How to Avoid Trial for DUI Charges in California
If you are arrested on suspicion of driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs, it does not necessarily mean you will be convicted, but it also doesn’t mean your case will automatically go to trial. In fact, your best option may be to agree to a plea bargain before the case can go to trial.
An experienced DUI defense attorney can help you negotiate a favorable plea agreement, which could result in reduced charges and lesser penalties without the risks of going to trial.
Avoid Trial for DUI Charges
A DUI conviction has serious consequences. A first-time conviction carries up to six months in county jail and a $1,000 fine. Additionally, you could also lose your driving privileges for up to 10 months if you are convicted of DUI.
However, your attorney may be able to protect you from facing all of these harsh consequences by negotiating a plea deal with the prosecution. A plea deal is when you agree to plead guilty or no contest to the charges against you in exchange for the prosecution agreeing to reduce the charges you face or push for a lenient sentence. If you agree to plea bargain, you will not have to risk being convicted at trial.
As part of your plea bargain, you will likely be asked to plead guilty to one of the following crimes:
- Wet reckless driving: A wet reckless charge is not you could face unless you agree to a plea deal. If you agree to plead guilty to wet reckless, you face up to 90 days in county jail and a $1,000 fine. However, the other penalties and assessments are about half of those of a DUI.
A wet reckless conviction does not require a mandatory suspension of your driver’s license. However, if you are convicted of another DUI within 10 years, a wet reckless conviction will be treated as a DUI conviction, which would result in harsher punishment for you.
- Dry reckless driving: The probation period and penalties for this crime are similar to a wet reckless conviction, but there is no mandatory jail time for a dry reckless driving conviction. Additionally, a dry reckless does not count as a prior DUI offense in the event that you are charged with a DUI again within 10 years.
- Exhibition of speed: An exhibition of speed conviction is punishable only by a fine.
- Traffic infraction: The best possible outcome for a plea agreement would be a reduction to a traffic infraction. Your DUI charge would be changed to an infraction for an unsafe lane change or speeding, and you may be able to remove the infraction from your driving record by going to traffic school.
Contact the DUI Defense Attorneys at Wallin & Klarich Today
An experienced DUI defense attorney could make a huge difference in your case. A lawyer who knows the prosecutors in the court where your case is pending may be able to negotiate a favorable plea bargain for you so that you do not have to face the harsh penalties of a DUI conviction.
At Wallin & Klarich, our skilled DUI defense attorneys have been successfully defending clients facing DUI charges for more than 40 years. Let us help you now.
With offices in Orange County, Riverside, San Bernardino, Los Angeles, San Diego, West Covina, Torrance and Victorville, there is an experienced Wallin & Klarich DUI attorney available to help you no matter where you are located.
Contact our offices today at (877) 4-NO-JAIL or (877) 466-5245 for a free phone consultation. We will get through this together.
