After you’ve been arrested for a DUI in Nevada, your very first step should be to get in touch with a trusted and respected Las Vegas DUI lawyer. The reason is because you won’t know all of the information you need to make the best decisions going forward. Fortunately, you can seek help from a lawyer to get reduced penalties or an acquittal.
Even so, it’s useful to know the general timeline following a drunk driving arrest in Nevada. First of all, you’ll want to request a hearing in court within 7 days after being charged. It’s a good idea to request a hearing. An arraignment will advise you of your rights, but you can rely on your Las Vegas DUI attorney for that key information. At the pre-trial conference, your attorney can discuss your particular case with the Las Vegas district attorney in an attempt to negotiate an acceptable plea bargain on your behalf.
As for the trial, you will only get a jury trial if you have been charged with a felony DUI, which occurs after a 3rd DUI or a DUI that resulted in the death or substantial bodily harm of others. Otherwise, your case is a misdemeanor charge with a judge presiding. Either way, the court will impose a sentence after a plea bargain is accepted or a conviction is decided. You’ll face penalties like jail time, fines, loss of your driver’s license and mandatory alcohol classes. However, the involvement of a quality Las Vegas DUI attorney will help you get the best possible outcome in your drunk driving case.
