1. Except as otherwise provided in subsection 7, a person who is found in any public place under the influence of alcohol, in such a condition that the person is unable to exercise care for his or her health or safety or the health or safety of other persons, must be placed under civil protective custody by a peace officer.
2. A peace officer may use upon such a person the kind and degree of force which would be lawful if the peace officer were effecting an arrest for a misdemeanor with a warrant.
3. If a licensed facility for the treatment of persons with an alcohol use disorder that has been certified by the Division for civil protective custody exists in the community where the person is found, the person must be delivered to the facility for observation and care. If no such facility exists in the community, the person so found may be placed in a county or city jail or detention facility for shelter or supervision for his or her health and safety until he or she is no longer under the influence of alcohol. The person may not be required against his or her will to remain in a licensed facility, jail or detention facility longer than 48 hours.
4. An intoxicated person taken into custody by a peace officer for a public offense must immediately be taken to a secure detoxification unit or other appropriate medical facility if the condition of the person appears to require emergency medical treatment. Upon release from the detoxification unit or medical facility, the person must immediately be remanded to the custody of the apprehending peace officer and the criminal proceedings proceed as prescribed by law.
5. The placement of a person found under the influence of alcohol in civil protective custody must be:
(a) Recorded at the facility, jail or detention facility to which the person is delivered; and
(b) Communicated at the earliest practical time to the person’s family or next of kin if they can be located.
6. Every peace officer and other public employee or agency acting pursuant to this section is performing a discretionary function or duty.
7. The provisions of this section do not apply to a person who is apprehended or arrested for:
(a) A civil or administrative violation for which intoxication is an element of the violation pursuant to the provisions of a specific statute or regulation;
(b) A criminal offense for which intoxication is an element of the offense pursuant to the provisions of a specific statute or regulation;
(c) A homicide resulting from driving, operating or being in actual physical control of a vehicle or a vessel under power or sail while under the influence of intoxicating liquor or a controlled substance or resulting from any other conduct prohibited by NRS 484C.110, 484C.130, 484C.430, subsection 2 of NRS 488.400, NRS 488.410, 488.420 or 488.425; and
(d) Any offense or violation which is similar to an offense or violation described in paragraph (a), (b) or (c) and which is set forth in an ordinance or resolution of a county, city or town.
(Added to NRS by 1973, 1060; A 1975, 1145; 1989, 1181; 1997, 333; 1999, 3407; 2001, 425; 2005, 170; 2015, 748)
Structure Nevada Revised Statutes
Chapter 458 - Alcohol and Other Substance Use Disorders
NRS 458.031 - Administration of chapter.
NRS 458.035 - Power of Division to contract.
NRS 458.055 - Confidential information.
NRS 458.080 - Financial assistance for treatment provider.
NRS 458.097 - Use and allocation of certain money for increase of services.
NRS 458.098 - Tax on Liquor Program Account.
NRS 458.100 - State Grant and Gift Account for Alcohol or Other Substance Use Disorders.
NRS 458.103 - Division authorized to accept public money.
NRS 458.104 - Temporary advance from State General Fund.
NRS 458.105 - Fees for sale of miscellaneous printed material.
NRS 458.110 - Additional powers of Division.
NRS 458.115 - Legislative appropriations; claims.
NRS 458.125 - Requests for proposals; advancement of initial costs; staffing of Division.
NRS 458.131 - Biennial report of Division.
NRS 458.175 - Powers and duties of peace officers.
NRS 458.250 - Legislative declaration of purpose.
NRS 458.260 - Intoxication not public offense; exceptions.
NRS 458.270 - Procedure for placing person in civil protective custody.
NRS 458.280 - Records of treatment facility and treatment provider confidential; exceptions.
NRS 458.290 - "Person with a substance use disorder" defined.
NRS 458.300 - Eligibility for assignment to program of treatment.
NRS 458.310 - Hearing to determine whether defendant should receive treatment.
NRS 458.340 - Civil commitment not criminal conviction.
NRS 458.450 - "Working Group" defined.