Compassionate Help from a Las Vegas Sexual Assault Lawyer

Being the victim of sexual assault is a deeply traumatic and overwhelming experience. You may feel shocked, confused, scared, or unsure of what to do next. These feelings are completely valid — and you don’t have to go through this alone.

At The Paul Powell Law Firm, our experienced sexual assault attorneys in Las Vegas are here to help you through every step of the legal process. We are a trusted sexual assault law firm dedicated to helping survivors seek justice, healing, and fair compensation.

What Is Sexual Assault Under Las Vegas Law?

Sexual assault laws can vary from state to state. In Nevada, sexual assault is defined as any non-consensual sexual penetration, regardless of the relationship between the victim and the perpetrator. According to Las Vegas law, a person is considered unable to give legal consent if they are:

Under the influence of drugs or alcohol
Mentally incapacitated or developmentally disabled
Unconscious or asleep
Under the age of consent (which is 16 in Nevada)

Importantly, consent must be freely and clearly given — silence or lack of resistance does not equal consent. Under Nevada Revised Statutes (NRS 200.366), sexual assault is a felony offense, and penalties can include years in prison, mandatory registration as a sex offender, and other severe consequences.

If you’ve experienced sexual assault in Las Vegas, speaking with a Las Vegas sexual assault lawyer or a trusted sexual assault attorney can help you understand your rights and what options are available to you under Nevada law.

What Is the Proper Course of Action for Sexual Assault Cases?

If you’re the victim of a sexual assault, there are some things you should do right away, and some things you should avoid:

✅ Do seek help right away. Whether you call 911, go to a hospital, or reach out to someone you trust, getting immediate support is critical.
✅ Do consider a forensic exam (rape kit). This can help preserve physical evidence, even if you’re not sure about pressing charges yet.
❌ Don’t post about the assault online. Social media can complicate your case. Talk to a sexual assault attorney in Las Vegas before sharing anything publicly.
❌ Don’t blame yourself or lose hope. You did nothing wrong. At The Paul Powell Law Firm, our experienced sexual assault lawyers are here to help you find justice and begin healing.

How to File a Sexual Assault Claim in Las Vegas, Nevada

If you or a loved one has been the victim of sexual assault in Las Vegas, it’s important to understand your legal options. Filing a sexual assault claim can be emotionally difficult, but taking action is a critical step toward justice, healing, and holding the perpetrator accountable.

Here’s what you need to know about how to file a sexual assault claim in Las Vegas.

Contact the Police—Talking with the police allows officers of the law to promptly begin an investigation into your case. You will likely be interviewed for possibly many hours. While this may seem cumbersome, understand that the police are just doing everything they can do obtain every shred of evidence they can.
Speak with a Medical Professional—If you’d rather not speak with law enforcement right away, you can speak to the medical professional who is responsible for treating any injuries and examining you for the perpetrator’s DNA evidence. Simply tell them that you’d want to report the crime. Additionally, you can speak to a variety of mental health specialists trained to deal with trauma. Regardless of whom you speak with, know that even if you don’t prosecute immediately, completing a “rape kit” will allow for the preservation of DNA evidence and the uploading of the perpetrator’s information into a national database for future records.
Consult with an Attorney—An attorney can make or break your sexual assault case. With serious cases such as those involving sexual assault, it’s best to consult with those experienced with the law. Contact a reputable team of lawyers—preferably those found at The Paul Powell Law Firm—for an increased chance of receiving compensation and putting the perpetrator behind bars.

Keep in mind that, depending on the state, time is limited to filing a sexual assault claim. Some states impose a statute of limitations, which is a law stating the period of time a prosecutor can charge the perpetrator. If the statute of limitations runs out, no charges can be brought against the perpetrator. This is why taking immediate action is important. While you may be uncomfortable and nervous, know that the sooner you take action, the greater chance there is for retribution.

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Important things to establish during a sexual assault case:

Lack of Consent—It’s pivotal to point out how the sexual act took place and whether the act was consensual. Establishing a clear lack of consent is essential for a sexual assault case.
Identity—Figuring out who committed the sexual assault is also important. Often, though, the perpetrator is someone the victim knows.
Aggravating Circumstances—Other aggravating circumstances, such as the perpetrator spiking the victim’s drink, could lead to the defendant’s conviction and compensation for the victim.

What Are the Damages from Sexual Assault?

The legal team at The Paul Powell Law Firm can help you understand sexual assault and the law.

Trauma from a sexual assault varies among individuals. Potential physical damages could include external as well as internal injuries. But, that’s not all. There are also plenty of emotional and mental traumas that a person could carry for weeks, months, and even years after the sexual assault occurred.

Examples of some lasting injuries include:

PTSD
Depression
Anxiety
Unstable emotions/mood swings
Flashbacks
Permanent physical injuries

When calculating damages, every kind of harm—physical, mental, emotional, etc.—is factored into the victim’s just compensation. And, with experienced guidance from The Paul Powell Law Firm, you can rest assured you’ll be receiving excellent care.

What Do the Statistics Show on Sexual Assault?

Instances of sexual assaults have been on the decline. The Rape, Abuse, and Incest National Network reported that in 2016, there were over 300,000 sexual assaults. This number is much lower than those in the early 90s. For instance, in 1999, there were nearly 600,000 sexual assaults. Overall, the rate of sexual assault and rape has fallen by 63% (from 4.3 to 1.2 assaults per 1,000 individuals) since 1993.

That isn’t to say that sexual assault isn’t still a problem. It is. Thousands of inmates, children, spouses, military members, and other Americans experience sexual assault. One in every six women have been the victims of an attempted or completed rape, and one in every thirty-three men have been the victims of an attempted or completed rape. And, of those who were victims of sexual assault, 48% were sleeping or doing something else at their own home.

How Can a Sexual Assault Attorney Help Me?

Suffering from a sexual assault can leave you feeling helpless, but you shouldn’t have to fight alone. With help from The Powell Law Firm, you won’t have to. Here’s how we can help you:

Gather and Organize Evidence—Our professional legal team works together and with partners to collect and manage all the evidence of your case. We’ll work to present the clearest, most impenetrable arguments we can muster to win your compensation.
Represent You—Knowledge of the law is serious business, and it’s something we from The Powell Law Firm possess. Don’t fight the opposition blindly. Let us lead the way with our legal prowess and professional experience.
Relieve Stress—After a sexual assault, you will likely face many burdens and stresses. The last thing on your mind should be going to court. Luckily, we’ll deal with all your legal battles for you so you can focus on healing physically, mentally, emotionally, and spiritually.

Need Help from a Sexual Assault Lawyer?

If you need help from a sexual assault attorney, contact The Paul Powell Law Firm.

You can reach our Vegas team at 702-728-5500. Alternatively, you can take advantage of our LiveChat feature or fill out a contact form. Consultations are always free, so don’t hesitate; get in touch with us today!