Misdemeanor DUI court, also known as a “moderate offenders program,” is a program that allows someone convicted of misdemeanor DUI (first or second offense) to stay out of jail and possibly have his or her charges reduced to something less serious. While the requirements and expenses of DUI court are significant, it does save you the devastation of spending up to six months in a Clark County jail and may allow you to return home if you live in another state. The application process is fairly complex and admittance is at the discretion of the judge, so your best bet is to have an attorney familiar with the process take care of completing the paperwork correctly and convincing the court that you would benefit more from serving DUI court than by serving jail time.
Requirements
Here are some of the steps you will probably have to complete if admitted to misdemeanor DUI court, although the requirements vary based on your individual case and the judge’s estimation of their profitability for you:
- An anklet and GPS tracker to monitor your alcohol intake and location, plus 90 days under house arrest
- Between one and five days in jail and/or community service
- Group counseling meetings, random alcohol checks, and a weekly status check
- Possible curfew and license suspension
The length of misdemeanor DUI court varies, but usually lasts one year. The length and requirements are generally heavier with a second offense than a first offense DUI. If you are from out of state, you can usually complete the steps in your home state with the cooperation of local services.
Why You Need a Lawyer For Misdemeanor DUI Court
As with most other legal processes in Las Vegas, the requirements for DUI court are strict and confusing to someone not familiar with them. Accidentally violating one of the rules can land you in jail to serve your original sentence, leaving you to deal with possible loss of employment and the inability to return home for as long as six months. If you hope to follow all the steps successfully and earn a minor charge with less disruption to your life, it is critical to get the help of an attorney who can help you through the process and interact with the judge on your behalf. In addition, a defense attorney who has a good working relationship with the court can probably get you lighter requirements for completing DUI court.
