About DUI Plea Deals
There are many ways that a driving under the influence (DUI) charge can be resolved. Depending on the specifics of the case, your attorney may advise you to plead guilty, no contest or not guilty. In certain situations, you may even be able to strike a deal with the prosecutor.
Discussing a plea deal with the opposing side can lead to you pleading guilty to a lesser charge, reducing your punishment greatly. The chances of reaching a deal depend on the strength of the prosecution’s evidence, and deals can be made at any point during the proceedings.
If you have been charged with a DUI, then you need an experienced attorney on your side to make sure that your interests are well protected in court. At the Law Offices of Michael M. Raheb, P.A., we specialize in helping our clients evaluate their position and build a strong DUI defense. To discuss your case, Call Us At 866-949-0888 Today!
1. Not All Plea Deals Are Created Equal
There is no set list of plea deals to choose from; there are many different types of deals that can affect your sentence differently. In some cases, the prosecution may agree to drop one of the charges against you in exchange for you pleading guilty to another charge. In other cases, they may agree to let you plead guilty to a lesser offense that carries a lower fine and a longer probation period.
To complicate matters further, the judge must approve any plea deals, and he may opt to change some of the details of the deal before he will approve it.
2. Plea Deals Will Be A Compromise
You may receive a generous plea deal if the case against you is not particularly strong, but, if the prosecution is confident in its case, then you may need to be prepared to make more of a compromise. Your attorney can help you decide whether you should accept a deal or go to trial depending on the strength of your defense.
3. Many Prosecutors Are Motivated To Make Plea Deals
There are many reasons why a prosecutor may be open to reach an agreement. They may want to keep the court calendar clear, or they may want to cut down on court expenses. Also, it’s important to remember that the burden of proof rests on the prosecution, so if they are not confident that they can win, they may want to make a deal. This is what happened in a case against a hotel manager recently.
The Daily News Online reports that Phillip Lovingfoss received a plea deal because his blood alcohol content (BAC) was measured at exactly the legal limit. The prosecution was afraid that the defense would call an expert witness that would testify that BAC results could vary, so they offered a plea deal that didn’t involve jail time.
4. A DUI Attorney Can Help You Reach A Favorable Deal
We have 16 years of experience representing clients just like you, so we know the best ways to negotiate with the prosecution. To schedule a free consultation, Call Us At 866-949-0888 Today!
