Douglas County, Nevada · DUI
DUI in Douglas County
What happens after a DUI arrest in Douglas County, where your case will be heard and the deadlines that matter in your first days.
Where your case is handled
DMV hearing
Your DMV hearing office
Your hearing is handled by the DMV. Keep the notice of revocation you received. Request your hearing within 7 days.
Your first days after an arrest
Request your DMV hearing
Within 7 days. Your temporary license is good for 7 days.
Find your court date
Check your citation or release paperwork for your arraignment date and courthouse.
Write down what happened
The stop, the tests and what was said, while it's still fresh.
Talk to a DUI defense attorney
A local attorney can request the DMV hearing for you and review the stop.
Your license: two separate cases
A DUI arrest in Nevada starts two cases: a DMV revocation and a criminal case. You have to win both to avoid losing your license.
DMV · starts at arrest
Administrative revocation
After a breath test or a refusal, the officer takes your license and gives you a temporary license good for 7 days. Request a DMV hearing within those 7 days to keep driving until it's decided.
If the revocation stands: 185 days for a first offense, with an ignition interlock option.
Court · starts when charged
Criminal case
A conviction brings its own revocation, shown in the penalties table on this page. The court may credit time already served under the DMV revocation.
Installing an ignition interlock may let first offenders get a restricted license right away.
Nevada DUI penalties
| First offense | Second offense | Third offense | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Offense level | Misdemeanor | Misdemeanor | Category B felony |
| Jail or prison | 2 days to 6 months, or 48 to 96 hours of community service | 10 days to 6 months; can include home confinement | 1 to 6 years in state prison |
| Fine | $400 to $1,000 | $750 to $1,000 | $2,000 to $5,000 |
| Programs | DUI school and victim impact panel | Treatment program; 100 to 200 hours of community service | Evaluation; treatment may be ordered |
| License revocation | 185 days | 1 year | 3 years |
| Ignition interlock | 185 days | 1 year | 3 years |
First offense
- Offense level
- Misdemeanor
- Jail or prison
- 2 days to 6 months, or 48 to 96 hours of community service
- Fine
- $400 to $1,000
- Programs
- DUI school and victim impact panel
- License revocation
- 185 days
- Ignition interlock
- 185 days
Second offense
- Offense level
- Misdemeanor
- Jail or prison
- 10 days to 6 months; can include home confinement
- Fine
- $750 to $1,000
- Programs
- Treatment program; 100 to 200 hours of community service
- License revocation
- 1 year
- Ignition interlock
- 1 year
Third offense
- Offense level
- Category B felony
- Jail or prison
- 1 to 6 years in state prison
- Fine
- $2,000 to $5,000
- Programs
- Evaluation; treatment may be ordered
- License revocation
- 3 years
- Ignition interlock
- 3 years
Douglas County DUI FAQ
What happens after a DUI arrest in Douglas County, Nevada?
A DUI arrest in Nevada starts two cases: a DMV revocation and a criminal case. You have to win both to avoid losing your license. After a breath test or a refusal, the officer takes your license and gives you a temporary license good for 7 days. Request a DMV hearing within those 7 days to keep driving until it's decided. Count from when you receive your temporary license and notice of revocation. After a blood test, that notice may come by mail weeks after the arrest.
Where are DUI cases heard in Douglas County?
The county seat of Douglas County is Minden. Contact the Douglas County Clerk of Court to confirm where your case will be heard.
Is my driver's license suspended after a DUI arrest in Douglas County?
After a breath test or a refusal, the officer takes your license and gives you a temporary license good for 7 days. Request a DMV hearing within those 7 days to keep driving until it's decided. If the revocation stands: 185 days for a first offense, with an ignition interlock option. A conviction in the criminal case brings its own suspension: 185 days for a first offense.
What are the penalties for a first DUI in Douglas County?
Under Nevada law, a first DUI carries: Offense level: Misdemeanor. Jail or prison: 2 days to 6 months, or 48 to 96 hours of community service. Fine: $400 to $1,000. Programs: DUI school and victim impact panel. License revocation: 185 days. Ignition interlock: 185 days. Offenses count as priors if they happened within 7 years. A very high BAC also requires an alcohol and drug evaluation, and treatment may be ordered.
Do I have two separate cases after a DUI arrest in Douglas County?
Yes. A DUI arrest in Nevada starts two cases: a DMV revocation and a criminal case. You have to win both to avoid losing your license. Administrative revocation: After a breath test or a refusal, the officer takes your license and gives you a temporary license good for 7 days. Request a DMV hearing within those 7 days to keep driving until it's decided. Criminal case: A conviction brings its own revocation, shown in the penalties table on this page. The court may credit time already served under the DMV revocation.