Many Nevadans Convicted of Felony DUI Are Repeat Offenders
According to the Reno Gazette-Journal, almost half of the 113 motorists in Washoe County charged with breaking Nevada felony DUI law in the last ten years had previous arrests for driving under the influence. Nearly a quarter of those were arrested for DUI several times, and one of them was arrested for DUI again following his release from prison.
The average BAC for these arrestees breaking Nevada felony DUI law was .198, but some of these drivers’ BAC levels exceeded .3, which could be lethal to many people. Toxicologist Jeff Handler from Philadelphia explains, "The data says these people are not strangers to alcohol -- they're not casual drinkers. If you drink routinely, two beers doesn't do anything. If you're a chronic drinker, you adapt to the effects of alcohol" which results in higher BAC levels.
Nevada felony DUI law mandates that drivers arrested for drunk driving accidents resulting in death or substantial bodily harm receive two to twenty years imprisonment and pay two thousand to five thousand dollars in fine. In addition, their drivers licenses are revoked for three years, they must attend a victim impact panel, and when they do resume driving, they must install a breath interlock device in their car for up to three years.
