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The Consequences of a DUI on Nevada Insurance Rates

admin — Tue, 20 Jul 2010 13:45:15 +0000

While Nevada is not greatly known for its tourist population Las Vegas does, in fact, attract hundreds of thousands of visitors to this great state every year. Whether they are attempting to make their fortune in the casinos or expand their education at one of the show rooms each and every one of these visitors is looking to have a good time.

Unfortunately, they often find themselves having a bit too good of a time. Every establishment on the Las Vegas strip serves alcohol to its patrons that are over the age of twenty one, and there are many that take this as an excuse to imbibe far too freely before attempting to drive themselves home. Hundreds of DUIs occur in Las Vegas every year as drivers are too careless to think to the consequences.

What are the consequences of a DUI? There are some obvious ones. Drivers under the influence of alcohol have slower reaction times and consequently are more likely to be responsible for accidents which result in bodily harm to themselves and the other parties involved. This also results in damage, sometimes irreparable, to their vehicles and the property around them. In addition, everyone who is found guilty of driving under the influence in the state of Nevada will find themselves facing fines in excess of three hundred dollars, jail time or community service and loss of driving privileges.

All things considered being found guilty of a DUI in Nevada is an expensive proposition. These consequences are generally not as far reaching as the effect that being found guilty of a DUI will have on a person's insurance rates. As with a traffic accident or speeding ticket an individual who is found guilty of a DUI can expect their insurance rates to increase exponentially and stay that way for years. If this is not a first offense drivers may find themselves dropped by their insurance company altogether and forced to obtain high risk insurance, an undertaking that can be more expensive than attempting to purchase a new automobile. As every state requires that drivers carry at least some form of insurance, simply going without is not an option if a driver wishes to continue to operate their vehicle legally.

Driving under the influence is a much more expensive proposition than simply buying the drinks and the gas to get home. Prior to taking part of the delights of the Las Vegas strip visitors should carefully consider how they are going to get themselves back home. It is not a crime to drink alcohol, simply to operate a vehicle after the fact. Anyone who chooses to enjoy all the city has to offer should have a back-up plan for the end of the evening that does not involve them getting behind the wheel of a car.

Continue Reading >> The Consequences of a DUI on Nevada Insurance Rates.

The Downside to Becoming a Drinking, Gambling Fool When Visiting Las Vegas

admin — Wed, 23 Jun 2010 02:09:05 +0000

Visitors travel to Las Vegas for a multitude of reasons. Some are simply looking to enjoy their vacation while others are looking to make their fortune on a quick roll of the dice. Whatever their reason for arriving within a matter of hours almost everyone has been drawn into the flamboyant atmosphere that is Las Vegas.

While this flamboyance certainly makes for a memorable vacation, it can also result in disastrous consequences. Take a look at the gaming tables that can be found in a casino at some point when you are not attempting to spend as much of your money as possible. How often does the player actually defeat the dealer? The answer to this is almost never unless the dealer chooses to allow them to. It is all but impossible to beat the house at their own game. The individuals who are dealing the cards have been playing the game for years and know every trick in the book. The same can be said of the slot machines, although there is certainly not a little person sitting inside turning the dials to prevent the player from winning. The simple truth of the matter is that any means of gambling is precisely that: gambling. There is no possible way to ensure that a player will win their money back without first losing every penny that they have to their name. As a result it is important to not take into casino anymore money than you can afford to lose and never to allow yourselves to spend more than you have in your pocket. Resist the urge to use that Visa card to go buy more chips. This will require self-discipline, but you can do it.

The individuals who own and operate these casinos are clever. They are not going to stop at having high games of chance and experienced dealers to relieve you of your money. They are also going to attempt to ply you with alcohol to make you believe that your chances of winning are much greater than they actually are. The disastrous consequences of this extreme alcohol intake are twofold; you will be parted from much greater quantity of money than you had originally intended and you may find yourself faced with charges of driving under the influence as you attempt to find your way back home (wherever home is for the night). The consequences of driving under the influence in Nevada are severe. Even first time offenders will find themselves facing huge fines, jail terms and suspended licenses.

All in all, the consequences of becoming a gambling drunkard when visiting Las Vegas are not worth the momentary pleasures. It is best to find more moderate means of entertainment when visiting Sin City.

Continue Reading >> The Downside to Becoming a Drinking, Gambling Fool When Visiting Las Vegas.

How Much Harm Could One Martini Cause?

admin — Wed, 26 May 2010 13:44:27 +0000

Everyone who has ever drawn breath in the United States is aware of Las Vegas's reputation as one of the greatest cities in the country for those individuals looking to have a memorable experience. A person has only to stand on a city street and look around to see casinos, restaurants and showplaces as far as the eye can see.

All of these facilities have one purpose and one purpose only; to provide their patrons with the most memorable experience of their life. Inside each a person can find food, drink and entertainment to sustain them for as long as they choose to stay. While it is the gambling that often gets these patrons in trouble while they are visiting the facility it is the drink that will exact a toll on them later on. While these facilities remembered to provide alcohol to further their patron's enjoyment many of them did not think to provide these patrons with an alternate means by which to return home. As a result, every evening hundreds of people get behind the wheel of their car and drive home after an evening's entertainment.

While the question, "How much harm could one martini cause?" pops up again and again in these situations, the truth of the matter is that people who are looking to pass their evening in the gaming halls of Las Vegas very rarely stop at one. One become three and three becomes five until they have imbibed just enough alcohol to convince themselves they can drive home without concern and not quite enough to realize that they have had too much. Even those that do stop at one may still have had too much; an individual's ability to drink alcohol and walk away unscathed is determined by their height, weight and food consumption that day. A young woman who is only 5'2", 100 lbs. and has slept the day away without rising to eat may find herself done in by one potent drink.

After consuming this alcohol and getting into their vehicle these men and women are then a danger to themselves and those around them because they are driving under the influence. Driving under the influence means that they are driving with a blood alcohol level of greater than .08 and are suffering from impaired reflexes. These impaired reflexes put them at a greater risk of being responsible for an accident and causing injury to themselves and the people and property around them. Even if they do not cause an injury being caught driving under the influence carries with it strict penalties, particularly in Las Vegas. These individuals may find themselves without a driver's license and facing hundreds or thousands of dollars in fines. They may possibly even be forced to spend part of their precious vacation looking at life from the inside of a prison cell. How much damage can one martini cause? Quite a bit.

Continue Reading >> How Much Harm Could One Martini Cause?.

What Does it Mean to be Driving Under the Influence in Las Vegas?

admin — Thu, 29 Apr 2010 01:48:25 +0000

The news is filled with individuals who have been caught driving under the influence and are now paying the piper for their indulgence. Not everyone knows precisely what it means to be driving under the influence, however; this is one point on which the newsmen are generally failry unclear.

Driving under the influence means that you have been caught driving with a BAC of greater that .08% What is a BAC? BAC in an individual's blood alcohol content, or the percentage of their blood that is alcohol. This is determined by use of either a breathalyzer test or a blood test. A breathalyzer is a device which will determine the alcohol content of a driver's breath and use this to calculate the alcohol content of the individual's blood. (A driver's breath generally contains 1/2300 of the alcohol that is found in an individual's blood). This allows an officer to ascertain whether an individual has imbibed what may be considered an excessive amount of alcohol prior to getting behind the wheel of a car without having a waiting period.

Another method of determining a driver's blood alcohol content is to ask them to submit a blood test. This will require the individual to have their blood drawn by a medical professional in the presence of an officer of the court to have it tested for alcohol. This is generally a more lengthy procedure, and because of the time that must inevitably elapse before an individual's blood can be drawn this is much less accurate when determining the level of alcohol the driver had in their system when they were actually operating a vehicle. For this reason a breathalyzer will almost inevitably be the method used to determine whether a driver is fit to operate a vehicle.

Why .08%? Alcohol is a depressant, which is why so many people use it in an attempt to "relax and unwind". What this also means is that an increased amount of alcohol in a person's system will greatly slow down their reaction times. While this is not a big deal when the individual is sitting at home it can be fatal if they are behind the wheel of a car on a busy highway. As a result, professionals have determined that a BAC of .08% is the maximum amount at which an individual's response times are considered normal enough that they are safe behind the wheel of a car.

Driving under the influence means that an individual is not able to safely operate a vehicle, and may be a hazard to themselves and those around them. For this reason the legal system is particularly hard on those they consider to have broken their laws with regard to alcohol consumption.

Continue Reading >> What Does it Mean to be Driving Under the Influence in Las Vegas?.

Why NOT to Drive Under the Influence in Las Vegas

admin — Thu, 01 Apr 2010 13:43:40 +0000

Sin City. The gambling capital of the world, and the name bandied about by millions of men, women and children when discussing where they want to spend their vacation. The potential to make a fortune on a roll of the dice draws people from all over the world to Las Vegas's city streets in search of a good time. It is most unfortunate that not all of these people are possessed of a great deal of common sense. Almost any establishment with the city's borders is going to serve alcohol to its patrons in an attempt to enrich their experience. They do not, however, all provide said patrons with a means to return to their homes or motels afterwards. As a result, every night there are hundreds of individuals who set down their glasses, pick up their keys and step into their cars.

The hazards of driving while under the influence are not unknown to drivers. Lectures on the potential dangers of driving after having consumed alcohol are taught from elementary school on. Alcohol slows down an individual's response times, causing them to be more likely to find themselves responsible for an accident which results in harm to the vehicle and person of another driver. In a city where traffic is generally bumper to bumper and people drive like maniacs this can be a certain recipe for disaster. Think for a moment on the quickly rising costs of healthcare and auto repair. Chances are no one would take a baseball bat to their own car. Why would they willingly take it onto the streets when there was an increased chance that it would find itself at the bottom of a pile of twisted scrap metal.

In addition to the possible financial repercussions and loss of life, which should not be decreased by any means, ponder for a moment on the consequences of an individual finding themselves miles from home with no money, no car and no driver's license. These are the repercussions faced by almost all of the individuals who go to Las Vegas, spend a night indulging in gambling and alcohol, then decide to drive themselves home. After being stopped by the police their license is suspended, their car is impounded and they must decide which of their relatives they are then going to appeal to in an attempt to find their way home. After returning home they must contact an attorney, who will appear with them in a court of law, at which point it will be determined that they must spend the next six years of their life looking at the back of a prison cell.

While these consequences are not universal, and are dependent solely on an individual's circumstances, almost every case of driving under the influence results in some sort of license suspension, fine and jail time. It just isn't worth it.

Continue Reading >> Why NOT to Drive Under the Influence in Las Vegas.

The Laws Pertaining to Driving under the Influence When in Las Vegas

admin — Fri, 05 Mar 2010 02:14:48 +0000

Every state has its own rules when it comes to the consequences to be suffered for driving under the influence. Unfortunately, due to Las Vegas's popularity as a tourist site there are many who travel to this location, imbibe too freely in the vast variety of alcohol that is made available to them by various establishments and then choose to get behind the wheels of their cars and return to their various houses and hotels.

More last night placated out in the middle of the desert with no surrounding buildings and no traffic on its roads this would not be as potentially harmful as it is. As this is not the case, however, the various officers charged with enforcing Nevada laws are very diligent in sniffing out those individuals who have chosen to disregard these laws and place the lives of themselves and those around them in jeopardy.

The consequences of drinking and driving in Nevada vary according to the severity of the case and the number of times a driver has been guilty of driving under the influence. For a first-time offender these consequences are nothing more than a slap on the wrist when compared to what will occur later on. A first offender will find their license confiscated and replaced by a temporary, seven-day license which they may continue to drive on while they challenge the charge of driving under the influence. If they are found guilty of driving under the influence in a court of law the license will be suspended for 90 days, with the possibility of a restricted license being issued after 45. On a restricted license a driver may drive back and forth to their place of employment and perform any driving related duties associated with their job. They will also be fined to the tune of at least $400, be required to attend classes at a driving educational facility and face either two days to six months of jail time or 96 hours of community service, depending upon the whim of the judge.

Repeat offenses carry a much stiffer punishment. Upon the second offense in seven years a driver will find themselves with a license suspension of at least one year with no hope for obtaining a restricted license. They will also be fined an amount of at least $750, will almost certainly face jail time and may be required to attend a substance abuse program. A third offense will result in a license suspension of up to three years the possibility of restricted license, fines of at least $1000 and a lengthy prison sentence which they may be able to have reduced in light of good behavior.

Should a driver he determines to be driving under the influence and cause an accident which results in injury or death to another party their crime will be considered a felony and they will be facing a stay in the state prison system. These are very stiff fines to pay for an evening of entertainment, and anyone taking the time to consider them carefully will determine that it is simply not worth it.

Continue Reading >> The Laws Pertaining to Driving under the Influence When in Las Vegas.

How Will an Officer Determine if You are Driving Under the Influence in Las Vegas?

admin — Fri, 05 Feb 2010 14:17:09 +0000

Driving under the influence is both dangerous and foolhardy, due to alcohol's negative effects on the body. The legal system is well aware of the possible consequences associated with driving after having consumed alcohol, and as such is very hard on those who chose to do so.

As Las Vegas is one of the greatest tourist attractions in the United States it stands to logic that it would have some of the greatest consequences for those who choose to violate its laws. Chances are good that if you are stopped due to an officer suspecting you of driving under the influence you have either been driving in an erratic manner or have found yourself in the middle of a police roadblock. The officer will ask you some questions regarding your activities and alcohol consumption that evening and ask to see your license and registration. You will probably then be asked to perform a series of sobriety tests, such as walking a straight line or reciting the alphabet backwards (a word of caution: informing the officer that these are tasks you cannot do while sober will not help your case any!) If the officer then feels that it is necessary you will be asked to perform either a breathalyzer or blood test.

A breathalyzer is a device that allows the officer to determine the alcohol content of a person's breath, then use that figure to determine the concentration that is found in the suspect's blood (the concentration of alcohol in a person's breath after drinking is approximately 1/2300 of the concentration in the blood). Results of a breathalyzer are immediate, and the officer will then be able to determine if the suspect will be allowed to go free or if they will be subject to a license revocation.

A BAC (blood alcohol concentration) that is determined directly from the blood will require the suspect to submit a sample of venous blood that will be drawn by a phlebotomist in the presence of an officer. Blood tests will be performed at the police station or in another medical facility in the presence of an officer of the court, and determination on license suspension will be withheld until these results are back. It is necessary that the prosecutor determine precisely what your blood alcohol content was at the time you were actually operating a vehicle.

If after completing these procedures you are found to have had a blood alcohol level of greater than .08% the Nevada DMV will suspend your license, and further steps will be taken.

Continue Reading >> How Will an Officer Determine if You are Driving Under the Influence in Las Vegas?.

How to Avoid Jail Time if You are Caught Driving Under the Influence in Las Vegas

admin — Sat, 09 Jan 2010 02:01:59 +0000

Driving under the influence is a very serious offense, and one that is not taken lightly anywhere in the United States. There are some factors that will be considered, however, when determining what the consequences for driving under the influence will be.

In Nevada, a license suspension is almost impossible to avoid (although if you hold a driver's license that was issued in a different state the Nevada DMV cannot take your license. They will instead suspend your rights to drive in the state of Nevada). The moment the officer ascertains that you are driving under the influence they will take your permanent license and issue you a temporary one that will be good for only seven days. Over the course of that seven days your attorney must appeal the decision and request an administrative hearing. This hearing will decide whether the suspension will be revoked or if it is a permanent one.

Driving under the influence also carries with it a possible jail sentence, particularly if this is not your first offense. A good attorney with an in depth knowledge of the Nevada legal system will be your best friend when attempting to avoid an extended prison sentence. There are many alternatives to a jail sentence, such as community service and probation, and while these are more readily available to a first time offender it is possible that with a good attorney a second time offender may be able to take advantage of these. Be forewarned, per Nevada state law a third DUI offense is considered a felony punishable by a stay in the state prison system.

It is also important to be familiar with proper protocol when an officer stops and tests a person whom they suspect to be driving under the influence. There have been many criminals who have returned to the streets due to an officer not following proper procedures. Did the officer inform you that you have a right to have an attorney present when you take your breathalyzer or blood test? Were you informed that it is your right to not take a blood or breathalyzer test? A good attorney should be familiar with these proceedings, and will probably question you extensively as to the officer's actions. Do not leave anything out; this could be the most important building block in your case for freedom.

If you find that you are unable to avoid jail time altogether take a look at the options available. In some cases a judge will allow you to break up your sentence into several smaller ones in order to allow you to continue your employment. If this is not a possibility, remember that the legal system rewards good behavior. Chances are good a date for a parole hearing will be set, at which time the judge will evaluate your actions since you arrived at the facility and determine whether you are eligible for early release. Keeping your nose clean until this time will greatly increase your chances of being able to walk out of there a free man (or woman) prior to having completed your full sentence.

Continue Reading >> How to Avoid Jail Time if You are Caught Driving Under the Influence in Las Vegas.

What Will Happen If You Are Caught Driving Under the Influence In Las Vegas?

admin — Sat, 12 Dec 2009 13:52:40 +0000

(A Guide for First Time Offenders)

Las Vegas is one of the greatest tourist attractions in the United States, and this reputation was not earned due to its sedate entertainment. With its many casinos, bars and other entertainment emporiums it is a magnetic attraction for those who like to have a good time. Unfortunately, this "good time" often involves excessive consumption of alcohol. While everyone is aware of the hazards of driving after consuming alcohol not everyone chooses to heed these warnings. Every year there are numerous individuals who are caught driving under the influence in Sin City.

There are many methods by which an officer may determine that an individual is driving after having consumed excessive quantities of alcohol. These include roadblocks, suspect behavior (erratic driving, inability to stay in a lane, reckless driving, etc.) or viewing an individual obviously under the influence getting into a vehicle and driving away. It is important that the officer determine that you were actually driving under the influence; they cannot cite you for it if you are simply seated in an immobile vehicle. If you are suspected of driving under the influence you will be asked to participate in either a blood or breathalyzer test in order to determine your blood alcohol content. A blood alcohol content of greater than .08% is considered to be "under the influence".

Once the officer has determined that you were, in fact, driving under the influence your license will be confiscated and you will be issued a seven day, temporary license. This allows you to contest the officer's accusation that you have committed a crime. It is important that the moment you are accused of driving under the influence you contact a good defense attorney, preferably one with experience in alcohol-related driving offenses. There is nothing to lose from requesting that a hearing take place to determine the suspension of your license; at worst the license will be suspended for the full ninety days (if you are a first time offender), and in the best case scenario the judge will rule that you are not subject to license suspension. Once a license has been suspended the driver may request that a restricted license be issued after the first forty five days that will allow the suspect to drive to and from work. Following the ninety day term the driver will have to appear before the DMV and request a new license, paying all associated fees.

Keep in mind that the consequences of a first time DUI are vastly different if the consequences included injury or death to another individual. At this point it becomes a felony offense, punishable by an extended stay in a state prison facility.

Continue Reading >> What Will Happen If You Are Caught Driving Under the Influence In Las Vegas?.

Over the River and through the Woods-Driving down the Lost Vegas Strip under the Influence of Alcohol

admin — Sun, 15 Nov 2009 01:34:58 +0000

Las Vegas is one of the largest cities in the world and generally has the traffic congestion to prove it. Under the best of circumstances it is almost impossible to drive down the Las Vegas stretch; most people choose to waive this pleasure in favor of footing it or taking public transportation. Many of those individuals who do not choose to make their residence within the city, however, may not realize the advantages of these alternate methods of transportation and will instead choose to bring their vehicles with them.

While this seems like a good idea there are some definite drawbacks. Along with the inevitable problem of attempting to pull out and drive through the massive crowd of traffic attempting to fight its way along on the streets at any given time in an attempt to get to their desired location, drivers must also find methods to resist the temptation of the alcohols that are stared in the various entertainment establishments along the strip. Las Vegas is not for those individuals who have not yet reached the majority (the agent of 21). Almost any place that people will go to spend money for an evening of entertainment will make available to them a myriad of different types of alcohol. By the time an individual is finished expanding their education as to the different types of alcohol across the world it is entirely possible that they will be too foxed to drive themselves home.

This presents an entirely new experience for those who have not had the pleasure of negotiating a rocket ship through a field of asteroids while at the same time attempting to slurp gummy worms up their nose. Approximately the same level of coordination is required, and an individual who has partaken to freely of the cocktails of the evening will not be able to do it. They will find themselves involved in an automobile accident, which will lead to them being charged with driving under the influence, losing their license for a specified period of time (this period of time will be decided by an officer of the court when the case is brought before them) and paying fines in the triple digits. In addition, they will find themselves having to pay an attorney for their services and possibly even a jail sentence. Nevada has no sympathy for those who choose to disregard its traffic laws, and those individuals who are foolish enough to think that they can beat the system are often quickly apprised otherwise.

Continue Reading >> Over the River and through the Woods-Driving down the Lost Vegas Strip under the Influence of Alcohol.