Coroner's Class

The Clark County Coroner's Program, or “Coroner's Class,” is class that is often assigned by the Court as a sentencing requirement for a DUI related charge. While this case is not a mandatory component of a DUI sentence (as are the “DUI School” or “Victim Impact Panel”) it is often required by a sentencing judge or made part of the negotiation of the criminal charge of DUI. The Coroner's program is offered by the Clark County Coroner's office. The Coroner/Medical Examiner's office has instructors who try to deter offenders from making irresponsible actions in the future, like drinking and driving, which can lead to death.

The Coroner's Class must be registered for in advance, at the 1st Floor of the Regional Justice Center located at 200 Lewis Avenue. You can register at the Traffic/Customer Service area between 7:30 AM to 4 PM Monday through Thursday and 7:30 AM to 3:30 PM on Friday. Typically, a Defendant can register for this after their Court appearance, where a judge has sentenced them or a negotiation has been entered where the person must attend this class.

Prior to completing the class, the Defendant will have to complete a consent form and a confidentiality agreement. The Defendant will have to agree to keep the identities and personal information of any person, whether driver or victim, private and not to disclose or discuss any private information with people who did not take the course.

The Defendant will be shown graphic photos of car accident scenes where a DUI offender caused the death of either himself, or another person. The coroner instructor may bring in a person, or may tell the story of a person who was killed by a drunk driver.

Additionally, the class is held at the Coroner's Office where the Defendant may experience the sights, smells, and common sounds of a coroner's office. However, the offender will not have to view an autopsy or any autopsy photos.

The class is usually three hours (3) long, and is held Thursday mornings, Thursday evenings, and Friday evenings. To receive credit for the course that will be recognized by the Court, the Defendant must successfully attend the entire course within the time given by the Court. If the Clark County Coroner's Program is made part of a sentence for DUI in the Las Vegas Justice Court, a Defendant will usually have ninety (90) to one hundred twenty (120) days, or three (3) to four (4) months, to complete all of the classes and fine requirements that were mandated by the Court. Proof that the Defendant took, and completed, the class will have to be provided to the attorney prior to the scheduled court date, known as a “status check.” In most cases, if the Defendant did not complete all of the judge's requirements, then he or she will have to appear in court on the day of the status check. However, in most circumstances, if all of the requirements, including the Coroner's program, were completed within the time required, and proof was provided to the Defendant's attorney or the court, the Defendant will likely not have to appear and the case will be closed, or dismissed, pursuant to the previously entered negotiations.

If made part of a DUI Defendant's sentence, the Coroner's Class must be attended, and successfully completed. It is a very serious course discussing hard to swallow topics. If it is not completed by the Defendant, he or she may face jail time. If you, or a loved one, have been charged with a DUI, you may have to take a Coroner's Class. In most cases it will undoubtedly be beneficial to have an experienced Las Vegas DUI attorney review your case, and work for you. If you hire Attorney Josh Tomsheck in the early stages of your case, before your first Court date, it may be possible to have your charges reduced or entirely dismissed. He may make it possible so that you never have to attend a Coroner's Class or may make the attendance and successful completion of such a class a part of a negotiation which results in the reduction and dismissal of your DUI case. Hundreds of past clients who have retained Mr. Tomsheck have had their DUI charges reduced to lesser offenses, such as reckless driving, or completely dismissed. Contact him today for a free consultation.