Two Parallel Processes Begin the Moment You Are Arrested for DUI in Nevada
A DUI arrest in Las Vegas triggers not one but two separate legal proceedings simultaneously. The first is the criminal case, handled by the Clark County District Attorney’s office or the Las Vegas City Attorney. The second is an administrative proceeding with the Nevada Department of Motor Vehicles, which can result in the suspension of your driver’s license. Understanding both processes — and the critical deadlines that apply — is essential to protecting your rights.
The DMV Hearing: You Have 7 Days to Act
This is the most critical piece of information for anyone arrested for DUI in Nevada: you have just seven days from the date of your arrest to request a hearing with the Nevada DMV to contest the automatic suspension of your driver’s license. If you miss this deadline, your license will be automatically suspended — regardless of what happens in the criminal case. There are no extensions and no exceptions.
This seven-day window is one of the most compelling reasons to contact a DUI attorney immediately after your arrest. An experienced Las Vegas DUI attorney can file the hearing request on your behalf, give you the best chance of retaining your license during the proceedings, and begin building your criminal defense simultaneously.
What Not to Say to Police After a DUI Arrest
The Fifth Amendment gives you the right to remain silent, and you should exercise it. Politely identify yourself, provide your driver’s license, registration, and insurance as required by Nevada law, and then say nothing further without an attorney present. Statements made at the scene or during booking can be used against you at trial. Many DUI cases are built substantially on what the defendant said — admissions about drinking, estimating how many drinks were consumed, or explaining where they had been.
You are not required to answer questions about whether you have been drinking, where you came from, where you are going, or how much you had to drink. A polite “I would like to speak with my attorney before answering any questions” is both legally appropriate and strategically sound.
Why You Must Call an Attorney Immediately
Time is the enemy in a DUI case. Evidence deteriorates. Witnesses’ memories fade. Security camera footage gets overwritten. The seven-day DMV deadline can pass before you realize its importance. An experienced Las Vegas DUI attorney can preserve evidence, secure witness statements, review the arresting officer’s conduct for procedural violations, challenge the validity of field sobriety tests, and examine whether the breathalyzer or blood test was properly administered and calibrated.
Potential Consequences of a Nevada DUI Conviction
A first-offense DUI in Nevada carries potential consequences including jail time, fines, mandatory DUI school, community service, and a license suspension. Subsequent offenses carry increasingly severe penalties, including longer license suspensions and mandatory prison time for felony DUI charges. A DUI conviction also creates a permanent criminal record that can affect employment, housing, and professional licensing for years after the case is resolved.
How Marathon Law Group Handles DUI Cases
Marathon Law Group approaches every DUI case by first examining whether the traffic stop was legally justified, whether field sobriety tests were properly administered, and whether chemical testing procedures were followed correctly. Technical defenses in DUI cases are not loopholes — they are the legitimate application of constitutional protections and scientific standards that the government must meet before convicting anyone of a crime.
Our attorneys bring 45 years of combined experience to criminal defense matters in Clark County. We understand Nevada DUI law and how cases are handled in Las Vegas Justice Court and Clark County District Court. We fight for reduced charges, dismissals where the evidence supports them, and the best possible outcome for every client.
If you or a family member has been arrested for DUI in Las Vegas, contact Marathon Law Group immediately. Do not wait. Our legal team is ready to help you understand your rights and options. Reach us at (702) 522-1808 or through our contact page.
For more information about our criminal defense practice and how we handle cases in the Las Vegas area, visit our attorneys page to learn about our team’s experience.
Marathon Law Group
2012 Hamilton Ln
Las Vegas, NV 89106
(702) 522-1808