Accepting A DWI Plea Bargain

If you are facing DWI charges, you have a lot on your plate. At some point, you may offered a plea bargain that you are considering taking to avoid trial.

Is a plea bargain right for you? Is it a good option in your DWI case? This is what you need to know.

Why Is a Plea Bargain Advantageous?

There are several reasons why you might choose to plea bargain. For instance, you may find that the criminal court system in your area is delayed. This means your DWI case can last months, leaving you with many court dates, additional expenses, and a lot of stress.

You may also want to accept a plea bargain so that you can face more lenient penalties, often for lesser charges. This means you may accept a deal to avoid hefty fines or a lot of time in jail that could leave you without a job. You may be able to get a misdemeanor charge for your DWI, which allows you to pay a fine,or spend a lesser time in jail rather than serve a prison sentence.

There is also the chance that your criminal record will look better with a plea bargain rather than a conviction in court. This may even help you avoid significant jail time again in the future if you are charged with a DWI in the future. For instance, you might have a misdemeanor on your record instead of a felony.

A plea bargain can also help you avoid bad press. Criminal trials are public, and you may want to protect your family from going through a trial, especially if you have a public-facing job and want to avoid social stigma.

When Is a Plea Bargain A Bad Idea?

Of course, a plea bargain does come with a variety of consequences. A plea bargain could still mean that you lose your drivers license, spend time in jail, and pay some fines. If you believe yourself to be innocent of the charges, you may want to avoid any consequences whatsoever. In these cases, you might be better off going to trial.

Before you make any decision about making a plea bargain, it is important that you speak with a DWI attorney. Your DWI is serious and can lead to significant consequences. You do not have to make these decisions on your own. Call a professional today to schedule a consultation.