FACT BRIEFDoes Nevada have specific penalties for DUI in a school zone?
No.
There are no stand-alone statutes in Nevada that outline specific penalties for DUI in a school zone. Such an offense would be considered an aggravating factor of the DUI charge.
Basic DUI penalties in Nevada vary on the offense. The first or second offenses without injury are classified as misdemeanors, but a third without injury becomes a felony.
Any DUI resulting in death or substantial bodily harm are immediately felonies and punishable to up to 20 years in prison and a fine of up to $20,000.
While there’s no school zone DUI statute, location in proximity to a school where children are present or if a child was in the car could be a factor in prosecutors pursuing a felony child endangerment charge or be seen as an aggravating circumstance in a general negligence claim.
This fact brief is responsive to conversations such as this one.
The Nevada Independent partners with Gigafact to produce fact briefs — bite-sized fact checks of trending claims. Read our methodology to learn how we check claims.
Sources
- Nevada Legislature NRS484C.400
- State Bar of Nevada Driving Under the Influence
- Legislative Counsel Bureau Research Division Driving Under the Influence in Nevada
It’s up to all of us to spread the truth.
The Nevada Independent is always on the lookout for claims that could use a fact check. But we could use your eyes and ears too. If you're on social media or consuming news and come across a statement that raises questions for you — let us know.
In the meantime, if you think this work is important, please show your support by making a donation of any amount today. Your contributions help us devote more reporters and editors to finding and checking claims, ensuring that Nevadans have the best information possible during this important time in our state’s history.