When facing DUI charges in Las Vegas for drugs or alcohol, you can represent yourself; however, Nevada is known for having some of the harshest DUI laws in the US. A guilty plea or any conviction can carry a range of administrative and criminal penalties impacting your driving ability.
Criminal convictions have a significant adverse effect on housing, employment, and life in general.
If this is your first DUI, it can be intimidating. It’s essential to fully understand the penalties and consequences of a conviction or guilty plea. The best approach is to speak with a reputable and experienced DUI attorney who will explain the defense options available for minimizing the consequences from the charges.
Visit – The Importance of Hiring a DUI Lawyer: What You Need to Know – to learn what you should know about the importance of hiring a DUI attorney.
Penalties For a First DUI Charge in Nevada
For those with no previous DUI convictions in Nevada or other states, or if the last misdemeanor DUI charge was 7+ years ago, the law treats this as your first offense in Nevada.
Despite this being a first-time charge and a misdemeanor, the penalties are significant. If an incident involves substantial injury or fatality to another person, the result is a felony with greater consequences.
The court system and prosecutors are stringent in imposing penalties in these cases. Aside from administrative suspension of your driving license for six months, the following applies:
- Two days or up to six months in jail or a set number of community service hours
- Fines ranging between $400 and $1000 along with court costs
- Attendance to an approved alcohol awareness program at your cost
- Attendance to a victim impact panel
- Ignition interlock device installation for a set period
For those with a BAC over 0.18, the ignition interlock device will remain in place between one and three years.
For those under the age of 21 with a BAC of 0.18+, you will have additional penalties to include an abuse treatment program and an alcohol or drug dependency assessment. For those driving with a child under the age of 15 in the vehicle, penalties will be more substantial.
A misdemeanor conviction remains on your criminal record without the potential for record sealing until 7 years following the conviction. Go here to learn how to clear your record.
Benefits Of Hiring A DUI Lawyer
DUI charges are serious and have the potential for lasting effects on an individual’s life. If you or someone close to you is facing charges, it’s important to fully understand the consequence and your legal rights.
It’s to your advantage to hire a legal firm focused on this area of the law. You will find that with the knowledgeable attorneys with Friedman Injury Law who provide advice on proceeding with your DUI case and work diligently to achieve the best possible outcome.
Before meeting with the lawyer, it’s wise to prepare a list of questions to get the most from the consultation and ensure you fully understand what will be expected as you move forward.
Consider the following benefits involved in hiring an experienced DUI lawyer to handle your case and why it’s crucial to have legal representation.
Expert knowledge and understanding of DUI laws
DUI attorneys have an extensive understanding of the laws surrounding DUI cases. This expertise in handling these cases helps them achieve the best outcome for each case that follows.
Every state has distinct laws pertaining to driving under the influence, making it important to hire an attorney with up-to-date knowledge on recent case rulings and the latest developments in the state that could impact your case.
The legal system is complex, but a skilled attorney can guide you through the nuances in your specific circumstances, particularly invaluable for a first-time offender.
Reduce or avoid penalties and jail time
The penalties for a DUI conviction can be severe, including the potential for jail time, probation, suspended or revoked license, fines, and community service. By hiring a reputable attorney, you may be able to minimize some of these penalties.
Whether it’s a first misdemeanor offense, or you believe the arresting officers’ procedures were improperly conducted, a skilled lawyer can help reduce or avoid harsh punishments for your situation.
Spot inconsistencies in the case
Driving under the influence is often based on subjective evidence, meaning the prosecution must present evidence to prove beyond a reasonable doubt that you’re guilty of the charges.
A knowledgeable lawyer can assess the facts to find inconsistencies in the prosecution’s case. For instance, the Breathalyzer test results may be inaccurate or there wasn’t a probable cause.
A skilled attorney may also present evidence that contradicts the prosecution’s case, leading the jury to have reasonable doubt which could result in the charges being dismissed or reduced penalties.
Evidence, negotiations, and deadlines
These professionals gather the evidence and negotiate with the prosecution to ensure there’s a fair trial. A DUI attorney has solid negotiation skills to ensure the best outcome, like a reduced charge with the potential for lesser penalties.
With these cases come many procedures before the case lands in court. Missing deadlines can have a negative impact on the trial. The attorney understands the volume of paperwork, the procedures, and the deadlines and makes sure all documents are filed correctly and on time.
For instance, your license will be automatically suspended. You must request a DMV hearing within 7 days to challenge this. The attorney will have this done promptly.
Final Thought
A law firm with attorneys specializing in DUI cases will have the expertise and resources to handle even the most complex circumstances and achieve the best possible outcome.
