Laura Kuhl is a content editor, writer and social media manager with ten years of experience in the legal, finance, and insurance fields. She started her career as a movie review writer in Wilmington, NC, after earning her M.A. at the University of North Carolina at Wilmington. She is a featured legal and business writer on Free Advice and PotNetwork News.
Laura Kuhl
Laura Kuhl is a content editor, writer and social media manager with ten years of experience in the legal, finance, and insurance fields. She started her career as a movie review writer in Wilmington, NC, after earning her M.A. at the University of North Carolina at Wilmington. She is a featured legal and business writer on Free Advice and PotNetwork News.
Jeffrey Johnson has written novels and movies in addition to legal analyses of eminent domain and immigration law. His experience in writing engaging fiction makes him uniquely capable of making the most dry and academic legal topics interesting (or as interesting as possible).
Reviewed
Jeffrey Johnson, J.D.
Jeffrey Johnson has written novels and movies in addition to legal analyses of eminent domain and immigration law. His experience in writing engaging fiction makes him uniquely capable of making the most dry and academic legal topics interesting (or as interesting as possible).
Editorial Note: We earn a commission from partner links on Forbes Advisor. Commissions do not affect our editors' opinions or evaluations.
Everything that happens in Vegas doesn’t always stay here. If caught driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol, visitors unfamiliar with Vegas DUI laws may find themselves out of luck. You face steep fines and possible jail time.
Getting a DUI in Las Vegas has serious consequences that can impact your ability to find a job and car insurance. Hire a DUI lawyer immediately to increase your chances of having your charges reduced or dismissed.
Use this list of the best DUI lawyers in Las Vegas based on reputation, reviews and their experience guiding clients through a DUI from arrest to final resolution to find an affordable defense attorney for your case.
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Best DUI Attorneys in Las Vegas, NV
Compare Top DUI Attorneys
Getting a DUI in Las Vegas
Drivers with a blood alcohol concentration (BAC) of 0.08% are guilty of driving under the influence in Las Vegas. If your BAC is more than 0.18%, you must attend a drug and alcohol treatment program.
Police can arrest you for DUI within two hours of driving if your BAC is still over 0.08%. This is known as a “per se DUI” or the “two-hour rule” in Nevada.
We discuss more DUI laws below, but an attorney can help you better understand how each applies to your case and impacts the kind of defense you can use to help reduce or drop DUI charges.
Nevada DUI Laws
The look-back period for a DUI in Nevada is seven years—meaning that your DUI offenses from the past seven years are considered when determining whether this is your first, second or third offense.
The first two offenses are considered misdemeanors, but three or more are automatically considered felonies regardless of how much time has passed. Any DUI resulting in injury or death carries a mandatory jail sentence of at least two years.
- First DUI Offense. Minimum of two or up to 180 days in jail and between $400 to $1,000 in fines.
- Second DUI Offense. Minimum of 10 or up to 180 days in jail and between $750 to $1,000 in fines.
- Third DUI Offense. Minimum of one or up to six years in prison and between $2,000 to $5,000 in fines.
Drivers lose their licenses for up to 185 days after a first DUI (three years after a third) and must also install an ignition interlock device (IID).
DUI Defense Options
Prosecutors must prove drivers were both under the influence and in “actual physical control” of the vehicle. “Actual physical control” is not just driving a car but refers to being in the driver’s seat, having the keys in the ignition, and more.
For example, if you were drunk and asleep in the backseat at the time of arrest, you would not be in physical control of the vehicle.
Other common DUI defense options often challenge the legality of the stop or the BAC test results. A DUI lawyer in Las Vegas understands these laws and can use Nevada’s “sleeping-it-off” or illegal stop defenses to have your charges dropped or reduced.
How Can a DUI Attorney Help You?
The best DUI lawyers in Las Vegas will start helping you immediately. For instance, they can request an administrative hearing with the DMV for a temporary license so you can continue driving to work while awaiting trial.
If you have multiple DUI charges, a Las Vegas DUI attorney can share alcohol and drug treatment resources and use any progress you’ve made to help reduce jail time, fines or driving restrictions. They will also know which defense options apply to your case and may even have your charges dropped or dismissed without you ever appearing in court.
How to Find the Best DUI Lawyer in Las Vegas, NV
Facing DUI charges can be very stressful, but you have options. Our list of the 10 best DUI lawyers in Las Vegas includes firms that have spent decades defending local drivers and tourists facing DUI charges.
These are the top three characteristics that will help you find the right DUI lawyer:
- Expertise and extensive DUI training. Work with lawyers who received specialized training from places like the National College for DUI Defense.
- Courtroom and hearing experience. Look for attorneys who have experience representing clients in front of the DMV, judges, and juries.
- Free consultations. Speak with attorneys who offer free 30 or 60-minute consultations to discuss your case, build rapport, and see how well you work together.
You can also ask family and friends if they’ve worked with a lawyer on our list before or can recommend someone else who can provide the best defense possible for your case.
Methodology
To come up with the best DUI lawyers in Las Vegas Forbes Advisor considered many factors. Forbes Advisor’s mathematical analysis considers and weighs the information collected to calculate a specific rating and reviews these results to find the best attorneys in a given practice area.
Within the model, we take into account factors that legal professionals and consumers value in an attorney’s qualifications. After assigning weighted scores to hundreds of data points, we narrowed the field down to our top choices based on:
- Legal experience
- Special licenses & certifications
- Ethics and bar disciplinary measures
- Legal thought leadership
- Education and employment background
- Scholarly lectures and writings
- Awards and honors
Forbes Advisor collects public data from a variety of sources, including state bar associations, court records and other published sources on the internet. This information should not be considered comprehensive, however. It might not include additional relevant information on an attorney’s legal skills and experience.
Each lawyer listed here has their own merits. Bear in mind that our list relates to these lawyers’ legal backgrounds, but does not evaluate their personalities or their knowledge of the law. One attorney may be more suitable than another for your specific legal situation.
One thing that can’t be quantified, though, is the rapport you establish with your attorney. Personality goes a long way when teaming up with an attorney, especially when going through a potentially difficult legal situation. These rankings should serve as a reference and potential starting point in your search for the right lawyer for you and your legal concerns.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What is the penalty for a DUI in Las Vegas?
DUI penalties in Las Vegas include jail time, expensive fines, license revocation and community service. Two or more DUIs come with stricter penalties, and drivers may be ordered to attend Victim Impact Panels.
What happens after your first DUI in Las Vegas?
You will be booked at the local police station after being charged with a DUI for the first time. You will lose your driver’s license but can request an administrative hearing with the DMV for a temporary one. If you are convicted of a DUI, a first offense comes with up to 180 days in jail and between $400 to $1,000 in fines.
What is the two-hour rule for DUI in Nevada?
The two-hour rule for DUIs in Nevada refers to “per se” DUI law. This law allows officers to arrest a driver for DUI if their BAC is 0.08% or higher within two hours of when they last drove.
