Criminal Dept. Information

Criminal Contact:

- Ph: 775.353.7600 ext. 1
- Fax: 775.352.3004
- Email

Appearing in Court

Sparks Justice Court holds criminal arraignments for out of custody defendants, Monday thru Thursday at 8:30 a.m. Please check in at 8:15 a.m. with a clerk to obtain any documentation you may need for your arraignment. Once checked in, you will be directed to the correct courtroom by either a clerk or a bailiff.

If cash bail or a bail bond was posted on your behalf, your court date will be located on the receipt provided by the Washoe County Jail. If cash bail was posted on your behalf, and you were arrested outside of Washoe County, a court date should have been provided for you on your release paperwork. If you are unsure of your arraignment date, please contact the court.

If you are appearing at the court for a different type of hearing other than an arraignment, please check in with a bailiff at the bailiff counter.

Attorney Information

Public Defender

During the booking process, you will be interviewed to see if you qualify for a Public Defender from the Washoe County Public Defender's Office. At the time of your arraignment, the judge will inform you if a Public Defender has been either granted or denied. To speak to the Public Defender assigned to your case, contact the Washoe County Public Defender's Office at 775.337.4800.

Private Counsel

If you are denied a Public Defender, or wish to obtain an attorney on your own, your attorney will need to file an Authorization to Represent with the court.

Misdemeanor Authorization to Represent

Waiver of Initial Appearance on Felony or Gross Misdemeanor Charges

Bail or Bond

If cash bail was posted, either by you or on your behalf, you or the bail poster will need to retain the receipt provided by the jail. If you are due a refund, the original bail receipt will need to be submitted to the court, along with a valid form of identification, for release of funds.

Requesting a Continuance

To request a continuance, you will need to appear in person during business hours to speak with a clerk. Continuances will not be granted over the phone. You may send an email to SJCCriminal@washoecounty.gov

Resolving a Warrant

Warrant of Arrest

If a Warrant of Arrest has been issued on your behalf, you will need to self-surrender at the Washoe County Jail which is located at 911 Parr Blvd in Reno.

Failure to Appear or Failure to Comply Warrant

To resolve a warrant for your case, you may choose from the three following options:

- 1. Turn yourself in to the Washoe County Jail at 911 Parr Blvd. (Hearing will be set within 48 hours);
  2. Go to the Court Monday through Thursday from 7:30 a.m. to 5 p.m.; closed for lunch from noon to 1:00 p.m. or Friday from 7:30 a.m. to noon. Check in with a clerk and ask to appear before a judge;
  3. Post the bail in person at the Court and ask to set a court date.

Alcoholics Anonymous (AA)

If attending AA meetings is part of your sentence, visit the Northern Nevada Intergroup of Alcoholics Anonymous website at www.nnig.org for meeting times and places along with other beneficial information.

Submit Payment on Fines and Fees:

There are multiple ways to pay your court fine and fees. Criminal cases that have been adjudicated and not at warrant may be paid for in the following methods:

At the Court

Payments may be made in the form of cash, personal check, cashier's check, money order or by credit card
A credit card payment will have a 2.89% service fee assessed
Personal checks will not be accepted on cases with an active warrant
Please have the case number and the name of the defendant available for accurate processing of payment

Online

Payments are accepted 24 hours a day when made online at www.GovPayNow.com
Payments made online will have a credit/debit card processing fee assessed
Cases with an active warrant will not be accepted by the court and will be rejected upon review
Please have the case number and the name of the defendant available for accurate processing of payment online

By Phone

Phone payments can be made 24 hours a day seven days a week by calling GovPayNet at (888) 604-7888.
Please contact the appropriate department first if you do not have your case number at (775) 353-7600 during business hours M-Th 7:30 am - 5:00 pm (closed for lunch noon to 1:00 pm); Fri. 7:30 am to noon.
Payments by phone will have a credit/debit card processing fee assessed
Payments by phone will not be allowed for active warrant cases
The court will review all payments before they are fully accepted and processed
Confirm you are paying the correct court for your case - Sparks Justice Court

By Mail

Payment made by mail will need to be in the form of personal check, cashier's check or money order
Personal checks will not be accepted on cases with an active warrant
If you wish to have a receipt mailed to you, please include a self addressed, stamped envelope with payment
Please include the case number and/or name of the defendant with the payment

Drop Box

The drop box is located at the northeast corner of the building for payments made after payment hours
The court does not recommend leaving cash in the drop box
Please include the case number and/or name of the defendant with the payment
If you wish to have a receipt mailed to you, please include a self addressed, stamped envelope with payment