Press Release: Nevada Assembly Passes Legislation to Decriminalize Minor Traffic Violations
Bill Would End Widespread Practice of Arresting & Jailing People Who Can’t Afford Minor Traffic Ticket
Yesterday, the Nevada Assembly approved legislation that would decriminalize minor traffic violations making them civil infractions and ending the widespread practice of issuing warrants when an individual can’t afford to pay the fines and fees imposed. Nevada is one of only 13 U.S. states that prosecutes minor traffic violations as criminal offenses, rather than as civil infractions.
AB 116 was introduced by Assemblywoman Rochelle Nguyen with seven primary sponsors including the Senate Majority Leader Nicole Cannizzaro and 23 co-sponsors, including Republican Lisa Krasner, Nevada’s Assistant Minority Whip. The bill now heads to the Senate, where it will be heard by the Senate Judiciary Committee on Monday.