Las Vegas DUI Defense Attorney

A Las Vegas DUI arrest can be scary, embarrassing, and confusing. Oftentimes, those that are arrested for a DUI in Las Vegas are not people typically thought of as criminals. Doctors, lawyers, mothers, and even police officers are routinely arrested in Las Vegas for a DUI.

Whenever a person is arrested for a DUI in Las Vegas, two things immediately happen: the court takes action, and the DMV takes action. Oftentimes, people are overwhelmed with all of the consequences that arise from a DUI in Las Vegas. Our las Vegas DUI lawyers here to help.

Attorney Charles Goodwin at Goodwin Law Group, PLLC understands the tricky situation you are in when facing DUI charges. He has worked with many clients who were surprised when they were arrested for a DUI. A DUI charge can leave you feeling worried about the future, but with Attorney Goodwin on your side, you can rest assured that your case is in capable hands.

Our legal team has experience handling many cases involving such criminal charges as drunk driving, DUI arrests, reckless driving, and prior DUI convictions. No matter what legal services you require, we can help. Please reach out to us when you are facing DUI penalties in Las Vegas at (702) 819-8242.

Do I Need a Lawyer When I Get a DUI in Las Vegas?

The short answer is yes. When you get a DUI in Las Vegas, two days in jail (that can sometimes be converted to community service!) are mandatory. Whenever jail is mandatory, a lawyer is required. If you get a DUI in Las Vegas and cannot afford an attorney, they will appoint one for you.

However, oftentimes the appointed lawyer is overworked and will only focus on the criminal side of your Las Vegas DUI, neglecting the DMV and your driving privileges. Hiring a Las Vegas dui attorney for your DUI is the best move you can make. That’s where we come in.

We will dedicate our time and best efforts to your case, thoroughly investigating every aspect of your arrest and all allegations against you to build a strong defense. Often, we can identify ways that your rights were ignored during the arrest, meaning the case can sometimes be thrown out completely.

Our talented criminal defense lawyer understands that your side of the story is extremely important, and he will be sure to listen to all of your concerns throughout the legal process. Attorney Charles Goodwin takes the time to explain the steps of the criminal law matters his clients are experiencing so they can make informed decisions about their DUI cases.

With the serious potential consequences that could arise from a DUI conviction, whether it is your first DUI or a repeat offense, you need to have someone on your side who can defend you aggressively. Criminal defense attorneys are there to make sure your rights are protected during the legal proceedings and to get you the positive outcome you need.

Don’t go alone through this overwhelming process. Reach out to us today.

What Are the Qualifications of Driving Under the Influence in Nevada?

Driving under the influence in Nevada is generally determined based on blood alcohol concentration or a BAC test. These tests can be conducted based on the individual’s breath or by blood. If the results are higher than the legal limit of alcohol, the person could be convicted of drunk driving.

While BAC tests are understood by most people, what few people know is that someone can still be arrested for drunk driving in Las Vegas if they have any level of alcohol in their blood and their driving is hampered. This could mean that even the slightest blood alcohol concentration level could lead to a DUI conviction, depending on the policeman’s observation of your driving.

A skilled NV DUI attorney can identify details in your DUI case that could greatly affect the outcome. For example, if the BAC test was completed too long after you were driving, this evidence cannot be used against you. The time limit is generally 2 hours – but this can be hard to prove unless you know what you are looking for, as would an experienced DUI lawyer.

As a criminal defense law firm, we are aware of the techniques of creating the strongest defense possible against a DUI offense, and we are prepared to employ every skill necessary on your behalf. Our criminal lawyer is very familiar with Clark County law and what it takes to get a drunk driving charge lowered or dismissed.

He will apply all of his legal skills to give you the counsel and representation you need to impress a judge and jury and avoid the heavy sentencing that is possible with DUI cases.

Can Prescription Drug Use Lead to a DUI Charge in Las Vegas?

While many people realize that driving under the influence does not just apply to alcohol but also illicit drugs, what is less commonly known is that you can also be convicted of a DUI offense while simply driving under the influence of a prescription drug.

Even with a valid prescription, this is illegal behavior if a policeman determines that it has affected your driving in any way. While a drug may not normally have negative consequences on a person’s ability to drive a motor vehicle, different prescriptions affect people differently, so you may have had a reaction that was unexpected and be arrested and convicted.

However, with a criminal defense attorney fighting for you, we may be able to show the court that the effect on your driving was unexpected, resulting in a dismissal of the DUI.

While we may be able to convince a judge to be lenient when it comes to a controlled substance because they realize it is medication and sometimes this is a necessity, talking down charges of illicit drugs is a harder feat to accomplish.

Substances such as cocaine, heroin, or meth, for example, are not approved for any medical treatment and would be very difficult to overcome, especially without the skills of a criminal attorney. These charges, like those of driving while inebriated, could result in a prison sentence and hefty fines, as well as license revocation.

If you have been arrested for violating Nevada DUI laws, whether it be for a high blood alcohol level or for driving while using prescription medicines or hard drugs, we can help. We believe you have the right to justice in your case, regardless of the alleged crime.

Please let the law office of attorney Charles Goodwin be your ally throughout the legal process of your DUI. We can be what makes a difference between heavy sentencing and getting a much lower sentence, so reach out to us today.

What Form of Sentencing Can Occur after a DUI Conviction?

DUI arrests are treated in a similar fashion to domestic violence cases in Nevada, which might show you how serious these DUI charges are. Just like with a domestic violence allegation, a DUI arrest is addressed with more leniency if it is your first DUI offense.

You will be required to spend a minimum of 2 days in jail, with a maximum of six months incarcerated. You must also complete between 48-96 hours of community service, attend a DUI class and a Victim Impact Panel, and pay a fine of anywhere from $400-$1000. Other requirements may be made as far as participating in an alcohol/drug treatment evaluation, depending on the details of your Nevada DUI case.

Second DUI offenses within seven years are handled in a similar fashion to a first DUI; however, the time and money spent as a result are a bit higher. For example, the minimum number of days in jail is up to 10, with a maximum of 6 months of jail time.

You will still need to take the DUI class, and Victim Impact Panel and potentially be evaluated for alcohol/drug treatment. The fine would be a minimum of $750 and a maximum of $1000.

Finally, if there is a third DUI or higher within a seven-year period, this would be considered a category B felony DUI, with much higher penalties. This drunk driving charge could lead to anywhere from 1-6 years in prison, as well as the required participation in a monitoring program known as the Serious Offenders Program in Nevada.

The fine for a third DUI is at least $2000 and at most $5000. Any DUI that results in substantial bodily harm or death of another individual is also treated as a felony with mandatory time in prison.

With all of these harsh penalties, you can see that it is well worth it to hire a DUI lawyer who can help get your DUI charges reduced to the lowest possible.

When Should I Contact a DUI Lawyer in Las Vegas?

When you get a DUI in Las Vegas, you should contact a lawyer immediately. There are two reasons for this:

1. The DMV WILL suspend your license if you are simply arrested for a DUI.
2. Courts sometimes impose pretrial release conditions even when there is no criminal complaint!

Goodwin Law Group, PLLC can help. DUIs can be confusing because you are being prosecuted by both the DMV and the criminal court system. Because of this, you could have the criminal side of your case thrown out yet still be investigated by the DMV.

Of course, the DMV has the power to revoke your driver’s license, which can be devastating in many ways for most people. This could not only be embarrassing but can hamper your social life and prevent you from being able to work and support yourself and your family. The DMV license can be appealed, but it is time-sensitive.

If you’re subjected to pretrial conditions and no complaint is filed, you may be entitled to having those conditions removed. But if you don’t act fast, you might miss out.

Another reason to contact an attorney immediately if you or a loved one has been arrested for DUI is that the mandatory stay in jail can be converted into community service with the right lawyer advocating for you. Being able to avoid jail is a huge deal for many people, and we are proud to help our clients get out of this upsetting experience.

Whether you failed a breath test or were arrested for driving under the influence of controlled substances, erratic driving, or reckless driving, please reach out to us right away.

Your first priority should be to find a great lawyer who understands your needs and can be your ally throughout the legal process you are facing. Charles Goodwin’s thorough legal knowledge can give you the advantage you need in your DUI case, so contact us today.

Can Goodwin Law Group, PLLC Help with Your DUI Defense in Las Vegas?

When you are charged with DUI, you may worry about how this is going to affect your life moving forward. Drunk driving charges can be humiliating and shocking to many people as they are not the “kind of person” to knowingly drive drunk.

You may have simply been taking your medicine as prescribed and been pulled over for reckless driving, which turned into a DUI. The ramifications of a conviction can be catastrophic, with months in jail, high fines, a criminal record, and a restricted license.

When you are facing the prospect of a DUI conviction, whether it is your first or a repeat DUI offense, the last thing you need is to go through this alone. That is why we urge you to find a Las Vegas defense group that can team up with you and advocate vigorously on your behalf.

DUI Defense Lawyer Las Vegas

Las Vegas DUI Lawyer Charles Goodwin is committed to getting you the best result when you get a DUI in Las Vegas. Charles has defended DUI charges not only in Las Vegas but all over the State of Nevada in municipal courts, district courts, and justice courts.

A member of the National College for DUI Defense, Charles can guide you through both the criminal and DMV processes. At Goodwin Law Group, PLLC, we specialize in Las Vegas DUI defense and have a DUI lawyer available to speak with you 24/7.

We are serious about being there for you because we know firsthand how DUI charges in Las Vegas can affect you. Call (702) 819-8242 today for a free consultation to discuss your Las Vegas DUI.