How to Get a DUI Dropped to Reckless Driving
DUI convictions are not taken lightly by the State of Virginia. As a result, a DUI conviction can carry severe life-altering consequences with it. With that in mind, it is important to fight the charge to seek a reduced penalty, a sentence reduction, or a plea bargain.
When someone comes to me facing a DUI charge, one of the most common questions they ask is, Can you get a DUI reduced to reckless driving? The answer is yes. In many cases, it is possible to get a DUI reduced to reckless driving through a plea bargain. The best way of getting a DUI reduced to reckless driving is to solicit the help of an experienced DUI attorney. A DUI attorney will help you fight for your rights by entering into a plea bargain. When you enter into a plea bargain, the courts dismiss specific charges in exchange for a guilty plea on a lesser charge.
DUI Penalties
Thepenaltiesfor a DUI conviction in Virginia are quite severe. The minimum and maximum penalties depend on whether you have prior DUI convictions. The penalty for a first conviction includes a fine between $250 and $2,500 and a license suspension of one year. For a second DUI offense, one faces a mandatory minimum fine of $500, driver license suspension of three years, and up to one year imprisonment. The penalties increase from there, with a third DUI bringing indefinite license suspension and prosecution as a Class 6 felony. Losing your license for as little as one year can seriously impact anyone’s life in numerous ways. On top of affecting one’s ability to commute to work and earn a living, a DUI conviction can affect a person’s ability to rent a home or take out a mortgage. These serious consequences are why it is important to know how to get a DUI reduced to reckless driving.
Getting a DUI Reduced to Reckless Driving
The most effective way of getting a DUI dropped to reckless driving is retaining the services of an experienced DUI attorney. A DUI attorney will look at your case’s specific facts and circumstances to show why a DUI charge is not warranted. Your chances of getting a reduction to reckless driving increase if you have no prior criminal convictions, no prior DUIs, and a relatively low blood alcohol concentration (BAC) at the time of the traffic stop. In some cases, treatment for alcohol dependency helps in getting a DUI charge reduced. Applying just one of these factors to your case is helpful in and of itself.
A DUI attorney has the negotiation skills and experience necessary to successfully navigate the plea bargaining process in fighting DUIs. Traffic attorneys who do not typically handle DUI cases cannot bargain as effectively because DUIs are a unique hybrid of traffic and criminal law. I cannot stress enough that having an experienced DUI attorney is the best way to increase your chances of getting a DUI reduced to reckless driving. It all depends on the facts and circumstances of your specific case.
Are You Facing a DUI Charge?
If you face a DUI charge and want to fight to get it reduced to reckless driving,contact meat Andrew Flusche, Attorney at Law, PLC, today. I have considerable experience in opposing traffic offenses to protect the rights of my clients. Furthermore, fighting DUI charges is one of my firm’s primaryfocus areas. As a result, I know the ins and outs of the rules surrounding DUIs in Virginia. With my experience on your side, you can rest assured that you are retaining counsel who knows how to avoid any bumps in the road that may arise during your defense. Don’t wait—contact my firmtoday for a free consultation!
