Getting pulled over for DUI in Laguna Hills is stressful enough, but it’s also the beginning of a lengthy legal process. You might be worried about the consequences of a DUI conviction, such as losing your driver’s license, hefty fines and fees, and jail time. There’s also the worry of a DUI conviction affecting your current and future career prospects. With all of these factors in mind, it’s always in your best interest to get a good Laguna Hills DUI lawyer on your side.
We believe that one bad mistake should not stay with you for the rest of your life. Everyone deserves a good defense and a chance at reducing their penalties so they can move on with their life. An experienced DUI lawyer can work to possibly reduce your sentence severity, get you a less serious charge, or even, in some cases, win your case completely. For a free case evaluation with a top DUI lawyer in your area, contact us today. Call (310) 862-0199 or fill out the Free Case Evaluation form to the right for a free consultation.
Is It Ever a Good Idea to Plead Guilty to a DUI?
In many DUI cases, the prosecutor will contact or meet with you and offer a deal in exchange for your pleading guilty. Although they will present this as a great “deal” you don’t want to miss out on, it’s rarely much of a deal at all. Most of the time, it’s no better than the standard penalty you’d face for DUI anyway.
Police officers may also pressure you to not go to court, saying your case will just be worse if you try to fight your DUI. Don’t let this scare you; remember that both prosecutors and the police department are not on your side. They are just trying to persuade you to give in quickly so it’s an easy win and one less case they have to deal with.
Always speak with a DUI defense lawyer before deciding anything. Much of the time, pleading Guilty will just rob you of the chance to improve your outcome. Instead, your lawyer can look at your case and tell you how it actually looks. You might be surprised to find out your case is not hopeless or as bad as it seems. For example, they may find that the breath or blood test you took was not carried out efficiently, getting it discredited, or they might be able to suppress key evidence from the prosecution if your rights were violated.
With a legal professional on your side who can point out weak spots, the prosecution may be forced to offer you a much better deal than they initially presented. We’ve seen many cases where charges or penalties are lessened—or charges are dropped altogether.
How Can I Get a DUI Reduced to Reckless Driving?
Reckless driving is one of the most common plea deals for DUI. Under a plea deal, you accept a lesser charge in exchange for certain penalties connected with that charge. Reckless driving still comes with penalties, but they are far better than those connected with a DUI conviction.
With a reckless driving charge, you’ll just face two points on your driving record, a $145 fine, and 12 hours of DUI school. There are no other penalties connected to it—meaning no license suspension, no jail time, and no other fees like with a DUI conviction.
To increase your chances of getting a DUI reduced to reckless driving, there are two main things you should do.
1. Show the prosecution they may not win.
The prosecutor’s job is to maximize the amount of convictions and punish offenders. That’s why their plea “deals” are rarely actually good deals. And they won’t hand out actually bargains unless they feel they have to.
This means you’ll need to fight hard to demonstrate to the prosecutor that it’s not worth it to take you to trial. The best way to do that is by following the next step.
2. Get a DUI lawyer.
Most of the time, it takes an experienced DUI lawyer to get a good plea bargain. A court-appointed lawyer is usually not enough to get a reckless driving deal. You’ll need a lawyer who routinely works on and defends DUI cases. They were build up your case leading up to a push for reckless driving.
To increase your chances of reducing your DUI charge to reckless driving, a DUI lawyer may employ tactics like:
- Finding out if your rights were violated during your arrest
- Challenging the legality of the traffic stop
- Pointing out police errors
- Finding inaccuracies or errors in breath or blood test results
- Providing evidence of explanations other than DUI
- Bringing in witness testimony to backup your defense
Prosecutors are usually juggling many different DUI cases at a time. If yours is supported by a DUI lawyer who suppresses prosecutor evidence and has demonstrated police procedure was improperly followed, they’re more likely to offer you a plea bargain to avoid dealing with the case further.
How Do I Choose the Best DUI Lawyer in Laguna Hills?
When it comes to DUI defense, you should be picky about the type of lawyer you hire. There are many attorneys who will take on DUI cases, but that doesn’t guarantee they actually have the experience and training needed to win cases.
To ensure you choose the best Laguna Hills DUI lawyer, look for someone who:
- Only takes on DUI cases and other related cases
- Has board certification (or some other type of specialized training) that has to do with defending DUI cases
- Will listen to your story with compassion and show interest in your case and your outcome
- Can offer you a free initial consultation
You may be tempted to take on your case yourself, but with a DUI conviction at stake, this is never a good idea. There’s nothing better than a professional with years of experience working DUI cases and knowing how to approach them for the best possible result.
Speak With a Laguna Hills DUI Lawyer Today
Don’t miss out on your chance at a better outcome after your DUI arrest. You need a great DUI lawyer who can get on your side and start working for your case. And we can connect you with the top DUI lawyers in your area for FREE. Call us today for a free case evaluation where we’ll go over the details of your case. Call (310) 862-0199, or fill out the form to the right to get started.
