Many people are shocked when they find themselves charged with a felony offense because prosecutors charged an ordinary object as a deadly weapon. Many ordinary misdemeanor charges can be elevated to serious felonies if a deadly weapon is used in the commission of the offense - For example, Battery (misdemeanor) can become Battery with a Deadly Weapon (felony), Assault (misdemeanor) can become Assault with a Deadly Weapon (felony), and Theft can become Robbery with the Use of a Deadly Weapon (felony).
Nevada's deadly weapon law is extremely broad. NRS 193.165 defines a deadly weapon as:
"Any instrument which, if used in the ordinary manner contemplated by its design and construction, will or is likely to cause substantial bodily harm or death . . . [or] Any weapon, device, instrument, material or substance which, under the circumstances in which it is used, attempted to be used or threatened to be used, is readily capable of causing substantial bodily harm or death . . ."
Prosecutors have been known to charge rocks, forks, steel-toed boots, dust pans, and staplers as deadly weapons.
If you or someone you know has been charged with a felony offense because a prosecutor charged an ordinary object as a "deadly weapon," it is important to contact a Las Vegas Criminal Defense Attorney immediately. A Las Vegas Criminal Defense Lawyer can help you analyze the facts of your case, identify defense strategies and provide you with an aggressive defense to protect your legal rights.