Reducing A DUI Charge To “Wet Reckless”

 

What is a Wet Reckless?

 

In some cases where our client’s have been arrested and charged with a DUI, we may be able to negotiate a settlement where the DUI charge is dismissed and replaced with the lesser offense of “wet reckless”. The wet reckless charge, found in California Vehicle Code §23103/23103.5, implies that you were driving recklessly and that alcohol was involved.
This charge has many advantages over a DUI and your Mission Viejo DUI attorney can be successful in getting wet recklessthis deal. Typically, a skilled Mission Viejo DUI lawyer can get a DUI reduced  if they exposes significant weaknesses in the case against you and the DA would rather settle the case than take a chance on losing at jury trial. Also, if your blood-alcohol level was low, your Mission Viejo DUI attorney can threaten to bring a “rising defense”. This will often be enough to force the DA to offer a reduced charge.

Advantages of a Wet Reckless

 

  • No Mandatory Jail Time: Even if you have one or more prior DUI’s within the past 10 years, if you plead to a wet reckless there is no mandatory jail time.

 

  • No DUI Conviction on Your Record: The wet reckless is a simple traffic offense and usually does not need to be disclosed on job applications, rental applications, and professional licensing applications.

 

  • Shorter Probation Period: If you are convicted of a DUI you will be placed on probation for three to five years. mission viejo dui attorneyThe probation period for a wet reckless is usually between one and two years. This is important for two reasons. First, while you are on probation you are subject to jail time if you violate your probation. Second, being on probation will show up on a background check. Thus, the quicker you are off probation the better.

 

  • Reduced Fines: While court fines for a DUI are typically around $2,000.00, the court fines for a wet reckless are substantially lower. (Usually between $400.00 and $1,200.00)

 

  • No Mandatory License Suspension: There is no conviction suspension for a wet reckless. If you are convicted of a DUI the court must report this conviction to the DMV which will, in turn, suspend your driver’s license. Conviction for a wet reckless requires no such conviction suspension. WARNING: If your blood-alcohol was over a .08% and you either lost your DMV hearing or didn’t request a DMV hearing, then the DMV will issue an APS suspension which will be the same length as a DUI suspension. Therefore, the only way to avoid a suspension altogether is to win at the DMV.

 

  • Shorter DUI School (Alcohol Program): Conviction for a first-offense DUI requires that you complete a three, six or nine month alcohol program. A DUI conviction with priors requires an 18-month alcohol program. But a wet reckless conviction only requires a six-week alcohol program.

Wet Reckless Counts As A Prior DUI For Sentencing

There are many benefits to the wet reckless plea. However, it is important to remember that a wet reckless plea wet recklesswill be considered as a “prior offense” if you are charged with a DUI in the future. For example; If you plead to a wet reckless now and three years later you are arrested again for DUI, the wet reckless conviction will be considered a prior DUI offense for sentencing purposes and the new DUI will be punished as a second offense.
The wet reckless is not something that is regularly offered by the District Attorney. It takes a skillful Mission Viejo DUI attorney to negotiate this plea. Moreover, the District Attorney is much more likely to offer this plea to an attorney with a winning trial record.

Free Telephonic Consultation With A Mission Viejo DUI Attorney

Attorney EJ Stopyro offers a free telephonic consultation. He will explain the charges as well as any mitigation or possible defense and help you explore your options. The call is entirely confidential. Call us today at (949) 278-6353 to discuss your chances of getting your DUI reduced to a wet reckless.