Being convicted of DUI has serious consequences. If this happens to you, you can expect to have your car insurance rates go up, you might have to spend some time in jail, and there will be fees and costs that have to be paid. That said, there are things you can do to minimize these consequences and come to satisfactory results in your case. A conviction is not a foregone conclusion, and you should take an aggressive position for your defense so the results make sense. A common outcome is one where the defendant makes certain agreements with the prosecution, in exchange for a reduction in the charges at the end of the case. But getting to this point will be different for every case, and will depend on the specific facts of your case.
Three things you can do to try and get a DUI charge reduced are:
- Enter a plea, which usually includes going on probation, with the agreement that at the end of the probationary time period the charges are reduced. Most times the probation for a DUI includes having an interlock device installed in your car, and the requirement that you do not get any more tickets or have any more arrests while on probation. If you are able to successfully complete your probation, the DUI charge can be reduced to something less severe at the end of your case. The exact charges you end up with depend on your case, and one big factor is whether this is your first offense.
- Prepare your case for trial, and give compelling evidence to the prosecution so that they are left with no choice other than to offer to reduce the charges. This might include pointing out errors in the breath test, and most often is part of the negotiation process that ends with the defendant going on probation.
- In rare cases it might be possible to provide another reason for the test result, such as a medical condition or another substance that gives off a false positive.
These are not the only options at your disposal, and it takes a full investigation to come up with a defense strategy that will work for you. For help developing an effective DUI defense, call us today.
If you have questions about how to get a DUI charge reduced, call a competent criminal defense attorney in Stuart and the Treasure Coast for help. Call us to schedule an appointment.