Thursday, January 2, 2014

I Got a DUI What Do I do Now


DUI in Las Vegas and What Will Happen to YOU!

So you ignored the warnings and got caught by the Police with a beyond the limit blood alcohol level.  Here is what happens:
DUI has two distinctly different results: administrative and criminal. The DMV is going to hit you with penalties on you and your license (administrative), and the courts may fine you and press charges (criminal).
The DMV will suspend your license upon your arrest for DUI. To get your license back after both this suspension and the court-imposed suspension have elapsed, you will be required to do the following at the DMV:
    • Pay a $65 driver license reinstatement fee.
    • Pay a $35 Victims Compensation Civil Penalty.
    • Pay a $21.75 driver license application fee.
    • Retake the vision and written tests, and possibly also the skills test.
    • Have your insurance company file an SR-22 certificate with the DMV for three years.
The above is for the first time; consequences will be much more serious for subsequent offenses.
Note: Requesting the required SR-22 certificate from your insurance company will usually result in your insurance premiums doubling or tripling for those three years. Some insurers don't provide SR-22s and may drop you altogether.
The following are the criminal penalties for DUI convictions.
First conviction:
    • Driver license revoked for 90 days. After 45 days, you may be eligible to apply for a restricted license that will enable you to drive to work and back.
    • Jail sentence of at least two days and up to six months, or 96 hours of community service.
    • Fine of at least $400 and up to $1,000.
    • Mandatory attendance at DUI School; average cost is $150 for tuition.
    • Attend and pay for a Victim Impact Panel
    • Possible order to attend a substance-abuse treatment program.
Second conviction within seven years:
    • Driver license revoked for one year. You will not be eligible for a restricted license.
    • Jail sentence or home arrest of at least 10 days and up to six months.
    • Fine of at least $750 and up to $1,000.
    • One hundred to 200 hours of mandatory community service.
    • Possible car registration suspension.
    • Possible order to attend a substance-abuse treatment program or undergo clinical supervision for up to one year.
Third (or more) conviction within seven years:
    • Driver license revoked for three years; you may be eligible for a restricted license under certain circumstances.
    • Prison sentence of at least one and up to six years.
    • Fine of at least $2,000 and up to $5,000.
    • Possible car registration suspension.
DUI causing death or serious injury (even on a first offense):
    • Driver license revoked for three years.
    • Prison sentence of at least two and up to 20 years.
    • Fine of at least $2,000 and up to $5,000.

John E. Cereso, Managing Partner Nevada Law Group on Las Vegas DUI. You don't get lost in our law firm. 
Nevada DUI and Traffic Law Provisions