Doug Roberts opposes SB 449 citing unlawful practices of Las Vegas City Marshals

The Nevada Senate Committee on Government Affairs convened on April 4, 2025, to discuss significant legislative matters, notably Senate Bill 449, which has sparked considerable debate regarding the authority of city marshals in Clark County. The meeting highlighted concerns over potential overreach by city marshals, particularly in light of recent incidents involving unlawful arrests.

During the session, a key speaker, Doug Roberts, expressed strong opposition to the bill, emphasizing that it would extend the jurisdiction of city marshals beyond their current limits. He argued that the bill would allow marshals to operate county-wide, which he believes is unprecedented and unnecessary. Roberts pointed to alarming statistics, claiming that thousands of individuals, particularly from minority communities, have been wrongfully arrested by marshals acting outside their jurisdiction. He recounted a specific incident involving a wrongful DUI arrest, underscoring the potential for abuse of power if the bill were to pass.

Roberts' testimony was supported by recent media reports detailing similar allegations against the Las Vegas City Marshals, including lawsuits claiming abuse of authority and illegal detentions. He urged the committee to reconsider the implications of granting additional powers to marshals who are already perceived to be violating existing laws.

The committee also heard from other stakeholders, including proponents of the bill, who argued that it would enhance law enforcement capabilities and benefit the community. However, the lack of support from the public was evident, as no additional opposition was voiced during the meeting, and no neutral testimonies were recorded.

As the session concluded, the committee acknowledged the need for further discussion and analysis of the proposed amendments to the bill. The outcome of this legislative debate will likely have significant implications for law enforcement practices in Clark County, particularly regarding the balance of power between city marshals and other law enforcement agencies.

The committee plans to reconvene to continue discussions on Senate Bill 420, indicating that the legislative process is ongoing and that further scrutiny of law enforcement authority in Nevada remains a critical issue.