Can My DUI/DWI Charges Be Reduced?

There is no question that a DUI conviction can change your life. It can affect your personal and professional reputation, hurt your chances of gaining specific employment opportunities, and impact your financial stability. However, depending on your situation, legal options may be available to reduce the charge to a reckless driving charge. Lesser offenses mean less severe penalties and may put you back on track to moving forward with your life.

At Adras & Altig, Attorneys at Law, our Las Vegas DUI defense attorneys craft comprehensive and strategic legal solutions to help you beat or reduce the charges against you, seeking the most favorable outcome possible for your situation.

Contact our office immediately for a confidential legal consultation if you’ve been arrested or charged with a DUI in Las Vegas. We are ready to protect your rights and fight for you.

Understanding DUI vs. Reckless Driving in Nevada

How does Nevada differentiate between driving under the influence and reckless driving? Driving under the influence is defined under Nevada law as operating a vehicle with a blood alcohol concentration of .08 percent or higher. It can also mean operating a vehicle while under the influence of drugs or alcohol to the degree that the individual cannot safely operate the vehicle.

Reckless driving is a separate offense that involves driving a vehicle with willful or wanton disregard for the safety of others or with disregard for property. Reckless driving encompasses many behaviors, such as excessive speeding, ignoring traffic signs and signals, or aggressive driving and road rage incidents.

The penalties for DUI and reckless driving are also different. A DUI conviction can result in jail or prison time, significant fines, installation of an ignition interlock device, and the suspension or revocation of an individual’s driver’s license. Reckless driving tends to be a lesser offense in most cases and carries penalties such as lesser fines and jail time. A first offense typically does not trigger a license revocation.

When Can a DUI Be Reduced to Reckless Driving?

A Las Vegas DUI defense attorney can help you figure out if you can get a DUI reduced to a reckless driving charge. The odds of getting a DUI dropped or reduced to reckless driving increase when you have a knowledgeable and resourceful attorney advocating for you.

Nevada law only allows prosecutors to reduce or drop DUI charges when there is no probable cause to support the DUI charge or there is insufficient evidence to prove DUI beyond a reasonable doubt. It is challenging to get DUI charges reduced or dropped without the help of an attorney. An experienced DUI defense lawyer understands how to build a strategic defense that weakens the prosecution’s case to the point where Nevada law allows the charges against you to be dropped or reduced to reckless driving.

Some of the tactics that may get a DUI charge reduced to reckless driving include:

• Law enforcement lacked probable cause to pull the individual over
• Field sobriety tests were not administered correctly by law enforcement
• The breathalyzer equipment was not calibrated correctly
• Blood or urine test samples were mishandled or contaminated
• Medication or a medical condition resulted in inaccurate test results

A skilled defense attorney can investigate your situation and uncover legal issues that may help get the charges against you reduced or dropped. An attorney can also help negotiate a plea bargain for a DUI, resulting in lesser penalties.

Benefits of a Reduced Charge to Reckless Driving

There are significant benefits to reducing a DUI charge to a reckless driving charge. First and foremost, reckless driving charges tend to carry lesser penalties than DUI, meaning the possibility of less time in jail, less costly fines, and you can keep your driver’s license.

Another benefit of reducing a DUI to reckless driving has to do with the stigma associated with DUI. Generally, most employers do not view reckless driving with the same stigma and bias as they do a DUI conviction. An employer may be less likely to pass over an individual with a reckless driving record as opposed to someone with a DUI conviction on their criminal record.

Individuals with reckless driving convictions can also seal their criminal records more quickly than those with DUIs. In Nevada, a misdemeanor DUI conviction can only be sealed seven years after the case closes. Felony DUI convictions can never be sealed. However, an individual can take steps to seal a misdemeanor reckless driving conviction one year after their case closes.

Steps to Take if You’ve Been Charged with a DUI in Las Vegas

A DUI arrest can be a frightening and overwhelming experience. However, remaining calm and knowing your legal rights are the best ways to protect yourself. If you get charged with a DUI in Las Vegas, take the following proactive steps:

• Exercise your right to remain silent and not speak with law enforcement
• Do not admit guilt
• Ask to speak to an attorney
• Consult an experienced Las Vegas DUI defense attorney immediately
• Avoid posting on social media, and do not discuss your situation with anyone

Let your attorney do the work for you, and follow your lawyer’s instructions.

Why Choose Our Las Vegas DUI Defense Attorneys?

A DUI conviction in Las Vegas can turn your world upside down. From the moment of your arrest, law enforcement and prosecutors are working together to build a case against you. The best way to protect yourself and fight back is with the help of an experienced Las Vegas DUI attorney who understands what you are up against.

At Adras & Altig, Attorneys at Law, we believe everyone deserves a fresh start. We take the time to get to know you and your unique situation before crafting a personalized defense strategy and fighting for the most favorable outcome possible. The people we work with deserve respect, compassion, and hope, not judgment or lectures, during this challenging time.

Contact Our Nevada DUI Defense Lawyers for Help

The Las Vegas DUI defense attorneys with Adras & Altig, Attorneys at Law, are ready to fight for you. Contact our office today and arrange a confidential legal consultation to discuss the specifics of your case. Our commitment to you goes beyond your DUI case. We want to offer you the help and resources you need to change your life.