Las Vegas Marshals Accused of Overstepping Authority in Unlawful Arrest Lawsuit

Case Overview: A class action lawsuit accuses Las Vegas city marshals of exceeding their authority, making arrests outside their jurisdiction and violating drivers' rights.

Consumers Affected: Individuals who were stopped or arrested by Las Vegas city marshals outside the City of Las Vegas's geographic limits.

Court: U.S. District Court for the District of Nevada

A class action lawsuit claims Las Vegas city marshals repeatedly arrested people outside their assigned jurisdiction, sparking allegations of unlawful conduct and wrongful detention. 

Plaintiff Derek Myers says city marshals stopped and detained him on January 9 near I-11 and Craig Road—outside the City of Las Vegas’s geographic limits. According to the complaint, marshals accused Myers of “speeding and following too closely” before searching his vehicle without a warrant or his consent.

Las Vegas Marshals Arrested Drivers Outside City Limits

Myers was arrested after what the lawsuit describes as an unreliable DUI test and taken into custody for 17 hours. He was later released with no criminal charges filed against him, according to Fox 5.

Attorneys representing Myers argue that city marshals have been operating in areas where they lack the legal authority to initiate stops or arrests. The complaint describes the marshals’ alleged actions as “willful” and systematic, accusing them of violating constitutional protections under the Fourth and Fourteenth Amendments.

“Myers became one of hundreds if not thousands of victims of a rogue law enforcement agency brazenly operating outside its legal authority,” the lawsuit claims.

Plaintiffs Allege Violation of Constitutional Rights and False Imprisonment

The suit seeks over $1 million in damages tied to battery, false imprisonment, and violation of constitutional rights. Legal representatives claim the actions of the marshals reflect a recurring issue rather than an isolated event. By allegedly ignoring jurisdictional limits, the marshals are accused of conducting searches and arrests that conflict with established legal standards.

The Fourth Amendment protects individuals against unlawful search and seizure, while the Fourteenth Amendment ensures due process and equal protection under the law. The lawsuit contends that both were violated during the interaction between Myers and the city marshals.

Myers’ lawsuit also raises broader concerns about the scope of authority granted to peace officers assigned to limited geographic areas. Marshals typically operate under the City of Las Vegas’s jurisdiction, yet the lawsuit states that the location of Myers’ arrest was outside those city limits.

Myers alleges that he experienced both emotional and financial harm as a result of his detention. The lawsuit argues that many others may have experienced comparable treatment and outcomes, leading to unjust imprisonment and missed obligations.

Other Cases Highlight Concerns Over Detention Practices

Las Vegas is not the only location facing accusations tied to improper detention practices. In New York, the Department of Correction reached a $92.5 million settlement in a class action lawsuit involving prolonged detention tied to ICE detainer requests. That lawsuit alleged the city kept individuals in custody beyond court-authorized release dates without new charges or warrants.

While each case differs in detail, both raise questions about accountability and oversight when public agencies are alleged to exceed the legal bounds of their authority.

In the Vegas unlawful arrests class action lawsuit, Myers and his attorneys want the court to recognize the alleged misconduct and prevent similar events from occurring in the future. They also ask for damages related to emotional distress, false imprisonment, and unlawful seizure of property.

Case Details

• Lawsuit: Myers v. City of Las Vegas et al.
• Case Number: 2:25-cv-00562-GMN-DJA
• Court: U.S. District Court for the District of Nevada

Plaintiffs' Attorney:

• Adam J. Breeden (Breeden & Associates, PLLC)

Have you been stopped or arrested by Las Vegas city marshals? Share your experience and thoughts on this lawsuit below.