I didn’t have a car insurance when I got into an accident due to drunk driving here in Paradise, Nevada. I was charged with DUI and was required to carry SR22. How long do I need to have the SR22 insurance once I have already reinstated my license?

Peter

Paradise, NV

In the state of Nevada, a proof of insurance known as the SR22 could be required for different period of time that depends upon the reason that you are mandated to carry this financial responsibility certificate. Since you didn’t have a car insurance when you got into an accident due to drunk driving in Paradise, Nevada, the Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) would require you to carry the SR22 insurance for three years. The three-year period begins when your driver’s license is already out of suspension or revocation.

Once you have filed the SR22 with your auto insurance company, you will not be notified by the DMV if the period of required coverage ends. You need to get in touch with the DMV directly to find out when the SR22 coverage ends. Your auto insurance provider would notify the DMV if you don’t maintain the SR22 insurance continuously during the required period of time.

I’ve been living in Las Vegas, Nevada for a long time and I have heard several cases about DUI and they say that alcohol can impair our judgment. How can the consumption of alcohol affect the judgment ability of a driver?

Rena

Las Vegas, NV

Operating or driving a motor vehicle would require continuous decision-making by the driver. But judgment abilities could be affected by even small amounts of alcohol, thus causing the driver to be under the influence. An example is that alcohol-impaired judgment could cause a driver to follow another vehicle too closely which provides an unsafe stopping distance. Alcohol-impaired judgment could also result in a driver taking risks or endangering others. If you notice a vehicle making an improper or unsafe lane changes, either frequently or abruptly, or with apparent disregard for other vehicles, there is a chance the driver’s judgment has been impaired by alcohol.

Similarly, impaired judgment could cause a driver to turn improperly. An example is that misjudgments about speed and the roadways of Las Vegas, Nevada could cause a driver to take a turn too fast, or to make sudden corrections during the maneuver. These corrections could appear to us as observers as jerky or sharp vehicle movements during the turn. Alcohol-impaired judgment could also affect the full range of driver behaviors. A research concluded that impaired drivers are less inhibited about making illegal turns than unimpaired drivers.

I don’t want my daughter to be convicted for her DUI charge in Sparks, Nevada but it is likely to happen. If in the most unfortunate happens that she’d be found out guilty, what are the penalties involved?

Carol

Sparks, NV

The State of Nevada DUI laws demand a variety of penalties for a person who will be convicted with drunk driving. These penalties include civil fines, criminal punishments and other consequences which depend upon the prior record and the details of the case. So, everything could only be summed up into this– DUI consequences are really intense and the penalties get even more severe for a second and each following DUI.

If your daughter will be convicted for her DUI charge in Sparks, Nevada, she could expect harsh penalties. These consequences include fines of $400 up to $1,000, jail time of 48 hours to six months, possible community service instead of jail time, DUI School, court costs of $70, chemical test fee of $60, possible substance abuse treatment, victim impact panel attendance and vehicle impoundment. If there is a prior DUI conviction in the last seven years, the consequences would be stricter.

Just to add to my knowledge on DUI, I need to know some things about blood alcohol testing to be ready just in case I get caught drunk driving in Nevada. What are the factors that can affect how quickly the blood alcohol level rises in the body?

Suzie

Spring Valley, NV

Here are some thoughts on blood alcohol testing to get you ready in case you get arrested for DUI in Spring Valley, Nevada (but I still hope you don’t). In using the blood alcohol test to measure the blood alcohol content (BAC) of a person who is suspected for DUI, there are actually a lot of factors which could affect how quickly the BAC level rises in the body. One factor is the number of alcoholic drinks per hour. As the person increases the number of drinks per hour, the blood alcohol steadily increases. Another factor would be the strength of alcohol or the proof or percentage in the drink.

The person’s weight is another factor that can affect how quickly the BAC rises. The more the person weighs, the more water is present in the body which dilutes the alcohol and lowers the BAC level. The person’s gender is one other factor because a woman’s body typically has less water and more fat than a man’s body. Alcohol doesn’t go into fat cells as well as other cells, so a woman tends to keep more alcohol in their blood than a man does. Also, the hormones of a woman could affect the breakdown of alcohol.

I know that after being arrested for drunk driving in Reno, Nevada, there are going to be two different cases that will be charged to me. Could you explain to me why there are going to be two separate DUI charges?

Mackenzie

Reno, NV

The two different drunk driving cases that can be charged to you after being arrested for DUI in Reno, Nevada are having blood alcohol content (BAC) that is more than the legal limit of 0.08% and the other one is having your ability to drive impaired. There could be several reasons for being charged with two separate offenses. One reason involves something that most of us have experienced ourselves: alcohol tolerance. There are actually two types of people when it comes to drinking alcohol. One is those who drink large quantities and can somehow still appear relatively sober and the other one is those who have one or two drinks and are, as they say, three sheets to the wind. Being charged with two different offenses allows people in both groups to be convicted of drunk driving.

A person who has high tolerance in alcohol may appear to be sober, and even pass field sobriety tests in spite of having a BAC that exceeds the legal limit. This person, in principle, would be guilty of the first offense, but not necessarily the second. On the opposite, a person may be unable to drive safely even with BAC below the legal limit would be guilty of the second offense but not the first.

I don’t know if I would take my DUI case in Carson City, Nevada seriously. What could be the biggest mistakes that I am likely to do after my drunk driving charge?

Stefano

Carson City, NV

You are already doing one of the biggest mistakes that you should not do after your DUI arrest in  Nevada, and that is not taking your DUI case seriously. Remember that DUI is a charge that would follow you for the rest of your life if you will be convicted. An example would be the additional charges on your car insurance alone may cost you thousands of dollars. Not only that but you would also likely face jail time, pay stiff fines, possibly lose your job or future job opportunities, do some community service, attend DUI school and alcohol treatment programs, etc., so you should definitely take your DUI case seriously.

Another mistake that you would most likely do is not to hire a DUI lawyer because DUI laws are complicated and you need competent representation. You should raise the right defenses at the right time or you would lose them. Keep in mind that memories fade, facts tend to disappear and witnesses vanish. Because of that, a winnable DUI case could quickly become a loser.

• Represent.

Most people who haven’t been to law school may be able to stand up for themselves person to person, but they don’t know what to do in a court room. A Nevada DWI lawyer knows how the court operates and knows the arguments which have won cases in the past, and so can use these for your own good. Experience works in your favor, and it’s worth spending the money on.

• Time saving.

You can spend hours and hours researching and reading about DWI law, or you can visit a lawyer and they can explain everything to you. Once things get underway, they (or their employees) can handle all of your paperwork and miscellaneous details.