Financial Repercussions of DUI in Nevada

The Cost of Driving Drunk in the State of Nevada

Driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs is a very dangerous situation and one the state of Nevada takes very seriously with tough new state laws. All of the cities in Nevada have the same updated 2023 laws when it comes to drunk driving including Reno, Carson City, Las Vegas, and Henderson – those with a BAC (Blood Alcohol Content) at or above 0.08 percent are considered to be driving impaired. The recent DUI consequences for this type of crime are also very serious and the costs associated with them can leave someone in financial ruin from a recent DUI in Nevada.

2023 Nevada DUI Laws & Local DUI Penalties to Expect Will Happen If Convicted

Nevada has some of the strictest DUI laws and penalties in the United States. Driving under the influence (DUI) of either alcohol or drugs is illegal in Nevada, and those recently convicted of a DUI are subject to severe consequences. In this article, we will explore Nevada’s DUI laws and penalties for 2023, and discuss how a conviction could affect your future.

Nevada DUI Laws

In Nevada, it is illegal to operate a vehicle while under the influence of alcohol, drugs, or a combination of both. The legal limit for a driver’s blood alcohol concentration (BAC) is 0.08%. This means that if a driver’s BAC is 0.08% or higher, they are considered to be legally impaired and can be charged with a DUI. Drivers under the age of 21 have an even lower limit. In Nevada, drivers under 21 have a 0.02% BAC limit, meaning that if their BAC is 0.02% or higher, they can be charged with a DUI.

In addition to having a BAC above the legal limit, a driver may also be charged with a DUI if they are found to be impaired due to the influence of drugs or a combination of drugs and alcohol. A driver may be charged with a DUI if a law enforcement officer or other qualified individual believes they are impaired based on physical observations or other evidence.

Nevada DUI Penalties

A local DUI conviction in Nevada can result in significant penalties, including jail time, fines, license suspension or revocation, and installation of an ignition interlock device (IID). The severity of the penalties depends on the number of prior DUI convictions and other factors such as the driver’s BAC and whether there were any minors in the vehicle at the time of the offense.

First Offense

If convicted of a first-time DUI in Nevada, the penalties can include:

• Jail time of up to six months
• A fine of up to $1,000
• A driver’s license suspension of up to 90 days
• Alcohol and drug evaluation and treatment
• Installation of an IID for up to one year

Second Offense

If convicted of a second DUI in Nevada within seven years of the first, the penalties can include:

• Jail time of up to six months
• A fine of up to $1,000
• A driver’s license suspension of up to one year
• Alcohol and drug evaluation and treatment
• Installation of an IID for up to three years

Third Offense

If convicted of a third DUI in Nevada within seven years of the first, the penalties can include:

• Jail time of up to six months
• A fine of up to $2,000
• A driver’s license suspension of up to three years
• Alcohol and drug evaluation and treatment
• Installation of an IID for up to five years

DUI Penalties for Minors

Drivers under 21 who are found to be driving with a BAC of 0.02% or higher can be charged with a DUI in Nevada. The penalties for a minor convicted of a DUI can include:

• A driver’s license suspension of up to one year
• A fine of up to $1,000
• Community service
• Alcohol and drug education classes
• Installation of an IID for up to one year

Aggravated DUI Penalties

In certain situations, a driver may be charged with an aggravated DUI. An aggravated DUI can be charged if a driver:

• Causes an accident that results in death or serious bodily injury
• Refuses to submit to a chemical test
• Is driving with a BAC that is two times or more the legal limit
• Is driving with a minor in the vehicle

The penalties for an aggravated DUI can include:

• Jail time of up to six years
• A fine of up to $2,000
• A driver’s license suspension of up to five years
• Alcohol and drug evaluation and treatment
• Installation of an IID for up to five years

Important Things to Know:

Driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs is a serious offense in Nevada, and those convicted of a DUI will face significant penalties. It is important to understand the local 2023 laws and penalties associated with a DUI conviction, as a conviction can have a lasting impact on your life. If you have recently been charged with a DUI in Las Vegas, or any location in Nevada, it is important to seek experienced legal counsel to protect your rights and ensure the best outcome for your case.

Can a DUI Cost Me Before I Am Convicted?

The financial repercussions of being cited for Driving Under the Influence begin before the offender even has his or her first appearance in court. When a drunk driving traffic stop occurs and the individual is taken into custody, it is likely his or her car will be towed to the local impound lot and stored there until it can be picked up. The officer may allow someone else to pick up the vehicle, but if he or she does not, the offender will be responsible for paying the fees to have the vehicle released.

In some cases, the driver will be booked into the local jail and held with bail – this usually occurs when there are aggravated circumstances associated with the incident and/or the arrest, like having a minor present in the vehicle, an accident occurring, or if the individual is unruly during the arrest process. Bail for DUI offenses usually runs between $500 and $5,000 and this may cause the arrested to seek the help of friend or even a bail bondsman.

Once a formal charge has been brought against the offender, he or she will receive a date to appear in court. Before this first court date, it is advised to contact a DUI lawyer to help try the case. Every lawyer and/or law firm will have a different approach when it comes to charging clients for legal services, usually an hourly rate, one-time fee, or payment plan. For a good DUI lawyer in the state of Nevada, the fees for services will range between $1,000 and $10,000, if not more.

What Will a DUI Cost Me After I am Convicted?

If the case does not go in the offender’s favor and he or she is found guilty of the Driving Under the Influence charge, he or she will then have to face the fines and penalties the state of Nevada outlines. As mentioned, first time offenders of DUI will have to pay fines between $400 and $1,000, second time offenders between $750 and $1,000, and third time offenders between $2,000 and $5,000.

It is important to note that although these are the fines for Nevada, all states will have different fine amounts set for those who are found guilty of DUI.

In addition to monetary fines the offender will be responsible for paying, he or she will also have to face changes to car insurance rates. Since drinking and driving is a very risky driving behavior, the insurance company will very likely raise the individual’s rates in order to cover the increased likelihood the policy holder will have to make a claim at some point. While it is almost certain the car insurance rate will increase, how much the increase will be is dependent on the individual insurance company and the mathematical formula it uses to calculate insurance increases for DUI.

Luckily, the car insurance agencies in the state of Nevada are relatively lenient when it comes to penalizing those who have been convicted of DUI. On average, a DUI offender will see car insurance rates increase by about 55 percent, which will generally add a total of $80 to the monthly payment. While this may seem like a lot, this is much less than some other states which increase insurance rates by 80, 90, or even over 100 percent. As mentioned, this is just the average increase a DUI offender in the state of Nevada will see – all insurance agencies will handle this differently.

How Can I Avoid the Financial Repercussions of DUI?

After the offender has paid all fines and penalties for a DUI arrest and conviction, it is possible to have paid as much as $40,000 for something that could have been easily avoided. It is important to know this figure only includes the fees outlined above and does not include lost wages, the cost of installing an Ignition Interlock Device if it is required, or the cost of using public transportation during the person’s license suspension. The best way to avoid the financial repercussions of DUI is to not drink and drive – always drink responsibly, appoint a designated driver, or use public transportation.