Man Charged in L.A. DUI Now in NV Prison
Nevada’s The Record-Courier recently reported about a 50-year-old man who had a previous DUI felony conviction in Los Angeles in 1997, and was recently sentenced again to a second prison term for felony driving under the influence in Gardnerville, Nevada. His blood alcohol content at the time of the crash was .209, about two and a half times the legal limit. The man was sentenced to five years in prison, but could be out on parole as early as two years.
Though it was reported that the man had previously sobered up since his last conviction, even attending Alcoholics Anonymous meetings, he relapsed in 2008, possibly beginning to drink again over the fact that he had been diagnosed with throat and bladder cancer. Even under such extenuating circumstances, the law is the law, and the man will need to serve his jail time just like anyone else would. However, one could wonder whether or not the man’s sentence was as minimal as possible.
According to Nevada law, any person who has previously been convicted of a felony, such as driving under the influence, regardless of whether or not that conviction was in the state of Nevada, will serve prison time for a second felony committed. For the many Californians, particularly those from the Los Angeles area, that visit Nevada each year, it is important to realize that your actions in California will travel with you to Nevada, and vice-versa. With drinking such a prevalent part of Nevada cities, such as Las Vegas and Reno, it is important to remember to always take the steps needed to be as safe as possible, including those steps needed to allow for the safety of those around you.
