Posted by duijim in on November 8, 2023
Many times DUI charges can be reduced to what’s known as Wet Reckless charges, although even then they should not be taken lightly.
A Wet Reckless conviction may also result in fines and probation; however, unlike DUI charges which trigger license suspension automatically.
1. Fines
Prosecutors may offer DUI defendants a plea bargain to reduce their charge from DUI to wet reckless. This may occur if they feel your case against you is weak in some way – for example due to issues surrounding proof or low BAC levels.
Wet reckless convictions typically incur far lower financial fines than DUI convictions, due to misdemeanor classification versus traffic infraction status. Therefore, working with a DUI lawyer may help your drunk driving charge get reduced into wet reckless status in order to save on fines.
In many states, a wet reckless conviction will not automatically result in driver’s license suspension compared to DUI conviction. This could be hugely advantageous to you if you currently hold down employment and possess an impeccable record.
A wet reckless charge does not have the same adverse impact on your insurance premium as a DUI conviction, although individual circumstances will differ between states; to remain aware of how different laws impact your policy it’s essential that you consult with a DUI lawyer in your state.
An arrest for wet reckless can still carry serious penalties, so defending against this charge requires assistance from an experienced DUI attorney who can identify possible holes in the prosecution’s case and exploit them effectively. A wet reckless conviction carries all the same penalties as a DUI conviction, such as probation, community service hours, DUI School attendance and counseling requirements, fines and hefty hefty fines. Furthermore, for repeat offense purposes a wet reckless will be treated as a DUI offense. If you are facing Wet Reckless charges, contact an Atlanta DUI Lawyer from our firm immediately so we can start building your defense. The sooner we begin working on it, the higher your chance is of seeing your charges reduced or dropped altogether. How Long Could I Spend Behind Bars on a DUI Charge?
2. Legal Outcomes
When charged with DUI, prosecutors may offer to reduce it to wet reckless if they believe they can’t win in court. Unfortunately, this option doesn’t always exist and depends on state laws and the specific facts of each case.
Most states permit plea bargaining in DUI cases. Prosecutors tend to offer wet reckless deals when someone has no prior record or low blood alcohol concentration levels – particularly if this is their first offense.
Pleading guilty to wet reckless has numerous advantages, including not counting as a conviction and therefore not harming your professional license or reputation with employers or licensing boards. Furthermore, fines and jail time tend to be significantly reduced and alcohol education classes often last less time. Furthermore, most wet reckless cases don’t lead to license suspension–though you may still need to dispute an administrative suspension with DMV.
An individual convicted of wet reckless may not need to install an ignition interlock device on their vehicle as may be required with DUI conviction, yet can still cause irreparable damage to their driving record and cause insurance rates to increase significantly.
If you plead guilty to wet reckless, the court will likely place you on informal probation for at least 90 days. During this period, it’s your responsibility to obey all laws, avoid driving with any alcohol in your system and submit to all field sobriety tests as directed by the judge. Any violations could result in jail time of up to 90 days being added onto your sentence.
Becoming charged with DUI or wet reckless is a serious matter, with long-lasting effects for your life. But, if you use your experience and adjust your behaviors accordingly, a conviction should be seen as an opportunity for growth and transformation – not an immediate setback to life balance. Regaining equilibrium after conviction takes time and effort but is worth it; knowing you’ve altered your behaviors leads to better future.
3. Jail Time
Most often, those convicted of wet reckless will not face jail time as the penalties associated with it are considerably less severe than for DUI offenses. Common consequences for wet reckless convictions include mandatory court-ordered driver license suspension, reduced points on your driving record and attending alcohol safety education classes. Furthermore, you can seal or expunge such convictions from their record which can help maintain employment opportunities or finding new work in the future.
Chances of successfully getting a DUI charge reduced to wet reckless depend on multiple factors, including the nature and circumstances of the incident and any mitigating factors at play. For instance, prosecutors may be more willing to offer this type of plea agreement in cases involving first time offenders with low blood alcohol content readings who were given this option by their prosecutors.
Under certain circumstances, DUI cases can be reduced to wet reckless charges if the incident resulted in injury or death of any kind, because victim families will more readily accept your situation if the crime was less serious than expected.
Skilled defense attorneys will find ways to reduce your charges. Prosecutors, however, are only willing to agree to reduce it to wet reckless if they perceive that the evidence against you is weak; perhaps because they consider your BAC inaccurate or within its margin of error.
Decisions concerning plea bargains must not be taken lightly as they will have long-term ramifications on your criminal history. If your legal strategy leaves something to be desired, trial might be more suitable; so having an experienced reckless driving lawyer on your side is critical; they will provide an in-depth explanation of all charges against you as well as options available so you can make an informed decision whether or not accept a plea deal offer.
4. License Suspension
Dependent upon state regulations, a wet reckless charge may carry similar penalties as DUI penalties. You will likely be required to complete probationary service, complete alcohol counseling and attend DUI school – as well as paying hefty fines. Having such an arrest on your record can have adverse impacts on employment opportunities and insurance rates; be sure to speak with an attorney regarding how it would apply in your specific situation.
Plea bargaining is available in most states for DUI cases. Prosecutors typically agree to reduce a DUI charge to wet reckless if mitigating factors and/or lack of evidence support reducing it, such as having no previous criminal history, low BAC levels or being first time offenders. An experienced DUI lawyer may make this option realistic for their client.
Reducing DUI charges to wet reckless can have several advantages, including shorter probation terms and reduced mandatory DMV license suspension and education classes. Furthermore, certain conditions will prompt the DMV to assess two “negligent operator” points instead of four as is usually seen with DUI convictions.
Dependent upon the circumstances surrounding your case, whether a wet reckless plea is the ideal option will depend on its particulars. If you’re seeking to reduce your DUI to wet reckless in Atlanta, consulting with a knowledgeable DUI attorney is vital in exploring all available options and their consequences. Reach out to our firm now for a complimentary consultation session; with over 10 years’ worth of experience helping people fight DUIs across Georgia and nationwide we put that expertise to work for you – our office may be located in Atlanta but we represent clients from all across the US so can even come meet you at locations if necessary!