Destruction of Property Charge after a Friend Kicked Over a Sign

My question involves criminal law for the state of: Nevada

I was in reno to do some sports betting, then met up with some friends. We were drinking, going place to place. At this point, it was two of us walking down the street and the guy with me kicked a cardboard sign, knocking it over. Then about a half hour later we were approached, then grabbed up by security Guard's. I told them I didn't even touch the sign but didn't feel right telling them it was the guy with me who did. They say wait 5 or 10 minutes and they'll have the footage from cameras. Then 10 minutes goes by, they get a call, by this time cops are there, and they arrest us. Then they're saying that it'll take too long for camera footage, but we're arrested anyway, booked, treated like garbage, the whole 9 yards. My charge was destruction of property, less than $25.

Now my question is, am I completely innocent? According to my story? Or am I in trouble for not reporting the incident? Since I did not destroy property and the cameras will prove that.

Also I believe the hotel lied twice to the police trying to get me arrested. This seems like a big deal to me and they should be held accountable for what happened to me.

Any help is appreciated. Thanks.

Now you see what happens when you are in a group that has one person perpetuate a crime and everyone tries to cover their friends crime up. Everyone becomes an accessory and the police have better things to do than waste all night playing games with you. Hire a lawyer and let him get it figured out. After this has cost you thousands, ask yourself if it was worth covering your friends crime.

Realistically, Do I need to hire a defense attorney? I assume once they see the camera footage, my charges will be dropped?

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and I made no effort to cover the crime up at all by the way, never lied to the police, all I told them was that I didn't kick the sign. If I would've told them, Hey it was that guy! I don't think that would've helped. In fact, the man responsible admitted to it at one point, saying I had no part of it, and the cop just laughed.

What makes you think anyone got a copy of the tape?

Odds are one of the security staff personally observed the incident, made a citizen's arrest and the police took custody of you based solely on that without bothering to review or get a copy of the tape. In such a case having a tape corroborates their observation but is not necessary.

If security reviews the tape in preparation to copying it and sending it to the prosecutor, sees they made a mistake and it wasn't you, there could be a "glitch in the system" and the tape that would prove you innocence could suddenly be unavailable. The would leave the guard who made the citizen's arrest free to testify as to what he alleges unchallenged.

You may want to retain counsel if only to ensure any tape that might exist is copied, retained and not destroyed.

That's true, and I've got no idea how I would know if they are gonna supply a tape to the judge or court. That leads me to think, will one of these security guys actually want to lie under oath on the stand claiming he saw me do it? When there is footage out there somewhere, plus a testimony of the truth from the other person arrested with me who is gonna plead guilty.

Sometimes people's egos get caught up in things and they don't want to tell the truth and admit they made a mistake. This goes for both witnesses and suspects.

They might drop the charge b.c they can't proof anything or they could pursue the charges. You probably need a lawyer to request the tape and it's not their then argue that they don't have enough evidence . You could go to court and plead not guilty and see what happens,they offer a diversion program or a reduction to a non criminal charge. It's probably best to hire a lawyer and get the case dismissed,see if you can get the arrest expuncted aswell.