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When Should You Consider a Plea Bargain?
The Holiday season is a time for friends, family and festivities. For some, the holiday festivities call for alcoholic beverages. Those who plan on having a few drinks may want to stay over or plan a sober ride home. People should avoid operating a vehicle while intoxicated.
Overall, the number of fatalities due to intoxicated drivers dropped by 4% in 2018. Hopefully, the amount of alcohol involved accidents continues to decline.
People Make Mistakes
Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Years are among the most dangerous holidays. A number of drunk drivers hit the road before, after and during those three holidays.
If you do find yourself being pulled over under suspicion of drunk driving, remember these three tips:
Stay calm and speak politely to the law enforcement official.
Give the officer your license, vehicle registration and other documents they request.
Pay attention to the officer’s actions and take note of any behavior you think may have been unnecessary or wrong.
You do not have to speak with the officer regarding how much you have had to drink. You can tell the officer that you will be exercising your right to remain silent.
Of course, you realize that driving while intoxicated was a mistake. You are facing harsh punishments for your actions. Now, it may be time to reach out to an experienced attorney.
The Consequences of A Drunk Driving Charge
Generally, a first-time offender will face less severe consequences than a repeat offender. The consequences include:
One year or less of jail time
A maximum of $3,000 in court fees
Two-year driver’s license suspension
In an attempt to mitigate the penalties of a DUI charge, you may consider a plea bargain. Your attorney will work with the prosecuting attorney to get the best outcome for you based on the circumstances and the severity of the charges against you.
Could You Benefit from A Plea Deal?
In many cases, plea bargains are offered to those charged with a crime. Here are some benefits of plea bargains:
Avoiding jail-time
Reduction of charges
Avoiding court and uncertainty
Keeping the charges out of the public eye
Almost 90% of all criminal charges end with a plea deal. A plea bargain may or may not be right for your situation.
Having a legal advocate fighting for your rights may be the best thing for you. Hopefully, you can acknowledge your decision to operate a vehicle while intoxicated was poor.
If someone was injured due to your driving, you might be facing severe charges.