When a person is arrested for driving under the influence of alcohol, there are several things a criminal lawyer in Burlington VT can do to help the individual avoid being hit with the consequences of being convicted of the crime. One option is to get the charges reduced from a DUI to a wet reckless. Here’s more information about this option.
What is a Wet Reckless Charge?
A wet reckless charge is a pure charging instrument. It’s not something a police officer will charge a person with when he or she is arrested. Instead, it’s a bargaining instrument that prosecutors and defense attorneys use to plea down a DUI charge.
Wet reckless is essentially a reckless driving charge. However, the court does make note that alcohol was involved in the incident. It’s is a lesser charge that typically comes with significantly reduced penalties than a DUI. For instance, the fine is usually a lot less than what a person convicted of a DUI would be charged.
However, while the court typically won’t suspend the person’s driver’s license, the DMV may treat the conviction as if it were a DUI and take the individual’s license away for the period of time commiserate with the number of DUI convictions the person has had. This will depend on the circumstances though.
Qualifying for a Wet Reckless Charge
Not everyone will be eligible to plea down their DUIs to wet reckless charges. In general, the prosecutor may only be amendable to letting a defendant plea out this way if the person was a first-time offender and there was no property damage or injuries involved.
Sometimes a person who was arrested a second time for DUI may also be able to get this plea if the circumstances are right. For instance, the person didn’t blow a high level on the breathalyzer test.
Pleading wet reckless in a DUI case can be a little complicated. That’s why it’s a good idea to hire a Criminal Lawyer in Burlington VT for assistance. The attorney can look at the case and negotiate the best deal possible with the prosecutor. For more information on DUI defenses, visit website.
