If you have been pulled over after a night of partying in Las Vegas and arrested for drunk driving, you are in a dangerous position. Don’t make the mistake of thinking that your DUI charges are an inconvenience that can be quickly cleared up and forgotten about. Failing to treat this accusation with the gravity it requires will cost you heavy penalties, treatment and monitoring that could last for years, and a spot on your criminal record that will haunt you every time you fill out an application for a job or a loan. Here are some misconceptions many people have about dealing with DUI in Clark County:
“I’ll just get a slap on the wrist since I’m from out of state.”
Don’t assume that the judge will lighten your sentence in order to prevent inconvenience to you. If you are convicted of even a misdemeanor DUI, the judge is likely to assign you to treatment programs and weekly checkups right here in Las Vegas.
“It’s only my first offense. How harsh can the punishment be?”
You may be surprised! A first time DUI offender faces jail time (usually suspended), up to $1,000 in fines, treatment programs, and a 90 day driver’s license suspension by the DMV. Only a reduction to reckless driving charges or dismissal altogether can get you out from under these penalties.
“I wasn’t driving drunk, so I can’t be convicted.”
Simply saying “I wasn’t driving drunk” carries no weight with the judge. Rest assured that the prosecution will do its best to convince the judge of your guilt based on the testimony of your arresting officer and the results of roadside and breath tests. Even if you are innocent, you still need a capable defense lawyer to expose faulty evidence that makes you appear guilty.
“I can just plead guilty and get on with my life.”
A DUI conviction will create huge problems in many areas of your life. Unlike many other types of misdemeanors, conviction of misdemeanor DUI in Las Vegas cannot be sealed from your criminal record for at least seven years. Pleading guilty will also compound the effects of any future arrest within that seven year period, adding fines and jail time and making judges less willing to show leniency.
Misdemeanor DUI charges are serious and carry serious, life-changing penalties. If you are to get out of this legal trouble without lasting damage, you need the help of an attorney who not only knows how to challenge DUI accusations, but who also has personal influence with the prosecutors and judges in Clark County.
