Possible plea deals in a Washington State DUI charge
Anytime a person is charged with a DUI there can be four possible options in their case. They can plead guilty as charged, they can set the case for trial, they can enter a deferred prosecution, or they can try and get the DUI charge reduced to a lower offense. This article will discuss the different plea deals that are available in Washington State and some of the usual sentences they carry.
In Washington State a first time DUI charge carries 1-2 days in jail, a 90-2 year drivers license suspension, a 1 year ignition interlock requirement, 5 years of probation, and the completion of an alcohol and drug assessment and any follow up treatment. In most cases a DUI Lawyer will try and get the DUI reduced to a lesser offense, specifically one that doesn't carry all the penalties and consequences of a DUI.
In Washington State there are three lesser charges a DUI can be reduced to. Now obviously this depends on the facts of the case, a persons criminal history, the breath or blood alcohol level, and of course the Prosecutor. But generally there are the reductions with sentences that are usually imposed.
Reckless Driving: This is a gross misdemeanor. Meaning it carries a max penalty of 364 days in jail and a $5000 fine. The same as a DUI. However there is not a mandatory jail sentence or fine. It does carry a 30 day license suspension and the completion of an alcohol and drug assessment and any follow up treatment. But instead of 5 years of probation you only need to stay out of trouble for 2 years.
Negligent Driving 1: This is a simple misdemeanor. Meaning it carries a max penalty of 90 days in jail and a $1000 fine. So its a completely lesser charge. It doesn't carry a mandatory jail sentence or fine. It also doesn't carry a license suspension. You would still have to complete the assessment and stay out of trouble for 2 years.
Negligent Driving 1: This is a traffic infraction. Its very rare to get a DUI reduced to this infraction, but sometimes it does happen. Since this is a traffic infraction it will not show up as a conviction on your record. It carries a $550 fine. However in some cases a good DUI Lawyer can accomplish this feat.
Typically on a first offense DUI that does not involve an accident and the breath or blood test is not extremely high, and the driver was cooperative and polite with the arresting officer Prosecutors tend to be more open and receptive to a plea deal. Often times reducing the DUI to either a reckless driving or a negligent driving 1. But again it depends on the facts of the case and whether the DUI Lawyer can strike such a deal.
In Washington State a first time DUI charge carries 1-2 days in jail, a 90-2 year drivers license suspension, a 1 year ignition interlock requirement, 5 years of probation, and the completion of an alcohol and drug assessment and any follow up treatment. In most cases a DUI Lawyer will try and get the DUI reduced to a lesser offense, specifically one that doesn't carry all the penalties and consequences of a DUI.
In Washington State there are three lesser charges a DUI can be reduced to. Now obviously this depends on the facts of the case, a persons criminal history, the breath or blood alcohol level, and of course the Prosecutor. But generally there are the reductions with sentences that are usually imposed.
Reckless Driving: This is a gross misdemeanor. Meaning it carries a max penalty of 364 days in jail and a $5000 fine. The same as a DUI. However there is not a mandatory jail sentence or fine. It does carry a 30 day license suspension and the completion of an alcohol and drug assessment and any follow up treatment. But instead of 5 years of probation you only need to stay out of trouble for 2 years.
Negligent Driving 1: This is a simple misdemeanor. Meaning it carries a max penalty of 90 days in jail and a $1000 fine. So its a completely lesser charge. It doesn't carry a mandatory jail sentence or fine. It also doesn't carry a license suspension. You would still have to complete the assessment and stay out of trouble for 2 years.
Negligent Driving 1: This is a traffic infraction. Its very rare to get a DUI reduced to this infraction, but sometimes it does happen. Since this is a traffic infraction it will not show up as a conviction on your record. It carries a $550 fine. However in some cases a good DUI Lawyer can accomplish this feat.
Typically on a first offense DUI that does not involve an accident and the breath or blood test is not extremely high, and the driver was cooperative and polite with the arresting officer Prosecutors tend to be more open and receptive to a plea deal. Often times reducing the DUI to either a reckless driving or a negligent driving 1. But again it depends on the facts of the case and whether the DUI Lawyer can strike such a deal.