If you are arrested for DUI in Nevada, most judges will not let you out of jail until you post bail. For a first-time DUI in Las Vegas, bail is usually set at no less than $2,000.
You get the bail money back at the end of your case as long you do not miss any court appearances. However, since most people do not have thousands of dollars lying around, it is more common to hire a local bail bondsman.
You pay the bondsman 15% of the total bail amount, and they put up the rest. Then when the case ends and the bail money is returned, the bondsman keeps it all including the 15% you paid them.
Whether you use a bail bondsman or not, you are strongly encouraged to hire a Las Vegas DUI defense attorney to guide you through the bail process and fight the underlying criminal charges.
Bail Amounts for Las Vegas DUIs
In Las Vegas Justice Court, the typical bail amount is:
- $2,000 for a first DUI, which is a misdemeanor.
- $5,000 for a second DUI, which is also a misdemeanor.
- $20,000 for a third DUI, which is a felony even if no one got hurt.
In DUI with injury/death cases, which are always felonies, judges typically set bail at $10,000 or higher.
Meanwhile, in Las Vegas Municipal Court, the typical bail amount is $2,115 for a DUI 1st and a DUI 2nd. (Municipal Court does not hear felony DUI cases)
I can usually persuade judges to lower your bail significantly. For first-time DUI cases, judges may even agree to an O.R. (own recognizance) release where you go free without having to pay anything at all.
I always ask for a lower bail or O.R. release during your initial arraignment. If the judge declines, we can press the issue again by requesting a bail hearing down the line.
Posting Bail Without a Bail Bondsman
CCDC
If your loved one is incarcerated at the Clark County Detention Center, you can post bail yourself 24/7 by these methods:
- Pay at the CCDC Lobby Kiosk located at 330 S Casino Center Blvd, Las Vegas, NV 89101 by using either debit, credit, cash, or a cashier’s check or money order made out to “Las Vegas Justice Court” along with the inmate ID and name. (No personal checks.)
- Pay by telephone at 1-844-855-6152.
- Pay by MoneyGram at call 1-800-926-9400.
- Pay using this QR Code by credit, debit, PayPal, PayPal Credit, or Venmo.
To complete the transaction, you will need the inmate’s
- Full name,
- Inmate ID,
- Case number, and
- UPI number.
You can find this information through CCDC’s inmate search. There is also a $50 fee for posting bail.
For more information on posting bail at the CCDC, call Pre-Trial Services at 702-671-3285.
Las Vegas City Jail
If your loved one is incarcerated at Las Vegas City Jail, you can post bail 24/7 online or at the bail window at 3200 Stewart Ave., Las Vegas, NV 89101. The jail accepts:
- MasterCard, Visa, and Discover (not American Express) or
- Cash in the full and exact amount.
For more information on posting bail at the Las Vegas City Jail, call the bail hotline at 702-229-6460.
How Bail Works
When you are arrested for a crime, judges may set bail on your case. This is the amount of money you need to pay for the court to release you while your case is pending.
By paying bail, you promise to show up at all future court appearances in your case. As long as you do, the court will return (“exonerate”) all the bail money once your case ends whether you are convicted or not.
However if you miss court even once, not only will the court issue a bench warrant for your arrest, but also you “forfeit” the bail money. This means the court keeps your bail money forever.
Before you decide to use a bail bondsman to pay for your loved one’s bail, be confident that your loved one will not skip court. If they miss court, the bondsman will go after your collateral to recoup their expenses. They can also send out a bounty hunter to find your loved one and to haul them into court.
When Inmates Get Released
Sometimes inmates get released within a couple hours after bail is posted, but other times several hours can elapse. It really depends on the day and how busy the jail is. Plus, people arrested on Friday may remain in jail until Monday no matter how early bail gets paid.
In any case, judges are more likely to grant lower bail or O.R. release to defendants who are represented by counsel. The best thing you can do is to call me as soon as possible after the arrest so I can start working for the earliest release time possible.
Do I need an attorney?
You are advised to hire a Las Vegas drunk driving attorney as soon as possible after your DUI arrest in Nevada. Not only can we guide you through and expedite the bail process, but also we wage an aggressive defense in an effort to get your DUI charges dismissed or reduced if at all possible.
Drunk- and drugged driving cases are always an uphill battle in Nevada. Prosecutors are not allowed to plea bargain to lesser charges unless they can show the judge they lack evidence to prove your guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.
Therefore, we pore over every line of the state’s evidence and conduct our own investigation in an effort to raise that reasonable doubt so you can avoid the harsh penalties for driving under the influence, as shown in the chart below:
| Nevada DUI offense | Penalties |
| DUI 1st (in 7 years) – NRS 484C.400 | Misdemeanor:
|
| DUI 2nd (in 7 years) – NRS 484C.400 | Misdemeanor:
|
| DUI 3rd (in 7 years) – NRS 484C.400 | Category B felony:
|
| DUI causing injury or death – NRS 484C.430 | Category B felony:
|
| DUI after felony DUI conviction – NRS 484C.410 | Category B felony:
|
Additional Resources
For more information about bail schedules and bail laws in Nevada, refer to the following:
- Las Vegas Municipal Court Bail Schedule – Bail amounts associated with specific misdemeanors in the incorporated area of Las Vegas.
- Las Vegas Justice Court Bail Schedule – Bail amounts associated with misdemeanors in the unincorporated area of Las Vegas and with felonies throughout Las Vegas.
- Henderson Municipal Court Bail Schedule – Bail amounts associated with specific misdemeanors in the incorporated area of Henderson.
- Bail Schedule – Links to bail schedules in various Nevada counties (not including Clark or White Pine) compiled by the Nevada State Highway Patrol.
- Bail reform in Nevada rightly presumes innocence, not guilt – Article in the Reno Gazette-Journal about how bail relates to the presumption of innocence.
