Nevada DUI Penalties

A DUI charge in the state of Nevada is not enjoyable, as a DUI offender may receive a multiude of penalties ranging from imprisonment, extensive fines, the suspension of driving privileges, the mandatory completion of an 8 hour course at a DUI school, and even the possibility of an ignition interlock device being installed in their vehicle.

Furthermore, the prosecution of a DUI defendant may be a long and laborious process, as their arrest will trigger both a criminal case and a Nevada DMV hearing. In addition, an individual may be prosecuted under one (or both) of two legal theories.

The first theory states that a suspect may be charged with a DUI if they are either operating a vehicle while noticeably impaired by the influence of alcohol and/or drugs. The suspect may also be prosecuted under the second legal theory, if they are violating Nevada’s “per se” law. The “per se” law means that if an individual was driving with a blood alcohol content (BAC) of .08 percent or higher at the time of arrest, they were intoxicated by the court’s standard.

First DUI

For a first time DUI charge, the offender may face penalties such as a jail sentence of 48 hours to 6 months, a fine of $340 to $1,175, the suspension of driving privileges for 90 days, and so on. Furthermore, in lieu of imprisonment, the defendant may be sentenced to complete 96 hours of community service.

Second DUI

If an individual is unfortunate enough to receive a second DUI, they may receive such penalties as a jail sentence of ten days to 6 months, a fine of $675 to $1,175, and the loss of driving privileges for up to one year. Other penalties, such as the necessary completion of a certain number of community service hours, or the installation of an ignition interlock device, may be imposed at the offender’s court hearings.

Third DUI

The penalties for a third DUI may be a jail sentence of 1 to 6 years, a fine of $2,085 to $5,085, the loss of the offender’s license for 3 years, and other penalties, such as the installation of a ignition interlock device, and so on.

The penalties for a DUI should not be overlooked as being minor, as they may stay on an offender’s record permanently. However, it is important to remember that a DUI defense lawyer can aid a defendant in lessening the severity of the overall penalties. Therefore, if you are arrested and charged for a DUI in the state of Nevada, it is highly recommended that you contact a DUI defense lawyer immediately.