What Happens if I Get a 4th DUI in Nevada?
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What Happens if I Get a 4th DUI in Nevada?
You’re likely feeling overwhelmed, anxious, and scared about your future. Getting charged with a 4th DUI offense in Nevada is an extremely serious situation that can have life-altering consequences. But don’t lose hope. With the help of our skilled DUI attorneys at Spodek Law Group, we may be able to get your charges reduced or even dismissed.
Understanding 4th DUI Penalties in Nevada
First, let’s review the severe potential penalties you face for a 4th drunk driving conviction in Nevada:
- Category B felony charge
- 2 to 15 years in Nevada State Prison
- $2,000 to $5,000 in fines
- 3-year driver’s license revocation after release from prison
- No chance of probation instead of prison
Yes, you read that right – a 4th DUI is an automatic felony in Nevada that carries mandatory prison time. The judge cannot grant probation, even if your drunk driving incident did not cause any injuries. And it doesn’t matter if your prior DUIs happened in another state or how long ago they occurred. Once you have a felony DUI conviction on your record in Nevada, any subsequent drunk driving offense will be charged as a felony.The exact length of your prison sentence will depend on the specifics of your case. Judges tend to impose harsher sentences on the higher end of that 2-15 year range if there are aggravating factors like:
- You had a very high BAC level
- You were speeding excessively or driving recklessly
- You had a child passenger in the car
- You tried to flee from police
So in the worst case scenario, you could be facing up to 15 years behind bars for a 4th DUI in Nevada. Plus heavy fines and a 3-year driver’s license suspension when you get out. The stakes could not be higher.
DUI Causing Injury or Death
If your alleged drunk driving incident resulted in injuries to another person, you’ll likely be charged under Nevada’s “DUI causing injury” law. This is a category B felony regardless of how many prior DUIs you have. It carries 2 to 20 years in prison and $2,000-$5,000 in fines, plus a 3-year license revocation.And if someone died in the crash? That would be prosecuted as vehicular homicide, a category A felony, since you have 3 prior DUI convictions. Penalties include 25 years to life in prison, with parole eligibility only after 10 years.These are scary, life-destroying consequences. But you can’t give up hope, because you may have valid defense options…
Defenses to Fight a 4th DUI Charge
Our battle-tested DUI defense lawyers have a deep toolbox of strategies to potentially get your 4th DUI charges reduced or dismissed. Every case is unique, but some common defenses we explore include:
- The initial traffic stop was illegal because police lacked reasonable suspicion
- Field sobriety tests were improperly administered
- Breathalyzer equipment was faulty or not calibrated correctly
- Blood testing procedures were flawed
- Rising blood alcohol level – you were below the limit while driving
- Medical conditions caused a falsely high BAC reading
- Police misconduct, such as coercing a confession
We’ll scour every detail of the prosecution’s case against you to find weaknesses we can attack. If critical evidence can be suppressed or we can cast doubt on the reliability of the test results, we may be able to persuade the prosecutor to drop or reduce your charges in a plea deal. The key is to act quickly and hire an experienced attorney to start building your defense.
Will I Be Deported for a 4th DUI?
If you’re not a U.S. citizen, a felony DUI conviction can have devastating immigration consequences, including deportation. That’s because DUI is considered a “crime of moral turpitude” under immigration law. So if you’re an immigrant charged with a 4th DUI, you absolutely need an attorney who understands how to defend you in both criminal and immigration court.At Spodek Law Group, we have extensive experience protecting non-citizen clients from deportation in DUI cases. We’ll explore every possible option to help you avoid a conviction that could jeopardize your legal status.
How Long Until I Can Seal a 4th DUI?
In general, you have to wait at least 7 years after the case closes to petition for record sealing of a DUI conviction in Nevada. But some felony DUI offenses may never be sealable, including vehicular homicide or DUI causing substantial bodily harm.Our attorneys can advise you on whether you’re eligible for record sealing and help you through the process when the time comes. A sealed record can help you move forward with your life after a DUI conviction.
Why Trust Spodek Law Group
We know you have a lot of options when it comes to choosing a DUI defense lawyer. Here are a few reasons why we believe we’re the best choice:
- Unparalleled experience – Our attorneys have decades of experience defending clients against DUI charges in Nevada. We know the system inside and out.
- Personalized attention – We limit our caseload so we can provide the one-on-one attention you deserve. You’ll work directly with your attorney, not a paralegal or junior associate.
- Aggressive defense – We never back down from a fight. We’ll explore every possible angle to build the strongest defense and secure the best outcome.
- Accessibility – We’re here for you 24/7. We promptly return calls and emails, and we’ll keep you fully updated on your case.
Don’t gamble with your future. If you’re facing a 4th DUI charge in Nevada, you need the heavyweight champions in your corner. Contact us today for a free and confidential consultation. Call 212-300-5196 or visit https://www.federallawyers.com. Let us fight for your rights and freedom.