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By Dave Toplikar (contact) 
Wednesday, Feb. 8, 2012 | 9:41 a.m.
Noel Lardeo
Sun Coverage
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On most mornings, Noel Lardeo would be standing in front of a classroom of boisterous first-graders, getting ready to start the lesson plan of the day at Roger Bryan Elementary School.
But on Wednesday morning, the 26-year-old teacher was dressed in a blue jail jumpsuit and standing in front of a Las Vegas judge.
Lardeo was listening to attorneys argue back and forth about bail — and how much of a danger she was to the community for allegedly driving drunk and critically injuring a 15-year-old boy early Sunday morning in the western Las Vegas Valley.
Eventually, Justice of the Peace Suzan Baucum set bail for Lardeo at $250,000 and set her arraignment for 7:30 a.m. Friday.
But not until a prosecutor had said she couldn't be trusted to drive because she had "maimed a child" and couldn't be trusted to return to court because she hadn't taken care of a minor traffic ticket.
During the short hearing this morning, attorneys first argued about charges.
Lardeo’s attorney, Frank Cofer, pointed out to the judge that Lardeo had been in the Clark County Detention Center for three days without any formal complaints filed by the District Attorney's office.
"Your honor, I would ask that my client be released. She has been in custody more than 72 hours and there are no charges filed against her," Cofer said.
Chief Deputy District Attorney Brian Rutledge told the judge he would have the complaint ready on Friday — he said there was no requirement that charges had to be ready by the 72 hour hearing.
"A blood test is being completed on this. We expect to have it in time for arraignment on Friday morning," Rutledge said.
Metro Police have said it appeared that Lardeo was driving a 2005 Acura TSX west on Spring Mountain Road, west of El Camino Road, at 5:08 a.m. Sunday.
At that her car went off the right side of the road, collided with a bus shelter and struck a 15-year-old boy waiting nearby, police said.
The boy was transported to University Medical Center’s trauma unit in critical condition. Lardeo and her passenger, 36-year-old Artemio Rios, did not report injuries, police said.
Rutledge told the judge that the boy suffered severe injuries "that will cost him at least one of his legs."
Lardeo allegedly failed a standard field sobriety test and was arrested on one count of DUI resulting in substantial bodily harm, one count of failure to stop at an intersection, one count of no registration in vehicle, two counts of no driver’s license in possession and one count of open container in vehicle while driving.
Cofer asked Judge Baucum to at least address the issue of bail, "although I don't know if there's a procedure for that because a complaint has not yet been filed."
Cofer told the judge that the appropriate course would be to release her and let her appear back in court Friday, when formal charges would be filed.
Rutledge said he would agree to setting bail — he asked for $1 million.
"Your honor, $1 million is clearly excessive," Cofer said.
Lardeo's attorney said standard bail for category B felonies for intentional crimes — such as battery with the use of a deadly weapon or for substantial bodily harm or mayhem, or if someone had intentionally cut off another person's limb — is $20,000.
"The purpose of bail is not for punishment," Cofer said. "It's only to assure the appearance of the defendant and to protect the public."
He argued that if the court were to set a $20,000 bail, that would ensure Lardeo's appearance in court. And, in terms of protecting the public, the court could order her not to drive or even have her wear a SCRAM bracelet.
Rutledge said the lower bail would do neither.
"First of all, this woman has a bench warrant for traffic tickets, which proves she doesn't show up even on minor traffic offenses — which let her out to continue to do major traffic offenses," Rutledge said.
In terms of being a danger to the community, "I can't think of anyone who is a greater danger to the community. And no bracelet or anything — I mean, saying, 'Oh, don't drink and drive'— she already knew that. She has already maimed a child. It's ridiculous to say she wouldn't be a danger."
Cofer told the judge she also had the option of requiring intensive supervision or arrest, which, he said, would be sufficient to protect the public, but not more than necessary.
"The point is, $1 million bail, judge, is just punitive," Cofer said. "She ought to have a chance to get out of custody and litigate her case like a normal citizen."
Baucum asked Lardeo how long she has lived in the community.
Lardeo, who spoke so quietly the judge had to ask her twice, said three years. She also told the judge she worked for the Clark County School District.
"I'm going to set bail at $250,000," Baucum said.
Outside the courtroom, Cofer said he thought the bail was high.
"But I was expecting it to be high like this, just because of the media attention in this case," he said. "And there was a severe injury in the case."
In terms of outstanding traffic tickets, "I think she had had a traffic ticket that she had neglected to pay," Cofer said.
Way to go. Ruin two lives for absolutely NO REASON. Was it worth it?
That smirk on her face is not going to help her.
Put her on house arrest and take away her vehicle if it is not already at impound.
Laredo is a teacher?! Going to be interesting to watch how this plays out.
"That smirk on her face is not going to help her."
Noindex -- what kind of look is on your face when you're inebriated?
"The legitimate powers of government extend to such acts only as are injurious to others." -- Thomas Jefferson, Notes on the State of Virginia, 1781-82
KillerB, usually a happy look, unless I crash and nearly kill another human being. I'm pretty sure my demeanor would immediately change.
Drinking and driving in this town is suicide. Even a drink or two. People think "I'm not too bad, I'm ok to drive". All it takes is a split second for something to cause you to overreact in your tipsy state..and wham, you've slammed into a person or another vehicle. Just getting into an accident if you have alcohol in your system opens you up to all kinds of problems (even if not legally drunk)
This woman will most likely lose her career, felony conviction, money, shame. Hopefully the injured person gets well.
She nearly killed a teenage boy and took his leg--he will never skateboard or ride a bike again. The bail amount is too low in my mind, $250,000, hopefully she cannot afford to bailout on her teacher's salary, no matter. Also, her principal must decide quick to fire her so that she is never near our children again. We have got to stop forgiving drunk drivers, and putting them back on the road and back in their jobs after their first offence of nearly killing someone. She should get 7 years for 1st degree manslaughter. And that's the way I see it.
Comment removed by moderator. Personal Attack
At 26 she's pretty much derailed her life and career. I'm thinkin she was in party mode early Sunday,...and there seems to be enough to back this up,...but at 26, hired as a teacher,...shouldn't she be a bit more responsible than many others her age?
One would think.
She's got a lot to face moving forward,...and for quite some time,...none of its going to be pleasant. While were at it,...lets hope the teenager she hurt will be OK, now and long into the future. He's got a lot to deal with at a very young age too.
First my prayers go out to this young boy and may you get well fast. If you want to drink, do not drive. Take a taxi or hire designated drivers. I went to a party where I knew there was alcohol. I drove to the party sober, had a great time and a lot of fun. I called the designated driver people, and they picked me and my car up from the party and drove me home. I woke up the next morning with 100 dollars less in my pocket, a headache, and my car in the driveway. A heck of a lot better than waking up in jail, car towed, and a bail amount your probaly not going to get released on. Loose everything you worked for and having to live with the feeling you hurt another human being for no reason. Whatever u do, do not drink and drive. Sleep in the car (without it running and parked in a parking spot) if you have to, it will all be worth it when you realize how bad things could have been. Again my prayers to the child.
I hope that the person she hit recovers quickly. I think she'll learn her lesson and get back teaching soon.
I pray the young man recovers quickly, And I would bet that the young lady already regrets her decision and some how will be accountable for her deeds so I will also pray for her as well.
Going off subject briefly does anyone find that she Ms. Lardeo looks a lot like Elizabeth Montgomery...
3 words.
Career is Finished
Fire her and the family can sue her through her policy on her car.
first of all...bad luck with boy at bus stop at 5 am...yes impaired driving very serious...yes life time injury with loss of leg...$250k bail too high...she will be severely sentenced no doubt...all so avoidable...need more public awareness of liabilities...stop paying firemen $400,000/year and put money into driver education...
personnaly if it was my son who is the victim I wouldn't want a sentence beyond 4-6 years...take into account her life history...yes her actions were totally irresponsible...the passenger should be punished as an accessory...
Can't say don't drink and drive enough. For many, doesn't get thru. In this town, even if you're bombed out of your mind and somehow still capable of driving...you're still taking a huge chance. Bad drivers all over this town. Pedestrians crossing streets. Jaywalkers.
Simple. DON'T DRINK AND DRIVE.
I remember the Darling Manor crash. They said he was drunk too. I do not believe anything cops say. i bet they said they did not kick the guy in the head too.
Chunky says:
No winners here at all and the Chunks family send their best wishes for a speedy recovery to the victim of this needless crime.
$250,000 is heavy but not completely unreasonable considering the circumstances as presented here.
How can Ms. Lardeo expect any form of leniency from the courts? This was an avoidable tragedy, not an accident. How many times did she drive drunk and get away with it before this happened?
Prosecute her to the fullest extent of the law!
That's what Chunky thinks!
What a mess. I can remember doing stupid things when I was younger. I lucked out.
"KillerB, usually a happy look, unless I crash and nearly kill another human being."
Noindex -- may you never find out. Seriously.
For you pray-ers who mentioned not a word about actually donating something to ease the kid and his family's loss ...
"From people who merely pray we must become people who bless." -- Friedrich Wilhelm Nietzsche "Thus Spake Zarathustra" (1885)
Let us not forget she had a pardner in crime, Mr. Rios Probably was a likely helper to her condition?
What role does Rios play in all this? Was he also drinking? Was he is any state to be a credible witness?
Amazing, and this person is a "teacher"? They just don't make 'em like they used to, but it does explain why Nevada students don't seem to be learning much in the classroom. To be quite honest, she looks like a stripper.