The main reason why you’d hire a DUI lawyer in Indianapolis is to help get your DUI charges dropped. While that may not be realistic, they may be able to get them reduced. It all depends on your case. The only way to know for sure is to call and talk to an experienced DUI lawyer in Indianapolis as soon as possible.
The Prosecutor May Not Be Willing to Entertain a Dismissal
It’s a prosecutor’s job to put criminals behind bars. If you commit a crime, including a DUI, you will be facing jail time. If the prosecutor feels they have a strong case, there’s no incentive for them to dismiss the charges. They may not be willing to reduce the charges either. Your DUI lawyer in Indianapolis will let you know what kind of reputation the prosecutor has. If they’re very strict they probably won’t entertain a dismissal. They may be determined to press the case to the fullest.
Your DUI Lawyer in Indianapolis May Be Able to Get the Charges Reduced
The goal of your DUI lawyer in Indianapolis is to get your charges dismissed. If they’re not able to do that, they’ll try to get the charges reduced. They’ll try to poke holes in the State’s case and get evidence tossed out. They’ll look to see if the breathalyzer test was properly administered. They’ll also look to see if the traffic stop was lawful. If your case is strong enough, the prosecutor may be willing to reduce the charges. It all depends on the facts of your case. It also depends on your criminal record. If you have prior convictions for DUI or any other crime, it’ll be harder to convince a prosecutor to reduce or dismiss the charges.
You May Be Able to Plea to a Wet Reckless
If you’re arrested for DUI, the only option you really have for a reduced charge is reckless driving. Many people refer to this as a “wet” reckless because, technically, you were drinking alcohol prior to your arrest. There is no promise that the prosecutor will offer this plea in your case. They limit these cases to those where the defendant’s blood alcohol concentration (BAC) is right over or under the legal limit of .08. It’s the only plea the prosecutor can offer you without your being convicted of DUI. Just keep in mind, if you have prior convictions for DUI, a wet reckless will not be available to you. Even if you have prior charges but no convictions, the prosecutor may not want to make this offer. They’ll be afraid that you have no respect for the drunk driving laws since you’ve been arrested for DUI before.
There are Benefits to Avoiding a DUI Conviction
Obviously, nobody wants to be convicted of DUI. There are times when you hovered right over the line as far as your blood alcohol concentration is concerned. If this is the case, your attorney may be able to get your charges reduced or dismissed. If you take advantage of the prosecutor’s offer to plead guilty to a wet reckless, you’ll still face serious penalties. However, it won’t be anywhere near as bad as if you’re convicted of DUI. Some of the benefits of pleading guilty to reckless driving include the following:
- No conviction for DUI on your permanent record
- You won’t be at risk of losing your professional license
- You won’t be facing as much jail time (or any time at all)
- The fined will likely be much lower
- You won’t have to worry about installing an ignition interlock device
Knowing how much a difference this sort of plea can make, you really want to have an experienced DUI lawyer in Indianapolis there to walk you through the process.
You Should Call a Seasoned DUI Lawyer in Indianapolis
Anybody who has been through the ordeal of a DUI trial will tell you it’s not a good idea to try to do it by yourself. Having a seasoned DUI lawyer in Indianapolis by your side can make all the difference in your case. Of course, there’s never a guarantee when it comes to a criminal case. In fact, your lawyer may tell you upfront that there’s no way they can get the charges dropped. But that doesn’t mean they won’t be able to get you a better outcome than you’ll get on your own. Knowing how much is at stake should be enough to convince you to call an experienced DUI lawyer in Indianapolis.
