Atlanta DUI Plea Bargain

If you have recently been charged with driving under the influence (DUI) in Atlanta, you may be offered a plea bargain. A plea bargain is an arrangement between you and the prosecutor that may reduce your DUI charge to a non-DUI offense. You should hire experienced legal representation in order to learn if your case is eligible for a plea bargain.

In most DUI cases, a plea bargain is rare. However, a skilled DUI attorney may arrange one if it is in your best interest. During a plea bargain, you agree to plead guilty to a lesser offense. In exchange, the prosecutor may reduce your sentence or dismiss some of the charges against you.

The timing of the plea bargain is left up to your court and jurisdiction, though some courts will allow you to enter into a plea bargain after your arraignment. Even if your case makes it all of the way to trial, you can still get a plea deal.

If the evidence against you is strong, or your case involves personal injury or death, a plea bargain may be your best option. Generally, first-time offenders have the best chance of entering into a plea bargain. If the prosecution’s evidence against you is weak, the prosecutor may be more willing to negotiate a plea bargain.

A common plea bargain is to reduce the DUI to a reckless driving charge, which carries less serious penalties than a drunk-driving offense. However, you may still be required to attend mandatory alcohol education classes and receive alcohol evaluation and/or treatment. Your attorney can help you make the decision about whether or not you should agree to the plea bargain.

The benefit of reaching a plea deal is that the more serious DUI conviction will not show up on your record. DUI offenders may have problems finding affordable insurance coverage, if they can get any coverage at all. Finding employment with a drunk-driving charge on your record is also more difficult.

The Kohn DUI Defense Firm is ready to assist with your case. Our experienced defense attorneys have handled cases similar to yours and can discuss whether a plea bargain is an option in your case.

For a free DUI case evaluation, please call or submit your information online today.