Severity
Nevada law continues to distinguish between stalking and aggravated stalking, such as cases involving credible threats of serious bodily harm. However, because more conduct now falls within the definition of stalking, prosecutors have a broader range of behaviors they can use to justify charges.
Expanded Domestic Violence Definitions
The Safe Streets Act also broadens how domestic violence is defined and enforced.
More Offenses Can Now Qualify as Domestic Violence
Certain crimes, such as kidnapping or attempted kidnapping, are now explicitly included as domestic violence offenses when committed against a qualifying victim, including a household member or dating partner.
This update may allow prosecutors to pursue a much greater number of charges, and once criminal conduct is labeled “domestic violence,” it can trigger enhanced penalties, mandatory arrest policies, and stricter court conditions. What might once have been charged as a standalone offense may now carry domestic violence consequences on top of the base charge.
Enhanced Enforcement and Safety Measures
The Act expands tools available to law enforcement and prosecutors, including stricter enforcement of firearm surrender requirements and broader use of no-contact or protective orders in high-risk cases. These measures can directly affect bail decisions, pretrial release, and daily life while a case is pending.
Record Sealing and Long-Term Consequences
Some provisions of the broader legislation also affect record sealing, particularly for offenses involving children or elderly individuals. In domestic violence cases involving vulnerable individuals, automatic sealing may be limited or delayed, increasing the long-term impact of an arrest or conviction.
Defense Strategy Implications of the Legal Updates
From a defense perspective, the legal updates can bring significant changes, such as:
- Prosecutions may have an easier time bringing charges, especially when digital evidence is involved.
- Everyday conduct, such as persistent texting or online communication, may now be framed as stalking.
- Dating relationships now create additional opportunities for stalking charges.
- Sentencing enhancements may apply where they did not before.
Why These Changes Matter If You’ve Been Accused
The Safe Streets Act can affect how current investigations and new arrests alike are handled. Expanded definitions give prosecutors more discretion, which makes it easier for cases to escalate quickly. That is why people accused of domestic violence or stalking in Las Vegas cannot afford to assume the law is the same as it was even a year ago, and they should take steps now to defend themselves from criminal charges.
Call a Las Vegas Defense Attorney Who Knows the New Landscape
Attorney Ross C. Goodman is a Las Vegas local who understands how criminal laws evolve and how prosecutors adapt their strategies when statutes change. He knows the lay of the legal land, the courts, and the tactics used when domestic violence or stalking allegations are pursued aggressively.
If you are facing accusations under Nevada’s newly expanded laws, time is already working against you. Contact Attorney Goodman today to protect your rights and start preparing your defense with one of the state’s two Certified Specialists in Criminal Trial Advocacy by the State Bar of Nevada.
Call (702) 825-7854 or contact Goodman Law Group online if you need to defend yourself against domestic violence or stalking charges. Initial consultations are FREE.