First Offense DUI in Nevada

First DUI in Nevada penalties include both criminal and administrative action. The following article outlines the administrative and criminal penalties applicable to a first offense arrest and conviction only for adult drivers with private operator’s license, and in turn, commercial drivers and minors will face differing criminal and administrative penalties. A notable element of Nevada DUI law is that no administrative action for refusals to submit is relevant, as the state has granted law enforcement the right to take reasonable measures of force to obtain a sample, if suspect resists or refuses.

Administrative Penalties

• First offense DUI arrest in Nevada imposes an administrative license suspension of ninety (90) days, with the ability for offenders to obtain a restricted/hardship license after half the ninety (90) day suspension period

• Reinstatement of license, if during suspension period, will require use of ignition interlock device for first offense

• Reinstatement of license also requires completion of DUI school and alcohol/substance abuse assessment

Criminal Penalties

• First offense convictions carry mandatory minimum period of incarceration of two (2) days, which can be served out in the form of community service for forty-eight (48) hours, with potential incarceration of up to six (6) months

• Fines imposed range from $400 to not more than $1000, but fine amounts do not account for expenses incurred during completion of other terms of sentence or account for costs incurred during reinstatement of license

• Convictions for first offense DUI in Nevada will influence future DUI arrests and charges for a period of seven (7) years

Getting Legal Help

For more information and insight into first offense DUI charges in Nevada, including insight into the possibility of a plea option reducing the charges to a less serious criminal offense, consult with a Nevada first offense DUI lawyer.