Nevada Revised Statutes

Nev. Rev. Stat. § 193.168 (2026)

Felony committed to promote activities of criminal gang; restriction on probation and suspension of sentence; expert testimony

✓ current as of July 2026
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NRS 193.168  Felony committed to promote activities of criminal gang; restriction on probation and suspension of sentence; expert testimony.

      1.  Except as otherwise provided in subsection 5 and NRS 193.169, any person who is convicted of a felony committed knowingly for the benefit of, at the direction of, or in affiliation with, a criminal gang, with the specific intent to promote, further or assist the activities of the criminal gang, shall, in addition to the term of imprisonment prescribed by statute for the crime, be punished by imprisonment in the state prison for a minimum term of not less than 1 year and a maximum term of not more than 20 years. In determining the length of the additional penalty imposed, the court shall consider the following information:

      (a) The facts and circumstances of the crime;

      (b) The criminal history of the person;

      (c) The impact of the crime on any victim;

      (d) Any mitigating factors presented by the person; and

      (e) Any other relevant information.

Ê The court shall state on the record that it has considered the information described in paragraphs (a) to (e), inclusive, in determining the length of the additional penalty imposed.

      2.  The sentence prescribed by this section:

      (a) Must not exceed the sentence imposed for the crime; and

      (b) Runs consecutively with the sentence prescribed by statute for the crime.

      3.  This section does not create any separate offense but provides an additional penalty for the primary offense, whose imposition is contingent upon the finding of the prescribed fact.

      4.  The court shall not impose an additional penalty pursuant to this section unless:

      (a) The indictment or information charging the defendant with the primary offense alleges that the primary offense was committed knowingly for the benefit of, at the direction of, or in affiliation with, a criminal gang, with the specific intent to promote, further or assist the activities of the criminal gang; and

      (b) The trier of fact finds that allegation to be true beyond a reasonable doubt.

      5.  The court shall not impose an additional penalty pursuant to this section if the primary offense is a violation of NRS 201.570.

      6.  Except as otherwise provided in this subsection, the court shall not grant probation to or suspend the sentence of any person convicted of a felony committed for the benefit of, at the direction of, or in affiliation with, a criminal gang if an additional term of imprisonment may be imposed for that primary offense pursuant to this section. The court may, upon the receipt of an appropriate motion, reduce or suspend the sentence imposed for the primary offense if it finds that the defendant rendered substantial assistance in the arrest or conviction of any other principals, accomplices, accessories or coconspirators to the crime, or of any other persons involved in the commission of a felony which was committed for the benefit of, at the direction of, or in affiliation with, a criminal gang. The agency which arrested the defendant must be given an opportunity to support or oppose such a motion before it is granted or denied. If good cause is shown, the motion may be heard in camera.

      7.  In any proceeding to determine whether an additional penalty may be imposed pursuant to this section, expert testimony is admissible to show particular conduct, status and customs indicative of criminal gangs, including, but not limited to:

      (a) Characteristics of persons who are members of criminal gangs;

      (b) Specific rivalries between criminal gangs;

      (c) Common practices and operations of criminal gangs and the members of those gangs;

      (d) Social customs and behavior of members of criminal gangs;

      (e) Terminology used by members of criminal gangs;

      (f) Codes of conduct, including criminal conduct, of particular criminal gangs; and

      (g) The types of crimes that are likely to be committed by a particular criminal gang or by criminal gangs in general.

      8.  As used in this section, “criminal gang” means any combination of persons, organized formally or informally, so constructed that the organization will continue its operation even if individual members enter or leave the organization, which:

      (a) Has a common name or identifying symbol;

      (b) Has particular conduct, status and customs indicative of it; and

      (c) Has as one of its common activities engaging in criminal activity punishable as a felony, other than the conduct which constitutes the primary offense.

      (Added to NRS by 1991, 1057; A 2007, 3191; 2009, 415)

     

Notes of Decisions
Cited in 20 cases (3 in the last 5 years), 1998–2024 · leading case: Origel-Candido v. State, 956 P.2d 1378 (Nev. 1998).
Origel-Candido v. State, 956 P.2d 1378 (Nev. 1998). · cites it 20× “The prosecution also sought a sentence enhancement under NRS 193.168, which imposes an additional penalty for felonies committed in furtherance of criminal gang activity.”
Mendoza-Lobos v. State, 218 P.3d 501 (Nev. 2009). · cites it 2× “1675(1)); felonies committed to promote activities of a criminal gang (NRS 193.168(1)); and felonies committed with the intent to commit, cause, aid, further, or conceal an act of terrorism (NRS 193.”
State v. Bonds, 502 S.W.3d 118 (Tenn. Crim. App. 2015). “425 ; Nev.Rev. Stat. Ann. § 193.168; Tex. Penal Code Ann.”
Hernandez, 26 I. & N. Dec. 397 (BIA 2014). “423 (West 1993); Nev. Rev. Stat. Ann. § 193.168 (West 1991).”
Kirkpatrick v. State, 137 P.3d 1193 (Nev. 2006). · cites it 2× “As provided in NRS 193.168(1), the district court also imposed an additional and consecutive term of 48 to 120 months as a gang enhancement for the conspiracy count.”
State v. Devries (richard) c/w 86648/86649/86650/86651/86652/86653, 140 Nev. Adv. Op. No. 82 (Nev. 2024). · cites it 11× “Thus, the State presented sufficient evidence to the grand jury to support a probable cause finding that Hells Angels is a criminal gang under NRS 193.168. Because the district court substantially erred in dismissing the gang enhancement, we reverse and remand.”
Goode (Amaan) v. State (Nev. 2014). · cites it 17× “" NRS 193.168(1) (emphasis added). Therefore, Goode's 3As discussed above, we are not persuaded that only adult felony convictions are admissible as examples of gang members' felonious conduct.”
State v. Devries (richard) c/w 86648/86649/86650/86651/86652/86653, 140 Nev. Adv. Op. No. 82 (Nev. 2024). · cites it 10× “Thus, the State presented sufficient evidence to the grand jury to support a probable cause finding that Hells Angels is a criminal gang under NRS 193.168. Because the district court substantially erred in dismissing the gang enhancement, we reverse and remand.”
Elizondo (Damian) v. State (Nev. 2014). · cites it 14× “NRS 193.168(1). A "criminal gang" is: any combination of persons, organized formally or informally, so constructed that the organization will continue its operation even if individual members enter or leave the organization, which: (a) Has a common name or identifying symbol;…”
Hicks v. State, Bd. of Parole Comm'rs (Castillo) (Nev. 2016). · cites it 2× “165) or the gang enhancement (NRS 193.168). The district attorney argues that NRS 213.”
Hernandez (Marcos) v. State (Nev. 2013). · cites it 3× “2d 20, 20 (1981); see also NRS 193.168(1), (8); NRS 200.481(2)(e)(2); NRS 200.”
Garcia (Evaristo) v. State (Nev. 2015). · cites it 3× “' NRS 193.168(8). The record shows that the discovery supported the State's decision to initially charge Garcia with a gang enhancement: (1) in separate recorded statements, EC, JH, and ML stated that Garcia was in their gang named "Puros Locos" or "PL," and several purported…”
— Nev. Rev. Stat. § 193.168(1) — 10 cases
Mendoza-Lobos v. State, 218 P.3d 501 (Nev. 2009). “1675(1)); felonies committed to promote activities of a criminal gang (NRS 193.168(1)); and felonies committed with the intent to commit, cause, aid, further, or conceal an act of terrorism (NRS 193.”
Origel-Candido v. State, 956 P.2d 1378 (Nev. 1998). “The prosecution also sought a sentence enhancement under NRS 193.168, which imposes an additional penalty for felonies committed in furtherance of criminal gang activity.”
Kirkpatrick v. State, 137 P.3d 1193 (Nev. 2006). “As provided in NRS 193.168(1), the district court also imposed an additional and consecutive term of 48 to 120 months as a gang enhancement for the conspiracy count.”
State v. Devries (richard) c/w 86648/86649/86650/86651/86652/86653, 140 Nev. Adv. Op. No. 82 (Nev. 2024). “Thus, the State presented sufficient evidence to the grand jury to support a probable cause finding that Hells Angels is a criminal gang under NRS 193.168. Because the district court substantially erred in dismissing the gang enhancement, we reverse and remand.”
State v. Devries (richard) c/w 86648/86649/86650/86651/86652/86653, 140 Nev. Adv. Op. No. 82 (Nev. 2024). “Thus, the State presented sufficient evidence to the grand jury to support a probable cause finding that Hells Angels is a criminal gang under NRS 193.168. Because the district court substantially erred in dismissing the gang enhancement, we reverse and remand.”
— Nev. Rev. Stat. § 193.168(3) — 1 case
Hicks v. State, Bd. of Parole Comm'rs (Castillo) (Nev. 2016). “165) or the gang enhancement (NRS 193.168). The district attorney argues that NRS 213.”
— Nev. Rev. Stat. § 193.168(3)(b) — 1 case
Origel-Candido v. State, 956 P.2d 1378 (Nev. 1998). “The prosecution also sought a sentence enhancement under NRS 193.168, which imposes an additional penalty for felonies committed in furtherance of criminal gang activity.”
— Nev. Rev. Stat. § 193.168(6) — 1 case
Origel-Candido v. State, 956 P.2d 1378 (Nev. 1998). “The prosecution also sought a sentence enhancement under NRS 193.168, which imposes an additional penalty for felonies committed in furtherance of criminal gang activity.”
— Nev. Rev. Stat. § 193.168(6)(c) — 1 case
Origel-Candido v. State, 956 P.2d 1378 (Nev. 1998). “The prosecution also sought a sentence enhancement under NRS 193.168, which imposes an additional penalty for felonies committed in furtherance of criminal gang activity.”
— Nev. Rev. Stat. § 193.168(7) — 5 cases
Elizondo (Damian) v. State (Nev. 2014). “NRS 193.168(1). A "criminal gang" is: any combination of persons, organized formally or informally, so constructed that the organization will continue its operation even if individual members enter or leave the organization, which: (a) Has a common name or identifying symbol;…”
Goode (Amaan) v. State (Nev. 2014). “" NRS 193.168(1) (emphasis added). Therefore, Goode's 3As discussed above, we are not persuaded that only adult felony convictions are admissible as examples of gang members' felonious conduct.”
State v. Devries (richard) c/w 86648/86649/86650/86651/86652/86653, 140 Nev. Adv. Op. No. 82 (Nev. 2024). “Thus, the State presented sufficient evidence to the grand jury to support a probable cause finding that Hells Angels is a criminal gang under NRS 193.168. Because the district court substantially erred in dismissing the gang enhancement, we reverse and remand.”
State v. Devries (richard) c/w 86648/86649/86650/86651/86652/86653, 140 Nev. Adv. Op. No. 82 (Nev. 2024). “Thus, the State presented sufficient evidence to the grand jury to support a probable cause finding that Hells Angels is a criminal gang under NRS 193.168. Because the district court substantially erred in dismissing the gang enhancement, we reverse and remand.”
Hernandez (Marcos) v. State (Nev. 2013). “2d 20, 20 (1981); see also NRS 193.168(1), (8); NRS 200.481(2)(e)(2); NRS 200.”
— Nev. Rev. Stat. § 193.168(7)(a) — 2 cases
Gonzalez (ernesto) Vs. State, 2015 NV 99 (Nev. 2015).
Gonzalez (ernesto) Vs. State, 2015 NV 99 (Nev. 2015).
— Nev. Rev. Stat. § 193.168(8) — 5 cases
State v. Devries (richard) c/w 86648/86649/86650/86651/86652/86653, 140 Nev. Adv. Op. No. 82 (Nev. 2024). “Thus, the State presented sufficient evidence to the grand jury to support a probable cause finding that Hells Angels is a criminal gang under NRS 193.168. Because the district court substantially erred in dismissing the gang enhancement, we reverse and remand.”
State v. Devries (richard) c/w 86648/86649/86650/86651/86652/86653, 140 Nev. Adv. Op. No. 82 (Nev. 2024). “Thus, the State presented sufficient evidence to the grand jury to support a probable cause finding that Hells Angels is a criminal gang under NRS 193.168. Because the district court substantially erred in dismissing the gang enhancement, we reverse and remand.”
Elizondo (Damian) v. State (Nev. 2014). “NRS 193.168(1). A "criminal gang" is: any combination of persons, organized formally or informally, so constructed that the organization will continue its operation even if individual members enter or leave the organization, which: (a) Has a common name or identifying symbol;…”
Goode (Amaan) v. State (Nev. 2014). “" NRS 193.168(1) (emphasis added). Therefore, Goode's 3As discussed above, we are not persuaded that only adult felony convictions are admissible as examples of gang members' felonious conduct.”
Garcia (Evaristo) v. State (Nev. 2015). “' NRS 193.168(8). The record shows that the discovery supported the State's decision to initially charge Garcia with a gang enhancement: (1) in separate recorded statements, EC, JH, and ML stated that Garcia was in their gang named "Puros Locos" or "PL," and several purported…”
— Nev. Rev. Stat. § 193.168(8)(c) — 5 cases
Goode (Amaan) v. State (Nev. 2014). “" NRS 193.168(1) (emphasis added). Therefore, Goode's 3As discussed above, we are not persuaded that only adult felony convictions are admissible as examples of gang members' felonious conduct.”
Elizondo (Damian) v. State (Nev. 2014). “NRS 193.168(1). A "criminal gang" is: any combination of persons, organized formally or informally, so constructed that the organization will continue its operation even if individual members enter or leave the organization, which: (a) Has a common name or identifying symbol;…”
State v. Devries (richard) c/w 86648/86649/86650/86651/86652/86653, 140 Nev. Adv. Op. No. 82 (Nev. 2024). “Thus, the State presented sufficient evidence to the grand jury to support a probable cause finding that Hells Angels is a criminal gang under NRS 193.168. Because the district court substantially erred in dismissing the gang enhancement, we reverse and remand.”
State v. Devries (richard) c/w 86648/86649/86650/86651/86652/86653, 140 Nev. Adv. Op. No. 82 (Nev. 2024). “Thus, the State presented sufficient evidence to the grand jury to support a probable cause finding that Hells Angels is a criminal gang under NRS 193.168. Because the district court substantially erred in dismissing the gang enhancement, we reverse and remand.”
Garcia (Evaristo) v. State (Nev. 2015). “' NRS 193.168(8). The record shows that the discovery supported the State's decision to initially charge Garcia with a gang enhancement: (1) in separate recorded statements, EC, JH, and ML stated that Garcia was in their gang named "Puros Locos" or "PL," and several purported…”
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