I Was Arrested for DUI Drugs in Nevada – What Should I Expect?

Hey there, looks like you got arrested for DUI drugs in Nevada. That can’t have been fun, but don’t worry – this article will walk you through what to expect next and how an attorney can help. I know, getting arrested is scary, but take a deep breath – you’ve got this.

The Arrest

So the cops pulled you over and thought you seemed high. They probably asked you to take some field sobriety tests, which are basically little games like walking a straight line or standing on one foot. I’m guessing you didn’t do so hot on those tests, so the officer arrested you and took you to the station.

At the station, they likely did a blood test to see what drugs were in your system. In Nevada, there are legal limits for how much of each drug you can have in your blood when driving[1]. So if those blood test results show you were over the limit for marijuana, cocaine, meth, or anything else, you could be looking at a DUI drug charge.

I know getting arrested and going through all that testing was not a fun time. But try not to stress too much. An attorney can help make sure your rights were respected and that the cops had a valid reason to pull you over in the first place.

What Happens Next?

After you got out of jail, you were probably given a court date – that’s when you’ll have to show up and face the music on these charges. Between now and your court date, here’s what you can expect:

• DMV Hearing: The DMV will try to suspend your license, so you can request a hearing to fight it. Do this within 7 days![2]
• Court Date: At your first appearance, you’ll be formally charged and can enter a plea.
• Penalties: If convicted, expect fines, DUI classes, license suspension, and possibly jail time.

Yikes, I know. But a good DUI attorney can help get charges reduced or even dismissed. There are lots of ways to fight a DUI drug charge in Nevada. An attorney knows how to beat these things.

How a Lawyer Can Help

Having a lawyer on your side makes a huge difference. Here’s what a good attorney can do:

• Review if the traffic stop and arrest were legal
• Negotiate with the prosecutor to reduce charges
• Challenge the blood test results
• Present evidence and witnesses showing your innocence
• Advocate for the minimum penalties if convicted

See, you’ve got options! Don’t just plead guilty and take the maximum punishment. Fight this thing with an experienced DUI lawyer on your team.

Common Defenses

There are a bunch of ways your attorney can get charges reduced or dropped. Here are some common defenses in DUI drug cases:

• No probable cause for the traffic stop – If the cops didn’t have a valid reason to pull you over in the first place, the whole case could get tossed.[3]
• Faulty blood testing – These tests aren’t perfect. Problems with collection or analysis could make the results invalid.[4]
• Legal prescription drugs – Just because you had drugs in your system doesn’t mean they were illegal. Prescriptions are OK.[5]

See, there’s hope! Don’t just give up and plead guilty – make the prosecutor prove their case. An attorney knows how to poke holes in the evidence.

What Kind of Penalties Are We Talking?

If convicted of DUI drugs, penalties get worse for each offense. For first timers, you’re likely looking at:

• Fines from $400-$1000
• 2 days to 6 months in jail
• License suspended for 185 days
• DUI classes and drug/alcohol evaluation

It ramps up from there if you have prior DUIs. But an attorney may get charges reduced to reckless driving to avoid all that. Don’t panic!

Takeaways

Getting arrested for DUI drugs is scary, but it’s not the end of the world. An experienced DUI attorney can help make sure your rights are protected, review if the arrest was legal, and fight to get charges dropped or reduced. Don’t just plead guilty – make them work for it! There are options, so call a lawyer ASAP. You’ve got this!