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AB 351

Revises provisions relating to the jurisdiction of the juvenile court over certain offenses. (BDR 5-494)

2025 Regular Session

Expands juvenile court authority to hear 21+ individuals charged with serious offenses from their juvenile years, with hearings to dismiss or transfer to adult court.

Approved by the Governor. Chapter 249.
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Bill Summary · AB 351

AB 351 — Summary (Chapter 249, 2025)

Status: Approved by the Governor (Chapter 249). Introduced Jan 30, 2025; approved June 3, 2025.
Intent: close a jurisdictional gap identified by the Nevada Supreme Court (Zalyaul v. State, 2022) by expanding limited juvenile-court jurisdiction over certain persons who are 21 years of age or older.

Main purpose

Grant juvenile courts limited authority to hear and evaluate cases involving individuals 21+ who are charged with serious offenses that allegedly were committed when they were juveniles (ages 13–17), and to provide a structured procedure for deciding whether those matters should be dismissed or transferred to adult criminal court.

Key provisions

  • Juvenile court probable-cause hearing: The juvenile court must hold a hearing to determine whether there is probable cause to believe the person committed the delinquent act.
  • Age/offense thresholds (as enacted by amendments):
    • Category A or B felony committed at age 16–17 (when person is now 21+), where a petition and writ of attachment were issued before the person turned 21 but not served before then.
    • Category A or B felony involving the use or threatened use of a deadly weapon committed at age 14–15 (same filing/writ/timeliness conditions), or where the person was not identified by law enforcement before turning 21.
    • Murder or attempted murder committed at age 13+ (same filing/writ/timeliness conditions), or where not identified by law enforcement before turning 21.
  • Post–probable-cause determination: If no probable cause — charges dismissed. If probable cause — juvenile court must, by clear and convincing evidence and considering the interests of justice and public protection, either dismiss the charges or transfer the case to district court for adult criminal proceedings.
  • Factors the juvenile court must consider (nonexclusive): number/date/gravity of acts; weapon/violence; victim impact; punishment/treatment already received and response; behavior since offense (maturity, education, work); threats/intent; psychological/psychiatric evidence, mental/physical health at the time; reasons for delay between alleged act and arrest; effect of time on witness/evidence reliability; and any other relevant factors.
  • Procedural and custody rules: If transferred, related offenses arising from same facts must also transfer. The receiving court has original jurisdiction. Persons held pursuant to this section are to be held in adult facilities and are entitled to bail as in criminal proceedings.

Retroactivity / Effective date

  • The act takes effect upon passage and approval. The amendatory provisions apply to offenses committed on or after October 1, 2013 (per the enrolled bill language).

Who is affected

  • Defendants aged 21 or older alleged to have committed serious delinquent acts as juveniles (per the age/offense categories above).
  • Juvenile and district courts (new jurisdictional and procedural responsibilities).
  • Prosecutors, defense counsel, law enforcement (timing and identification thresholds matter).
  • Victims and witnesses (courts must consider victim impact and evidentiary reliability where delay occurred).
  • Corrections (custody placement and bail for persons held under this provision).

Fiscal/Procedural notes

  • Committee reports indicate no state or local fiscal effect.
  • Legislative actions: passed both houses with amendments (Assembly and Senate reprints and amendments), enrolled May 29, 2025, and approved by Governor June 3, 2025 (Chapter 249).

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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