If you've been charged with Driving Under the Influence (DUI) in California, you might have come across the term 'wet reckless plea.' This plea involves you admitting guilt to reckless driving with a record annotation indicating the involvement of drugs or alcohol - hence, a 'wet' reckless plea. While this isn't a distinct category of offense under California law, it could affect your criminal record.

Read on to learn more about this option. Then contact Law Office of Michael L. Fell at (949) 585-9055 to request a free legal consultation with an attorney.

Securing a Wet Reckless Plea – The Process

A plea agreement, such as the wet reckless plea, is an arrangement between the accused and the government prosecutor. The prosecutor waives the trial proceedings, making conviction and sentencing less complicated. In return, you usually accept guilt for a less severe offense with potentially reduced penalties. This process shields you from the uncertainties tied to a trial for a severe crime.

The court also has a say in the plea agreement, typically granted via a judge. After the defense and the prosecution settle on terms, the court's approval is usually a formality. To ensure a favorable plea agreement, it's advisable to hire a seasoned criminal defense attorney.

Advantages of Opting for a Wet Reckless Plea

With a wet reckless plea, the offense you're penalized for shifts from DUI to reckless driving. Though reckless driving in California comes with penalties, they are generally less severe than those for a first-time DUI. These might include 5 to 90 days of jail time, a fine between $145 and $1,000, mandatory DUI education, and one to two years of summary probation.

In a wet reckless conviction, all these penalties are typically milder than those for a first-time DUI conviction. The DUI education course duration, for instance, is significantly shorter. In the long run, a wet reckless conviction could save you money by reducing fines and potentially averting jail time.

Potential Drawbacks of a Wet Reckless Plea

One downside to a wet reckless plea is that if you face another DUI charge in California, your prior conviction counts as a 'prior' offense. Since California's penalties for subsequent DUI convictions escalate swiftly, you need to exercise caution during the ten-year lookback period post a wet reckless plea.

Even though a wet reckless conviction might not necessitate an automatic driver's license suspension, the Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) could impose penalties. Following a DUI arrest, you have a ten-day window to request an administrative per se hearing with the DMV. To retain your license, winning this hearing is crucial, independent of any plea agreement.

Additional implications of a wet reckless plea could include an addition of two points to your driving record and increased car insurance rates. Therefore, it's crucial to consult a proficient legal defense team to ensure a wet reckless plea suits your specific circumstances.

Are you contemplating a wet reckless plea following a DUI arrest? For a free, no-obligation consultation, reach out to Law Office of Michael L. Fell at (949) 585-9055.