There is a lot on the table if you have been charged with drunk driving in Las Vegas, Nevada. A conviction could result in you losing your job, losing your driver’s license, paying hefty fines, and even serving time in prison. It could also obstruct other opportunities, such as applying for housing or seeking a new job.
At such time, it is crucial to employ an experienced Las Vegas DUI Lawyer to help you get your drunken driving charges reduced or dismissed.
What Will Happen If You Are Pulled Over For a DUI?
If you get pulled over for a DUI, the best plan of action is to comply with law enforcement. It is important not to resist arrest. It can result in significant consequences. Never lie to the officer or withhold any requested information. It’s also crucial to remember that you have the right to remain silent so that you can defend yourself by simply asking to speak with an attorney.
A roadside Breathalyzer test, a field sobriety test, and a blood alcohol content (BAC) test may be required. Again, as a law-abiding citizen, you should never be rude to a police officer or argue with them. However, you can politely request to speak with a lawyer first.
You have the freedom to deny testing at any time. Keep in mind, though, that your driver’s license will be suspended for a year if you refuse the exam. The officer possesses the right to arrest you and obtain a warrant to test for blood alcohol content or drug test.
What Happens If You Are Arrested For A DUI?
In Las Vegas, the blood alcohol content (BAC) limit for drivers under the age of 21 is 0.02 %, 0.04 % for commercial license holders, and 0.08 % for those who don’t fall into any of those categories.
The DMV can revoke your driving license if you are over the legal limit and arrested for drunk driving. You only have seven days after your conviction to request a hearing to appeal the revocation. You will be booked after the tests are done, and your fingerprints and photographs will be taken.
If you post bail or are released on your recognizance, Nevada law mandates that the jail shall not release you until your blood alcohol level is less than 0.02%. That is, the jail will continue to test you until you fulfill the requirements before releasing you.
What Can You Do?
A friend or family member can post bail for you if it has been scheduled. The bail is placed on a schedule if the crime is a misdemeanor. Bail is set at a hearing if the charge is of a felony.
A DMV disciplinary hearing is distinct from your criminal case. A DMV hearing is held to decide if the driving privileges were correctly revoked. Whether you are guilty of DUI /or not is determined by the court case.
While the result of an administrative hearing at the DMV normally has no bearing on your DUI case’s criminal aspects, it is wise to try. The arresting officer may fail to appear in some cases, and you may win the case by default.
And even if you lose the administrative case, the hearing offers the council an opportunity to cross-examine and understand the officer on the record. These results can be used to refute an officer’s testimony or to negotiate a reduced sentence in your court case.
When the stakes are this high, it is time to hire a professional Las Vegas DUI lawyer to help you navigate this process. If you have been charged with DUI in Las Vegas, you have the right to hire your desired legal counsel to help you avoid prison, fines, dismissal of driver’s license, and other penalties.
