Lyon County, Nevada Court Records
Part of the judiciary's work involves collecting, filing, and preserving certain information and details in the course of carrying out its duties. These details include information, documents, exhibits, and other materials maintained by the court in connection with its judicial proceedings. A Lyon County court record, essentially, is a record of the details of a local litigation.
Lyon County court records allow members of the public who were not present at a particular hearing to see how the law was applied, how justice worked, what happened during the trial, and, ultimately, the outcome of the case.
Court records are not the only documents that provide information about the workings of the government or the performance of its duties. Records such as criminal records and arrest records also document other government activities.
Are Nevada County Court Records Public?
Yes. According to Nevada Revised Statutes Chapter 239, records declared public are, by provision, accessible to any member of the public, and access to records declared public cannot be denied. Consequently, Lyon County court records are public.
However, this does not apply to certain records and case details. NRS 239.0105 identifies records and information that are not subject to public access, including Social Security numbers, identifying information of a natural person, an affidavit from a lawyer stating that the disclosure of a record is relevant to an investigation, and a record sealed by court order.
Under these rules, a court record may also be sealed pursuant to the Nevada Rules for Sealing and Redacting Court Records (Rule 3), including when
- A request to seal a record was granted
- A court order requires the record to be sealed
Records exempt from the general public access are accessible only to authorized persons.
What Information is Available in Lyon County Court Records?
A Lyon County court record typically includes only details related to its underlying proceeding. Nevertheless, inquirers may find the following included in any Lyon County court record:
- The names of the parties to the case (plaintiff, defendant, attorney, and judge)
- Case number and case type
- Date of filing
- The court where the case was heard
- Case documents (complaints, petitions, motions, responses)
- Final disposition
- Financial information, where applicable
Lyon County Court Records Search
A court record search in Lyon County is possible in several ways, as provided by the Lyon County courts. The options from which one may choose include an online search, an in-person search, and a mail request.
|
Online Search |
In-Person Search |
Mail Request |
|---|---|---|
|
To file or view cases in Lyon, interested individuals may create an account on the eFlex System. This self-service system is only available to subscribers for a nominal fee |
Complete public cases are not always available online. As a result, inquirers may need to visit the courthouse in person to inspect the records. Paper records and certified copies can be retrieved at the courthouse. |
If the inquirer does not want to go to the courthouse and the records are not available online, they may send a request by mail to the courthouse where the case was tried. Mail requesters must provide sufficient, accurate information about the record they seek. |
If an inquirer has questions about the procedure for retrieving a public court record, they can contact the presiding court by phone or in person. Court staff can help direct the inquirer or provide assistance.
Fees for Court Records in Lyon County
The fee a Lyon County court record requester may incur depends on the type of record, the channel used, and who prepares the document. Some fees incurred when seeking a Lyon County court record are outlined below:
- Copies (standard and certified copies): $1 per page
- Copies of files stamped per page: 50 cents
- Copies not file-stamped: 25 cents
- A CD/DVD of a court hearing from JAVS: $20
- Larger capacity CD: $30
- Certification of copies of any document prepared by a clerk: $3 (NRS 19.013)
- Exemplification of a copy of a document by a clerk: $6
- Searches (per year, per name): 50 cents
Nevada Legislature Chapter 19 prohibits court clerks from charging fees higher than those authorized by law.
Lyon County Courthouse Locations
Lyon County has a District Court, three Justice Courts, and two Municipal Courts. To file a case or make inquiries, individuals can contact the court with jurisdiction to hear the case being filed or the court that handled it.
District Court
Third District Court
Lyon County Courthouse
911 Harvey Way
Yerington, NV 89447
Phone: (775) 463-6503
Fax: (775) 463-6575
The Third District Court in Lyon County adjudicates gross misdemeanors, felonies, divorce, and child custody.
Justice Courts
565 East Main Street
Fernley, NV 89408
Phone: (775) 575-3355
Fax: (775) 575-3359
235 Main Street
Dayton, NV 89403
Phone: (775) 246-6233
Fax: (775) 246-6203
Justice Courts handle general civil actions of up to $15,000, small claims up to $10,000, evictions, temporary protective orders, traffic misdemeanors, and civil infractions.
911 Harvey Way
Yerington, NV 89447
Phone: (775) 463-6639
Fax: (775) 463-6638
The Walker River Justice Court handles a range of cases, from civil to criminal. Some of these cases include temporary protection orders, civil traffic infractions, misdemeanor traffic citations, landlord-tenant matters, gross misdemeanors, initial proceedings for felony criminal matters, and stalking and harassment orders.
Municipal Courts
Fernley City Hall
595 Silverlace Boulevard
Fernley, NV 89408
Phone: (775) 784-9870
Fax: (775) 784-9999
102 South Main Street
Yerington, NV 89447
Phone: (775) 463-3511
Fax: (775) 463-2284
Municipal Courts handle violations of city ordinances, misdemeanors filed under city law, and parking violations.
Criminal Records Access in Lyon County
Individuals seeking criminal records in Lyon County have the following avenues for access:
- Local Criminal Records: Members of the public can retrieve a criminal record from the court that handled the case. The Sheriff's Office can also provide the public with access to county-level criminal records. Inquiries can be made to the court or the Sheriff's Office.
The court system provides access to criminal case records through the case management system, by mail, or in person. Meanwhile, the Sheriff's Office allows inquirers who visit the office to inspect its public records, including criminal-related records.
- Statewide Criminal History: Per NRS 179A.070, a criminal history record includes all information collected, contained, and maintained by criminal justice agencies. The records contain the description of the subject, the notation of summons in the criminal action, arrests, citations for misdemeanors, and other information.
Access to criminal history records is governed by Nevada Revised Statutes Chapter 179A and is restricted.
The Central Repository for Nevada Records of Criminal History serves as the repository for statewide criminal history records. Eligible individuals can contact this agency for record access.
Lyon County Probate Records
The Third Judicial District Court has the authority to handle all probate matters. Some of the probate matters handled by the court include heir disputes, intestate succession, estate administration, creditors' claims, conservatorships, and guardianships.
Records of Lyon County probate proceedings are maintained and distributed by the clerk of the district court. Probate records can be retrieved through the online case search database (eFlex System). Older records and certified copies are available through the clerk's office.
Lyon County Family Court Records
The Third Judicial District Court handles family law cases in Lyon County, and the district court clerk serves as the custodian of the records. Family court records are generally presumed open to the public according to Nevada Revised Statutes (NRS Chapter 121). Consequently, members of the public can search for an open family record through the case management system (eFlex) or stop by the courthouse in person if the record is available only there.
Where one seeks a certificate or a certified copy of a record, in-person visits are also a fitting option. To search for a Lyon County family court record or obtain a copy, an inquirer requires the name of a party to the case, a filing date, or a case number. Requesting a copy typically requires payment of a nominal fee.
Federal Court Records in Lyon County
Local issues in Lyon County are handled by the local courts, which have jurisdiction over matters governed by local ordinances and state law. Occasionally, a case having local origins may fall under federal jurisdiction. When this happens, the United States District Court for the District of Nevada hears the case. Records of each federal case handled by the court are maintained by the federal court clerk and considered accessible to the public. Online, these cases can be accessed through the Public Access to Court Electronic Records (PACER) system. Individuals can also stop by the courthouse in person or send mail to the federal clerk's office to obtain federal court records.
