DUI Penalties in Nevada
Las Vegas DUI Defense Lawyers

DUI in Nevada is normally a misdemeanor with fairly standardized penalties. However sentencing and punishment become much harsher which each successive DUI conviction within a seven-year period, or if the DUI caused the death or substantial injury of a third party.

If you face DUI charges here, be sure to consult with an experienced Las Vegas DUI defense attorney before going to court and pleading guilty. Depending on the facts of your case, it may be possible to get the drunk driving charges lessened or dismissed. If so, the Nevada DUI penalties may be reduced substantially or even eliminated.

The "standard" penalties for first-time DUI in Nevada are:

1. 2 days to 6 months in jail OR 24 hours to 96 hours of community service (the court usually imposes a suspended jail sentence of 6 months)



2. Nevada DUI School (an alcohol awareness program at your own expense)



3. Fines ranging from $400 to $1,000 plus court costs (Las Vegas courts usually impose a net $600 fine for first-offense DUI)



4. Nevada Victim Impact Panel (a MADD lecture)



5. If you're under 21 or if your BAC was .18 or greater, an alcohol/drug dependency evaluation that costs $100



6. If your BAC was .18 or greater, an alcohol or drug abuse treatment program



7. If your BAC was .18 or greater, a Breath Interlock Device in your car for 12 months to 36 months (if your BAC was less than .18, the court may order the Breath Interlock Device for 3 months to 6 months)



8. 90 days suspension of your driver's license and a $35 civil penalty fee (you may be able to get a restricted license after 45 days)

For more information about DUI 1st penalties in Nevada, go to our article on
DUI 1st penalties in Nevada.

The "standard" penalties for second-time DUI in Nevada (within seven years of the first one) are:

1. 10 days to 6 months in jail OR residential confinement



2. Fines ranging from $750 to $1,000 or equivalent number of hours of community service (Las Vegas courts usually impose a net $1,100 fine for a second-offense DUI)



3. Nevada Victim Impact Panel



4. An alcohol/drug dependency evaluation that costs $100



5. 1 year driver's license suspension or revocation, 5 day registration suspension, and a $35 civil penalty fee



6. A lengthy alcohol or drug abuse treatment program (DUI Court)



7. If your BAC was .18 or greater, a Breath Interlock Device in your car for 12 months to 36 months as a condition of obtaining a restricted license or reinstating your license (if your BAC was less than .18, the court may order the Breath Interlock Device for 3 months to 6 months)

For more information about DUI 2nd penalties in Nevada, go to our article on
DUI 2nd penalties in Nevada.

Punishment for Third-Offense Nevada DUI (within seven years of the first one):

Whereas first- and second- time DUI convictions within a seven-year period are only misdemeanors in Las Vegas, a third offense drunk driving conviction is a category B felony. The penalties for a third offense are:

1. Nevada prison commitment of 1 to 6 years



2. Fines ranging from $2,000 to $5,000



3. Victim Impact Panel



4. A Breath Interlock Device on your car for 12 months to 36 months after your release



5. 3 year driver's license suspension or revocation, 5 day registration suspension, and a $35 civil penalty fee



6. An alcohol & drug evaluation

For more information about DUI 3rd penalties in Nevada, go to our article on
DUI 3rd penalties in Nevada.

Nevada DUI law provides that a person imprisoned for drunk driving should be segregated from more violent offenders and housed in minimum-security facilities.

Punishment for a DUI Causing Injury or Death:

If an intoxicated driver causes an accident that brings injury or death to another person, the driver faces a more serious Category B felony. The punishment ranges from 2 to 20 years in state prison with fines ranging from $2,000 to $5,000.

Moreover, state DUI law limits the discretion of prosecutors to "plea bargain" these charges down, unless the evidence is weak. Again, a person imprisoned for Nevada DUI causing injury or death is to be segregated from more violent offenders.

Punishment for Vehicular Homicide:

Nevada Vehicular homicide is charged only when someone's drunk driving causes a fatality and that person has three previous DUI convictions. It's a category A felony carrying twenty-five years in prison or a life sentence, with the possibility of parole after 10 years.

Seek Legal Counsel if You Face a Las Vegas
DUI Charge

As you can see, Nevada DUI penalties can be harsh. But the worst part of a drunk driving conviction may be the indirect consequences: higher car insurance premiums, a faulty driving record, and a criminal history that likely will surface on a background check when you apply for a job.

It's not always possible to avoid these consequences . . . but many times it is. Favorable evidence and defenses may exist. This could give you leverage to negotiate a charge reduction, or a good chance of winning at trial. Contact one of our Las Vegas NV DUI lawyers at 702-DEFENSE (702-333-3673) to analyze the facts of your case.

For information about California DUI penalties, go to our article on California DUI penalties.

Join us to discuss your DUI case at any of our
local offices: You can also contact us 24/7 at
702-DEFENSE for a free consultation