State identity theft laws cover a wide range of behaviors. At their heart, these crimes all involve someone using personal information without consent for their own purposes or gain. It is important that if you were convicted of identity theft, you find a experienced lawyer to represent your case.

Nevada state law and identity theft have very specific consequences, and there are also federal identity theft laws that have their own penalties. Being convicted of an identity theft crime can lead to one or more of the following penalties:

• Incarceration. A conviction for an identity theft crime can result in a significant incarceration sentence. In general, a conviction for misdemeanor offense can lead to up to a year in jail, while felony sentences can result in several years or more in prison.

• Fines. It’s common for courts to order someone convicted of identity theft pay a fine. Misdemeanor fines can sometimes reach in excess of $1,000, while felony fines can easily exceed $5,000.

• Restitution. If the identity theft results in a victim losing money or suffering financial harm, courts will also typically order restitution. Restitution is designed to compensate the victim for his or her loss, while fines are designed to penalize the perpetrator. Restitution awards vary, depending on the circumstances of each case.

• Probation. For first-time offenders of identity theft crimes that do not result in significant harm, it’s possible a court might impose a probation sentence in addition to, or separate from, other penalties. Probation usually lasts at least a year, but sentences of three or more years are also common. People on probation have to comply with specific court imposed restrictions, such as reporting to a probation officer, paying all restitution and fines, and not committing other crimes.