Las Vegas Criminal and DUI Defense Attorneys

Mueller Hinds & Associates, Chtd.

600 South 8th Street
Las Vegas, Nevada 89101
USA

(702) 940-1234 or (800) 899-1737

(702) 940-1235

www.cristinahindslaw.com

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Law Firm Overview Free Consultation

At Mueller, Hinds and Associates, Chtd., our aggressive and experienced criminal defense lawyers will fight for your rights, your freedom and your future. We represent clients who face all types of state criminal charges, including DUI, or drunk driving defense, bad checks and casino debt defense, traffic violation defense, domestic violence defense, and other criminal charges in Las Vegas. We also handle criminal appeals and post conviction work, such as requests for a new trial or reduction of prison sentences. Our clients, many of whom speak Spanish, are from all walks of life and come from all over the Las Vegas area. Each client receives experienced, personal service and a commitment to their best interests.

With experience as a former Las Vegas criminal prosecutor, we understand the criminal system from the perspectives of both prosecution and defense. Because of our experience, we are able to anticipate where your case is headed and can help you make the right choices for you and your family. We understand that the criminal law system can be intimidating and confusing. When you have a question or issue, you want to speak with your legal representative, so we stay accessible to our clients. Our staff is well trained and courteous and will always treat your with respect and care. We take the time to answer questions and help you make informed decisions. We appreciate that your choices will impact the rest of your life and you need to know your options. We want you to feel confident in your choice of representation, maintain a sense of control over your defense, and to get the quality service you deserve.

We also have a personal injury side to our law firm. At Mueller, Hinds, & Associates, Chtd., if we agree to take your personal injury case, we charge no fees and no expenses unless and until we win your claim. We will work on your case and advance all the expenses necessary to prosecute your claim. We are reimbursed and paid only from the recovery we obtain for you. This is called a “contingency fee.” If for some reason there is no gross recovery, no attorney's fee are, and we pay for your expenses. All of this is clearly spelled out in a written retainer agreement.

We are able to take cases on a “contingency basis” because we only take a select number of cases that we believe have a good chance of success. In other words, if we take your case, this means that we have the confidence and courage to put our time and money at risk for you and to become your partner in the pursuit of justice.

Practice Areas

Additional Practice Areas: Arrested While on Vacation; Bad Checks and Casino Debt Defense; Cannot Make Court Appearance; Commercial Drivers License; DUI and Boating; Hit & Run Accidents; License Suspension; Out of State Drivers; Visitors and Domestic Violence; Violation of the Erotic Dance Ordinance; Petty Larceny; Nuisance; Graffiti; Elder Abuse; Forgery; Fraudulent Use of Credit Card; Possession of Stolen Property; Habitual Criminal Status; Civil or Criminal Forfeitures; Sealing Criminal Records; Violations of Stay Out of Trouble Orders; Contempt Hearings; Probation Revocations; Sentence Modifications; Post Conviction Relief.

Practice Areas Description

These are some of the areas we practice. If you do not see your type of case listed, please give us a call.

- Arrested While on Vacation

Domestic violence, DUI, and marijuana possession are the most common types of cases we get from Las Vegas visitors. When you are on vacation, the first priority is usually to get out of jail as quickly as possible. We will explain how to get out of jail, whether you should post bail, and if we can request an O/R release so you are not required to post any money for bail. Nevada is one of the few states that allows an attorney to contact a judge directly to ask for your release before arraignment. You should take advantage of this law.

- Bad Checks

In Nevada, it is called a "marker" when you borrow money from a casino. If you do not pay back your marker, you can be charged and convicted of a felony, which carries a possible prison sentence. Further, a felony conviction for this type of crime will almost certainly result of the loss of most professional licenses.

- Cannot Make Court Appearance

The first court appearance is usually the arraignment. If you do not have an attorney, and you fail to appear at your arraignment, the judge will almost certainly issue a warrant for your arrest.

- Commercial Drivers License

Persons having a commercial driver’s license (CDL) are subject to much stricter standards than those who have a non-commercial driver’s license. The legal alcohol limit is .08 for a non-commercial driver’s license, but it is .04 if you have a (CDL). Importantly, .04 is the legal limit whether you are operating commercial or non-commercial vehicle at the time of your arrest. In addition to alcohol, a CDL holder is prohibited from being under the influence of a controlled substance and/or any chemical, solvent, or poison to any degree which makes him incapable or safely driving or operating a motor vehicle.

- Criminal Record Sealing

If you have a Nevada criminal record, you may be able to “seal” your record. The legal effect of having your record sealed means that all proceedings in your record are treated as if they never occurred. Further, you are legally entitled on any job application to state that you do not have a criminal record, including that you have never been arrested. Further, your civil rights to vote, hold office, and serve on a jury are restored.

- Domestic Violence

Neither Nevada or the federal government takes this charge lightly. You should retain an attorney for this matter. Even a misdemeanor conviction for this charge carries mandatory jail time. In addition, this conviction can cause the loss of custody
of your children, loss of employment, and can subject you to deportation.

- DUI Defense

DUI is a specialized, technical area of law that requires skill, dedication, and expertise. At Mueller, Hinds, and Associates, Chtd., we are proud to have handled 1000’s of DUI criminal cases and administrative hearings for our clients. Call our office now for a free consultation.

- DUI and Boating

In Nevada, and under federal law, it is illegal to operate a motorboat, sailboat, any other vessel, or use water skis or a surfboard while under the influence of alcohol or drugs. The legal limit for operating or using these devices is .08 (the same for driving a car). Illegal drugs, or "prohibited substances" have legal limits also. The legal limit of a prohibited substance depends on the substance and whether you submitted to a blood or urine test.

- DUI and Illegal/Street Drugs

The legal limit of alcohol for most drivers in Nevada is .08. Did you know that there is also a legal limit for the amount of illegal drugs you may have in your system while driving? That's right, there are actual maximum amounts of cocaine, heroin, LSD, marijuana, methamphetamine, and/or phencyclidine that you are prohibited from consuming prior to driving. In fact, if testing shows that you are under these limits, you may have a valid defense to a DUI charge.

- DUI and the Necessity Defense

Nevada is one of the few jurisdictions where you can legally argue necessity as a defense to a charge of DUI (that it was necessary for you to drive while you were under the influence).

- DUI with Prescription Medication

You can be convicted of a DUI in Nevada for driving after taking your prescription medication, whether or not you have ingested any alcohol or illegal drugs. Nevada law NRS 484C.110 makes it illegal to drive or be in actual physical control of a motor vehicle while under the influence of any controlled substance. Unlike alcohol or illegal drugs, there is no minimum or maximum amount of prescription medication that is allowed. This means that you can be convicted of a DUI for having even the slightest amount of controlled substance in your blood.

- DUI and Towing Your Car

When you are arrested for a DUI in Nevada, the police have the authority to order your vehicle towed to an impound lot. You are responsible for all of the costs associated with towing and storing your vehicle. The charges incur daily; therefore, we recommend your pick up your car as soon as possible upon release from jail to avoid additional charges.

- Felony DUI

In Nevada, there are three ways that a DUI can be treated as a felony:

• First, a third offense DUI conviction within 7 years is a felony.
• Second, if you are the driver involved in a DUI where there is a death or substantial bodily harm to your passenger, a pedestrian, or occupants of another car, you will be charged with a felony DUI.
• Third, once you have a conviction for a felony DUI, any later conviction will also be a felony.

- Hit & Run Accidents

We have helped many clients who are facing hit and run charges. Oftentimes, for misdemeanor hit and run, we simply need make an appointment and take our client with us to the Hit and Run Detail at Metro, where the client is issued a citation. On the other hand, felony hit and run is much more serious and requires a skilled, detailed defense. If you have questions about a potential hit and run case, call our office now to take advantage of our experience in this area of law.

- License Suspension

If you are facing a license suspension/revocation or have already lost your privileges, you should contact us immediately. You may have the right to have a hearing to challenge the loss of your driver's license, present witnesses and evidence, and cross examine the State's witnesses. However, there are time limits in which you have to challenge your suspension. If you wait too long, you may lose your valuable rights. Call us now to discuss your case.

- Medical Marijuana

If you have been charged with a marijuana-related crime, call us now to discuss your options and defenses. If you retain us, you may not even be required to appear in court.

- Out of State Drivers

When you are arrested for a DUI in Nevada, there are two actions the government takes against you. You will be arrested and charged with a crime. Additionally, the Nevada DMV will administratively take away the “privilege” of driving within the State of Nevada. You may be unable to legally drive just 10 days after your DUI arrest. Driving in Nevada while your license is revoked from a DUI arrest is no laughing matter. A conviction for this crime carries a mandatory minimum 30 day jail sentence.

- Possession of Controlled Substance

At Mueller, Hinds, and Associates, Chtd., we believe that everyone deserves a second chance. The overwhelming majority of our clients who were arrested for this crime are decent, hardworking people who have good jobs, attend school, and have no prior arrests or criminal convictions. We believe you should have the opportunity to take your life back and avoid the stigma of one bad night in Vegas.

- Probation & Probation Violations

Probation is a sentence which is imposed instead of ordering the accused to serve time in jail or prison. A person on probation is "free" in that they are not incarcerated, but they usually have many requirements to complete and are required to give up certain rights.

- Sleeping in Your Car & DUI

Under Nevada law, you can be convicted of a DUI for either driving or “being in actual physical control” of a motor vehicle. This means that you do not need to be driving a car to be convicted of a DUI. We have had many clients who arrested for DUI when the officer believed they were intoxicated while they slept in their car. There are many defenses to a DUI when the facts show that the accused was asleep in his car. It is up to your attorney to convince the prosecutor, judge, or jury that you were not “in actual physical control” of the vehicle.

- Visitors and Domestic Violence

If you were visiting Las Vegas and you were arrested for domestic violence, it is essential that you contact us as soon as possible after your arrest. Instead of waiting for charges to be filed against you, we can take immediate action to avoid having criminal charges ever filed. This means that you will legally be able to state that you have never been charged with a crime. Further, you will not be required to attend court or complete any court-ordered requirements. However, this option is only available if you take immediate action after your arrest. Call us now to discuss your options.

- Traffic Violations

Millions of people receive traffic citations each year, but few of them realize the potentially devastating consequences of a conviction(s). While simply pleading guilty to a traffic citation, paying a fine, and attending traffic school may sound like a good idea, have you considered the following implications?

• Any conviction for a moving violation can raise your insurance rates.
• Multiple convictions for traffic violations can result in a license suspension or revocation. In Nevada, if you are convicted of driving with a suspended license, you may
be prohibited from obtaining another license for a full year.
• If you were involved in an accident, received a citation, and are being sued civilly, the conviction may be used in the civil lawsuit to show that you were negligent.
• If you have a commercial driver’s license (CDL), you could lose your license and the ability to earn a living.
• Additionally, you will probably need to take at least 1 day off work to go to court to resolve the ticket.

- Other Crimes

At Mueller, Hinds, and Associates, Chtd., we have over twenty (20) years of experience in handling criminal matters in Las Vegas. Even if you are charged with a felony, you have many options regarding trial defense, plea agreements, and probation. In many cases, you can avoid having a felony conviction on your record, and you can avoid spending time in prison. We are pleased to accept persons charged with murder, kidnapping, assault, sex crimes, robbery, arson, gun charges, drug trafficking, and probation violations.