Driving under the influence (DUI) charges are a common issue for people in all walks of life. A simple mistake at a business dinner or a birthday party could be enough to lead to DUI charges and years of personal and professional challenges.
Choosing to defend against the charges typically offers the best outcome. However, defendants also have the option of negotiating a plea bargain with the assistance of a defense attorney. A successful plea bargain could help DUI defendants avoid the most serious consequences associated with drunk driving convictions.
Do North Dakota prosecutors ever agree to reduce a DUI charge to a lesser offense?
Lesser charges could be an option
While some states do not allow for the reduction of DUI charges, North Dakota is a bit more lenient with certain DUI defendants, especially those facing first-time charges and those accused of offenses that do not involve injury to others. In some cases, such as when the prosecution’s evidence may not be especially strong, a defense attorney can convince the prosecutor to reduce the charges if the defendant pleads guilty.
A DUI defense attorney could help their client secure a reduction to a “wet” reckless driving offense. While still technically a misdemeanor crime, a reckless driving offense is less serious than a DUI and carries reduced penalties.
Reviewing what led to impaired driving charges with a skilled legal team can help DUI defendants evaluate different strategies. An attorney’s advocacy can be very valuable for those accused of impairment at the wheel. For those who don’t want to go to trial or who face an uphill battle due to the state’s evidence, a plea bargain could potentially be a reasonable solution.