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The Law Offices of Garrett T. Ogata have been following recent civil rights lawsuits filed against the City of Las Vegas Deputy City Marshals. These lawsuits allege that the Marshals, who operate separately from the Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department, have been acting outside their jurisdiction and violating citizens’ constitutional rights. The growing number of claims has led many to describe the Marshals as a “shadow police force.”
The City of Las Vegas Deputy City Marshals are peace officers employed by the city’s Department of Public Safety. Their primary duties include patrolling city parks, buildings, and other municipal properties. While they have law enforcement powers on city-owned or leased land, their authority does not traditionally extend to general traffic enforcement or arrests throughout Clark County.
The controversy arises from claims that City Marshals have been conducting traffic stops and arrests on highways and public areas not owned or controlled by the city. Critics argue that this behavior blurs the line between the Marshals and the Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department, creating confusion about who has legal authority in specific situations. This overlap has fueled allegations that the City Marshals function as a “shadow police force” with limited oversight.
Multiple lawsuits have been filed against the City of Las Vegas and its Deputy City Marshals in both state and federal court. These lawsuits include allegations of excessive force, unlawful detention, and constitutional violations.
In one widely reported case, the American Civil Liberties Union of Nevada filed a lawsuit on behalf of Lance Downes-Covington. He alleges that a deputy marshal conducted an unlawful traffic stop in April 2023, pulled a gun on him, and used a stun gun during the arrest. The lawsuit claims that the Marshals had no legal authority to initiate that stop because it occurred outside their jurisdiction.
Another case involves plaintiff Derek Myers, who was stopped by Marshals on a highway and detained for over 17 hours without being charged. His lawsuit, reported by the Las Vegas Review-Journal, accuses the Marshals of false arrest, unlawful search, and violating his Fourth and Fourteenth Amendment rights.
A separate class-action complaint, detailed by FOX5 Vegas, accuses the City Marshals of routinely exceeding their legal boundaries by making traffic stops on major highways such as I-11 and US-95. The lawsuit describes this as a pattern of unconstitutional conduct by officers acting beyond the scope of their legal authority.
Together, these lawsuits challenge not only individual actions by Marshals but also the city’s policies that may have encouraged or permitted this behavior.
The growing number of lawsuits against the Las Vegas city Marshals has drawn attention to questions about authority, accountability, and jurisdiction.
The key legal issue centers on whether the Marshals have been acting within their jurisdiction under Nevada law. According to state statute NRS 280.125, their powers are generally limited to enforcing laws on city-owned or controlled property. If Marshals conduct traffic enforcement or make arrests elsewhere, those actions may violate both state law and constitutional protections.
These lawsuits raise several important legal and civil rights concerns:
Beyond the courtroom, the allegations have sparked public concern over accountability and transparency in local law enforcement. Residents and visitors may find it difficult to distinguish between Marshals and Metropolitan Police officers, leading to confusion about who is enforcing the law and under what authority.
Civil rights advocates have questioned whether the city’s oversight of its Marshals is sufficient. As noted by The Nevada Independent, some legal experts describe the current situation as “a shadow system of policing” that operates without clear boundaries or accountability. These concerns show the importance of transparency and adherence to jurisdictional limits to maintain public trust.
If you are stopped, questioned, or detained by a City Marshal in Las Vegas, you have rights that should be respected and protected. Here are a few important steps to follow:
An experienced defense lawyer can determine whether the Marshals acted within their legal authority and whether your constitutional rights were violated. If misconduct occurred, you may be entitled to compensation for emotional distress, unlawful detention, or physical harm.
The Law Offices of Garrett T. Ogata represents individuals whose rights have been violated by law enforcement, including cases involving the Las Vegas City Marshals. The firm has extensive experience handling complex criminal defense and civil rights matters throughout Nevada.
Our attorneys can:
If you believe you were wrongfully stopped, searched, or detained by a City Marshal, contact us today at (702) 366-0891. Our firm will evaluate your case and explain your legal options so that you can make informed decisions about how to proceed.
