Las Vegas Criminal Defense Blog

This weekend, sheriff's deputies in Nye County seized approximately thirty pounds of marijuana stemming from a traffic stop. The driver reportedly confessed to being impaired, and a deputy smelled marijuana in the truck. The driver was arrested for various crimes including the Nevada crime of driving under the influence of drugs.

The Nevada crime of driving under the influence (DUID) of drugs is very similar to that for alcohol. It's a crime either to drive impaired from drugs or to drive with a BAC of certain drugs that exceeds state limits. A driver who's suspected of DUID may be pulled over and asked to perform various field sobriety tests such as walking in a straight line and standing on one leg. However suspected drugged drivers may not elect to take a breath test and are required to submit to a blood test.

Penalties for committing the Nevada crime of driving under the influence of drugs depend on the defendant's history and whether any injuries occurred. A first-time DUID is a misdemeanor as long as no one gets hurt, and the judge frequently imposes a suspended sentence instead of jail. But a first-time offense that results in substantial injury or death is prosecuted as a felony carrying imprisonment.

For more on this story go to: http://www.lasvegassun.com/news/2011/nov/06/nye-county-offices-confiscate-30-pounds-marijuana/

To learn how to get a Las Vegas DUI charge dismissed, watch our informational video:

A UNLV basketball star will be suspended for one game after entering a guilty plea to violating Nevada DUI Law. He was arrested this past May for allegedly driving while under the influence of marijuana. He was also ordered to attend DUI School, pay a fine, and perform community service.

Under Nevada DUI law it's illegal to drive under the influence of either alcohol or drugs. An officer who pulls over a driver for a traffic stop under suspicion of DUI may ask the driver various questions and ask that he/she submit to a preliminary breath test and to perform field sobriety tests, such as the walk-and-turn, one-legged-stand, and horizontal gaze nystagmus test. If the cop then arrests the driver, he/she will have to submit to a blood test or breath test. If the cop suspects the driver is under the influence of drugs, then the driver has to take a blood test.

The sentence for violating Nevada DUI Law always turns on whether the person had previous DUI convictions in the past seven years and if someone got seriously hurt or killed by the incident. A first or second DUI with no bad injuries is a misdemeanor, and the judge will often grant no jail or ten days in jail, respectively. But a third DUI in seven years or a DUI that results in substantial bodily harm or death is a felony, and the judge may order prison.

To learn more about this story, go to: http://www.fox5vegas.com/story/15525870/dui-plea-nets-rebels-stanback-1-game-suspension

To learn more about Nevada DUI penalties, watch our informational video:

Earlier this month a policeman from Hawaii was convicted of DUI and marijuana possession in Las Vegas. He and another Hawaii police officer were visiting Las Vegas last August for a softball tournament when they were arrested. The other officer already pleaded guilty to obstructing a police officer and in return had his marijuana charge dropped.

Nevada DUI Marijuana law makes it a crime to drive under the influence of marijuana. Even if you're driving safely, it's per se illegal to drive with 2 or more nanograms per milliliter of marijuana in your blood or 10 or more nanograms per milliliter of marijuana in your urine. It's also illegal per se to drive with 5 or more nanograms per milliliter of marijuana metabolite in your blood or 15 or more nanograms per milliliter of marijuana metabolite in your urine.

Standard penalties for violating Nevada DUI marijuana law are the same as those for drunk driving. A first time offense carries fines, up to six months in jail, DUI School, a Victims' Impact Panel, and a suspended driver's license. People charged with violating Nevada DUI Marijuana Law are also frequently charged for marijuana possession.

For more on this story, go to: http://www.starbulletin.com/news/20100513_Inquiry_continuing_into_2_HPD_officers_convicted_in_Vegas.html