During a recent podcast, Democratic Assembly Speaker Steve Yeager (AD-9) reflected on Nevada’s 2019 criminal justice reform bill, AB 236, calling it a “landmark” achievement and expressing pride in its passage.
Yeager emphasized that reforming the criminal justice system was one of his motivations for entering politics after his tenure as a public defender. The bill, crafted by a Democratic majority and signed into law by former Governor Steve Sisolak, was aimed at reducing Nevada’s prison population through modifications in sentencing, bail, probation, drug offenses, and felony classifications.
AB 236 lowered penalties for certain drug offenses and raised the amount required for felony charges related to methamphetamine and fentanyl possession. The legislation also increased the threshold for felony theft from $600 to $1,200, meaning those who steal goods valued under $1,200 would now face misdemeanor charges rather than a category D felony.
Yeager previously defended this change, noting on Nevada Newsmakers that the state’s low felony threshold was out of step with other states.
“Your average iPhone is going to be $1,200,” Yeager said. “So if you take an iPhone, you are looking at having a felony.”
Despite Yeager’s intent to modernize the justice system, the law has sparked significant controversy. Property crime rates have surged 15 percent in Nevada since AB 236 went into effect, while drug store thefts have jumped by 39 percent.
If this was not enough, Nevada is seeing a dramatic increase in car thefts as the crime rose 33 percent, becoming the ninth highest in the nation. Data shows that there were 11,481 vehicle thefts in Nevada in 2020 and 15,279 vehicle thefts in Nevada in 2022. Las Vegas finished among the top metros for increases in auto thefts with a 38.3 percent increase.
Attorney General Aaron Ford was involved in developing the bill and endorsed the reforms, which he and other supporters argued would promote fairer and more effective justice. However, critics argue the reform has had unintended consequences.
Washoe County District Attorney Chris Hicks publicly criticized the bill, describing it as a “rubber stamp” for drug use in Nevada. In a presentation earlier this year, Hicks expressed concern over Nevada’s growing crime rate, particularly in Washoe County, and warned the state could become “another California.”
Hicks linked AB 236 to the rising crime statistics, citing cases like Debora Redden, a repeat offender facing charges of attempted murder after attacking a Las Vegas judge. Redden, who has multiple violent felonies on record, did not meet the seven-felony threshold for enhanced sentencing under the new law.
According to Hicks, Redden’s case showcases the dangers associated with AB 236 and reflects the broader issues tied to the bail reform movement. The bill, Hicks asserted, has allowed repeat offenders like Redden to continue committing crimes without facing heightened consequences.
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