Drunk drivers are not the only people who are seriously injured during a DUI-related accident. Road misfortune also affects innocent pedestrians who are either walking or driving in close proximity where the accident takes place. In the state of Nevada, it is unlawful to drive if your blood alcohol content is at .08% or higher, or if your manner of driving is obviously impaired.
DUI Arrests in Nevada
If you are pulled over due to intoxication, the arresting officer will request you to take a BAC test. This chemical examination will determine the amount or level of alcohol present in your system at the time of arrest. It is under the Nevada DUI law that if you refuse to take the BAC test, the arresting officer can use force to obtain a blood sample from you.
Once you are arrested for drunk driving, you will have to face two separate cases. The court case will decide the majority of your charges such as jail time, fines, and alcohol rehabilitation, while an administrative hearing will determine the duration of your license suspension. It is your responsibility to request this hearing, so you should immediately talk to a DUI lawyer to help you file a request with all the necessary papers. Failure to make an appeal with the DMV will automatically suspend your license by default.
Basic Consequences for First Time Offenders
If you are arrested for drunk driving for the first time in Nevada, you may be wondering what is going to happen next. First time offenders can expect to face the following charges:
The washout period of DUI convictions in Nevada is seven years. This means that a repeat DUI offense that takes place seven years after your previous DUI conviction will now be considered as if your first ever DUI arrest. However, if you face the same case within the seven-year period, you will have to face tougher consequences.
License Suspensions for Nevada DUI
Besides criminal charges, your Nevada DUI conviction will also cause you to lose your driving license as determined in your DMV hearing. You can expect to serve license suspension in the following manner:
First time offenders can apply for a restricted license after serving a 45-day suspension. This license will allow you to drive to and from work or school. However, to be able to get this license, you will have to pay the following fees:
Insurance Consequences
Following you DUI conviction in Nevada, you are then classified as a high risk driver. For this reason, your insurance provider will have to impose higher insurance rates as a result of your DUI record. Besides increasing your rates, your provider may also contemplate on cancelling your coverage. You may find it too exhausting looking for a new carrier then, as some insurance companies will not cover DUI offenders. Because you need to present the SR-22 Certificate of Liability Insurance before you get your license back, you may have no other choice but pay higher insurance rates.