Las Vegas DUI Lawyer

Let Attorney David R. Fischer Take the Wheel

A common misconception is that Las Vegas law enforcement have less of a problem with drunk drivers due to the fact that the most famous part of the city is renowned for its wild party atmosphere. As in any other state, though, driving under the influence (DUI) is a serious criminal offense in Nevada and can slam you with some of the harshest penalties the criminal justice system can offer. At the Law Office of David R. Fischer, our Las Vegas DUI attorney is prepared to help you build a strong case to defend your rights, regardless of the complications surrounding your arrest.

Specifics About Nevada DUI Arrests

To be arrested for a DUI, you need to be pulled over with a high blood alcohol concentration (BAC) level. This can be measured through several means, although none of them are guaranteed to be accurate. Mistakes in judgment or poorly-calibrated machinery can mislead law enforcement into thinking your BAC is higher than it actually is, putting you in jeopardy of being unjustly arrested.

It should be noted that you may actually be arrested for a BAC lower than the legal limit if the arresting officer thinks you were posing a threat to other drivers due to your behavior. Additionally, any detectable amount of an illegal substance in your system – such as marijuana or cocaine – can be used to arrest you for a DUI.

Field Sobriety Tests and Implied Consent

In order to try to determine if a driver is drunk, Las Vegas police frequently use field sobriety tests when still dealing with a suspect by the side of the road. The idea is to discover preliminary evidence that suggests your intoxication without much trouble for either party.

The problem that immediately arises with field sobriety tests is their lack of accuracy and objectiveness. If you are ill, debilitated by an injury, or just nervous, you could easily fail any of those tests while 100% sober. In fact, field sobriety tests are so unreliable that they are not actually mandatory; you can refuse to take them without immediate legal consequence.

Chemical tests – such as blood, breath, and urine tests – are a bit different, however. Should you refuse to take any of these tests, Nevada’s implied consent law will automatically revoke your driver’s license in a punishment separate from any other possible penalties. This means that if you are found to be sober and had refused a chemical test, your license will still be suspended. For the most part, it is helpful to refuse a field sobriety test but disadvantageous to refuse a chemical test.

Penalties for DUI Arrests in Las Vegas

If you do not construct a proper defense with a Vegas DWI lawyer, the chances of your conviction could greatly increase. If you are convicted, you can expect administrative and criminal punishments to be used against you.

Multiple convictions or DUI arrests that involved the injury of another individual will carry even worse consequences. In some circumstances, this could mean that you could be facing a three-year driver’s license revocation, $5000 in fines, and six years in prison.

For Those Just Visiting Las Vegas

As Las Vegas is a prominent city for tourism and business conventions, a disproportionate amount of people arrested for DUIs do not actually live in Nevada. Instead they are visitors there for a weekend, either for professional reasons or holiday. If you were arrested and live out of state, you might be concerned about having to travel all the way back to Las Vegas for your court dates – and potentially your trial. For so many people, this is simply not an option due to time constraints and financial burdens.

The good news is that for many first or second DUI offenses in Nevada, you will only be charged with a misdemeanor, which an experienced Las Vegas DWI attorney can entirely handle for you. If you retain the services of our criminal defense firm, Mr. Fischer can go to court on your behalf, argue a case in your defense, and manage relevant paperwork, all while you take care of your personal business elsewhere. Ultimately, our goal is to make you feel comfortable and confident that you will receive the best resolution to your case possible.