Did you know that no one has ever been arrested on a “wet reckless” charge? It’s true – anyone who eventually has a wet reckless charge on their record was originally arrested for DUI. That’s because the prosecution in a DUI case may decide that there is some weakness to the DUI charge – or perhaps they realize that your defense is pretty solid – so they may offer a plea bargain for a wet reckless charge.
Wet reckless charge considerations
A wet reckless plea bargain is typically only offered in 1st-time DUI cases. If you’re arrested for a 2nd DUI, it’s very unlikely that the prosecutor will offer you a wet reckless plea bargain. If this is your 2nd or subsequent DUI charge, you’ll probably benefit from accepting a wet reckless plea bargain if the prosecutor offers it.
Weighing the pros and cons
Accepting a wet reckless plea bargain may be the right course of action in your case. One positive aspect of it is that there are no mandatory sentence enhancements if you are a repeat offender (i.e. you’ve been charged with more than one DUI).
Wet reckless penalties are much lighter, even if this is your first DUI charge. Fines are lower, probation is shorter, and there won’t be a court-ordered suspension on your license. However, the DMV treats a wet reckless charge with the same amount of seriousness as a DUI, so there may still be driver license implications.
Repeat DUIs
If you’re arrested for DUI anytime in the next 10 years, your wet reckless charge will still count as a 1st time DUI offense. If you’re convicted of a 2nd or subsequent DUI, penalties will still be much more severe.
SR-22 insurance
SR-22 insurance is a special kind of auto insurance that is required after a DUI conviction. If you’re convicted of a wet reckless, you’ll still have to obtain SR-22 insurance before your driver’s license will be reinstated. That’s because the need for SR-22 insurance isn’t triggered by the criminal court proceedings – but if you lose the DMV Admin Per Se hearing, you’ll have to purchase it.
Why consider accepting a wet reckless charge?
Each case is unique, but there are many advantages to accepting a wet reckless charge that may apply to your situation. For one, a wet reckless charge looks better on your record, so it might help you get and retain employment after conviction. It also has a shorter probation period – about 1-2 years, whereas a DUI usually requires 3-5 years of probation.
Weigh your options with an expert
Schedule an appointment with Attorney Dan Chambers today. He’ll go over all the details of your case, evaluate them with a discerning eye, and impart solid legal advice right away. Attorney Chambers is always available to answer any questions prospective clients may have – so feel free to schedule your first consultation with him now (it’s free!).
Contact the Chambers Law Firm to schedule your appointment with Attorney Chambers immediately:
Call: 714-760-4088
Email: dchambers@clfca.com
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