Drivers who are convicted of driving under the influence (DUI) can face serious penalties, including possible jail time, fines, and license suspension. Due to the severity of the consequences, many DUI defendants ask if there’s a chance they will be offered a plea deal. Some defendants are given the opportunity to accept a plea deal known as a “wet reckless.”
A wet reckless is a type of plea bargain offered to DUI defendants. In this deal, the defendant agrees to plead guilty in exchange for the prosecutor reducing his charges to reckless driving. A reckless driving charge is still serious, but not nearly as serious as a DUI charge, which is what makes this deal attractive to defendants. For example, defendants could face up to one year in jail, a suspended license, and up to $1,000 in fines for their first DUI conviction. These penalties are much more severe than the penalties for reckless driving, which include up to 90 days in jail and up to a $300 fine.
Unfortunately, this plea bargain will not be offered to everyone who is charged with DUI. In the state of Colorado, the wet reckless bargain is only offered in cases where the evidence against the defendant is weak. To put it simply, a prosecutor will only offer this deal when he feels as if he does not have enough evidence to convict the defendant of DUI.
Most prosecutors will also only offer this plea bargain to defendants that do not have a prior criminal record. If this is not your first DUI charge, it’s unlikely that you will be offered a deal. You should also consider this deal off of the table if you injured or killed someone as a result of your intoxication.
It’s important to note that you should never accept this plea deal without talking to a criminal defense attorney first. Accepting a plea bargain may seem like the easy way out, but it’s not the best choice for everyone. Make sure that you understand how accepting a plea bargain will affect your criminal record and your future before making this decision.
At Reisch Law Firm, our criminal defense attorneys are dedicated to fighting for your freedom. If you have been charged with DUI, don’t hesitate to get in touch with our team about your case. Schedule a free consultation today by calling 303-291-0555 or filling out this online form.
