Plea deals usually involve either a sentence reduction or a charge reduction
If you have been charged with driving under the influence (DUI) in California, you may be feeling overwhelmed or scared about what may happen to you. A conviction for DUI carries serious penalties, which may include jail time, probation, community service, mandatory alcohol classes, a license suspension, fines and fees. In addition, there are many other consequences associated with being convicted of a DUI, like higher insurance costs.
Working with a DUI defense attorney San Bernardino, CA can help you avoid some of these penalties, depending on the facts of your case. A skilled lawyer may be able to negotiate a favorable plea bargain that can help you achieve a more favorable outcome. This may result in either a reduction in the sentence that you receive for a DUI conviction, or a reduction in the charge itself.
For example, if you are charged with a first-time DUI offense and there are no aggravating factors, like driving at excessive rates of speed or extreme intoxication, then you will likely be charged with a misdemeanor DUI. An experienced DUI defense attorney San Bernardino, CA may be able to have the charge reduced to a lesser charge. This may include a wet reckless (reckless driving involving drugs or alcohol), dry reckless (reckless driving that did not involve drugs or alcohol), or an exhibition of speed. In some cases, if the evidence against you is weak, the charge may be reduced even further to something like public drunkenness. If you plead guilty to one of these charges, the penalties will likely be less than what they would be if you had pled guilty to a DUI — and for all charges except wet reckless, the conviction will not count as a prior offense for purposes of future DUIs.
If the prosecutor will not agree to a lesser charge, then your DUI defense attorney San Bernardino, CA may be able to negotiate a sentence reduction. In this case, you will plead guilty to a DUI and receive a more lenient sentence in exchange. This gives you the advantage of knowing what your sentence will be, rather than taking a risk at trial and with sentencing. It also may result in a lower sentence overall.
If you have been charged with a California DUI, your lawyer can advise you about whether it is advisable to accept a plea deal. Of course, the ultimate decision as to whether to accept a plea bargain rests with you — the defendant in the case. But your DUI defense attorney San Bernardino, CA will have a good idea of what a sentence for a case like yours typically is — and can help you make a more informed decision about whether a proposed plea bargain is a good idea.
At the Chambers Law Firm, we are highly skilled at defending clients against a range of DUI charges. Contact us today at 714-760-4088 or dchambers@clfca.com to schedule a free initial consultation or to learn more about how we can help you.
