Last Saturday, July 25, turned into a night of DUI arrests in Las Vegas. Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department (METRO) activated a DUI Blitz for Northeast, Downtown, and Bolden areas of Las Vegas. By night’s end 24 drivers were arrested for DUI within those areas. Over 200 vehicle stops were made on Saturday, with 71 citations being issued, of which 24 were for DUI. In one case, a driver arrested for DUI was transporting children in the vehicle at the time of the arrest.
State officials are concerned due to the uptick in accidents which has occurred since the state attempted to reopen after the COVID-19. Data maintained by the state show that the majority of fatal accidents which have occurred in 2020 have been the result of impaired driving.
First Time DUI Penalties
A DUI arrest has effect on you in two ways. First driving impaired is a violation of the criminal code and a DUI case will be opened against you by the local prosecutor. You will be required to answer charges in court, and you will be required to do jail time. The second effect is non-criminal but has an effect on your driver’s license. Your driving privileges will be suspended for some period of time.
A DUI which did not result in an accident, or which caused significant physical injury to someone else, or substantial damage to property, we’ll call a “simple DUI” for convenience going forward. A first-time simple DUI conviction is considered a misdemeanor in Nevada, and will result is the following criminal and administrative penalties:
Criminal:
- Arrest
- Incarceration from 2 days to 6 months in county jail and/or court determined equivalent community service
- Vehicle impounded at point of arrest
- Fine from $400 to $1,000
- Court Costs
- Chemical Test Fee = $60
- Attendance at Victim Impact Panel
- Attendance at DUI School
- And/or a Substance Abuse Treatment
- Criminal Record may not be sealed for 7 years.
Administrative DMV Restrictions
- Mandatory 90-day revocation of Driver’s License or
- Installation of Ignition Interlock System at your expense for 6 months
- $121 reinstatement fee
- $35 Victims Compensation Civil Penalty
- $42.25 Driver’s License Fee
- $26 Testing Fee
- Requirement to carry SR-22 Insurance Certificate for 3 years
- Record of DUI Conviction will remain on driving record for life
Considering costs of impound fees, legal fees for representation, and fines and fees spelled out by statute, a first time DUI can cost on the very conservative side, $15,000 or more, and will change your driving costs due to the cost of insurance, addition of SR-22 policy, cost of Ignition Interlock System and other court mandated penalties.
Additional DUI arrests after the first conviction will result in higher jail terms, fines, and additional time of suspension from driving.
Ticket Busters lawyers defend against DUI charges
While METRO had their DUI Blitz last Saturday, every day and night in Las Vegas the local police departments are detecting impaired drivers and getting them off the road. Whether you have been charged with a DUI during blitz night or at some other time, the lawyers of Ticket Busters can provide a defense against DUI charges. If you have been charged for a DUI and need a lawyer, call us today at (702) 666-6666 or click the green button at the bottom of the page to text us your information.
Learn More:
https://www.ktnv.com/news/lvmpd-at-least-24-people-arrested-overnight-during-dui-blitz
