The most common way to get a recent DUI reduced to a reckless driving charge is through a plea deal. This is sometimes called a “wet reckless”. In a wet reckless, the local prosecutor originally charges a DUI, but later drops those charges in exchange for the defendant pleading guilty to reckless driving.
Other factors that help increase chances of dropping DUI charges to a reckless driving offense include:
- Being a first-time DUI offender
- Improper conduct during arrest
- Voluntary efforts such as DUI school or an interlock device
- The defendant’s previous driving, arrest, or conviction record
- The defendant’s level of cooperation during the arrest and investigation
- Strong legal defenses against the DUI charge
Reckless driving is also a less serious misdemeanor offense than DUI or DWI, so the odds are significantly lower of serving any jail time for it.
Facing a DUI? Don’t Panic, Fight Back. Best Chances of Reduced Charges or Dismissal, Explained.
You made a mistake. A costly one, yes. But before fear and resignation cloud your judgment, understand this: a DUI charge is not an automatic conviction, and even the strongest cases have cracks. At FightDUICharges, we’ve seen countless clients facing seemingly impossible situations emerge with reduced charges or even dismissals. Why? Because we know the law, the system, and most importantly, how to fight for you.
So, what are your best chances of getting a DUI reduced to reckless driving or even dismissed altogether in 2024? Here’s the inside scoop, straight from the best Board Certified DUI defense lawyers:
1. Time is of the essence. The sooner you contact a top DUI lawyer nearby or take advantage of a free arrest review, the faster the attorney can start building a rock-solid defense. Every minute counts when it comes to preserving evidence, challenging procedures, and negotiating with prosecutors.
2. Don’t go it alone. Facing a DUI is intimidating, and the legal system is complex. Trying to navigate it yourself is like walking a tightrope blindfolded. An experienced DUI attorney is your safety net, someone who knows the pitfalls and can guide you every step of the way.
3. Understand your case’s strengths and weaknesses. Skilled DUI defense lawyers meticulously analyze every aspect of your arrest with a free review, from the initial stop to the field sobriety tests and breathalyzer results. Often, there are procedural errors, questionable evidence, or even shaky witness testimony that can be exploited to your advantage.
4. Plea bargains are powerful tools. Contrary to popular belief, a good local DUI attorney doesn’t just aim for dismissal. Preeminent local DUI lawyers are skilled negotiators who can leverage your case’s strengths to secure favorable plea bargains, potentially getting your DUI reduced to reckless driving or even a lesser offense.
5. Don’t underestimate the “human element.” Prosecutors are people too. We understand their motivations and can craft compelling narratives that highlight your remorse, cooperation, and commitment to making amends. This human touch can make all the difference in persuading them to consider leniency.
But what if you think you can’t afford a top-notch DUI attorney? That’s where FightDUICharges comes in. We’re committed to making powerful legal representation accessible to everyone. We offer flexible payment options and believe that financial hardship shouldn’t stand in the way of getting the best possible defense.
Remember, a recent DUI charge is not the end of the story. With the right legal team by your side, you have a fighting chance to minimize the impact and move forward. Don’t settle for anything less than the best defense. Contact FightDUICharges today for a free consultation and let us fight for the best possible outcome in your case.
Bonus Tip: Remember, every DUI case is unique. This helpful program guide provides general insights, but your specific situation might require a different approach. Don’t hesitate to reach out for a personalized assessment and discuss your case with our experienced team.
Utilizing arrest-specific defenses early on is the most effective way how to get a DUI dropped before court. Minimize the consequences for a first DUI, DWI offense. Getting arrested and charged with driving while intoxicated, or DUI is serious, even if this is as a first-time offender.
Based upon each driver’s own case information, there are many applicable legal techniques that work to get test evidence tossed out, DUI cases dismissed, or charges reduced to reckless driving. This is how the best local DUI attorneys get DUI charges dropped in every case.
Taryn J. White is a legal research specialist and DUI law news reporter. Her current accomplishments include helping those facing any driving under the influence arrest charges, get free online assistance in learning how to fight a DUI case for the best possible outcome.
So I have 4 total DUIs in my lifetime. The first 2 were 21 years ago in Illinois. The other one was in 2008 in a different state.
The most recent DUI charge was on 01/31/22 in Illinois. On this last DUI offense I have a CDL B license and I refused the BAC test. So my question is can or will the most recent DUI be reduced to a reckless driving?
I have hired a very good legal team. What are my chances as I am extremely worried about my livelihood. I quit drinking and active in AA and have completed all my alcohol treatment classes, does this help my case?
It will depends on what the court see on your record. Older DUI’s will fall off your record depending on the state. Stay on top of everything the court requires and always show up to court at least in business casual attire.
Got a DUI in North Carolina. But on the ticket it says I was a passenger in the car. I also got a speeding
doing 80 in a 65 hwy. The cop said he did not want to write me up. I was at police station for 2 hours. There were 4 persons in my car. He let one of my friends drive us home that night. Why did the police officer say I was a passenger?
I was convicted for owi June 9th, 2009. I was then arrested for owi Jan 23rd this year, but not convicted. This June 9th makes it 12 years since my first owi offense conviction. Could they still convict me for second owi, or do I have a good chance for getting the second owi reduced to a 1st offense?
I just want to know if there is any possibility to get a DWI charge dropped to a lesser offense after you have already pleaded guilty. Old case almost 7 years now.
I currently have a lawyer and she said the best she can do is get my bac lowered to a .14 from a .18 to avoid jail time and drop my possession of alcohol charge. I hope and believe with another set of eyes to look over my arrest and read over the police report there is a way it can all get dropped. It is my first DUI offense and I have not got in trouble with the lawyer ever since.
I was going through a small town in GA and a city police officer pulled me over. When he came up to my vehicle, I said officer what did I do wrong sir? He said you crossed the line. Sir, I replied to him, and said no I don’t think I did anything wrong. The officer stood there for a few minutes and ask me what was my problem.
I advised him that I had a situation with a sibling, and I just found out some things that I had been going through for a few days. I just want to see what the doctor will let the siblings know how severe the prognosis is going to be. I explained to him that I could not see the light at the end of the tunnel and I was doing the best I could do with myself.
I told him I am just going home to try to get to sleep and rest for a while, I’m having trouble sleeping with the circumstances, and I am not a drinker. I went on to say that I don’t know what you are doing, but I am tired and I want to go home.
The officer replied yeah sir, can you please step out of the vehicle and do you mind doing a few things that I will see if anything is wrong with you? I replied no problem at that point. The police office never mentioned anything about a breathalyzer test, an he did not smell anything on me. Next he said I am going to get you to do a few tests, and he instructed me to do the things that he requested. I did each one for him and he stood in front of me and said I am being arrested for DUI.
I said to the officer that I’m not impaired man, and asked him to let me get home since I am tired. Then I asked the officer what makes you think I am DUI? He never gave me a reason why I failed the test, and I am going to jail now. When replying to him, I said GD Officers I’m not doing a thing wrong, how are you doing charging me woth a DUI offense?
I was also charged with disorderly of conduct for cursing in front of a person who was on the other side of the road. It was a long distance from the man who had no clue what was said to the officer, and as I was handcuffed the police officer said that you get your a** in the back of the car. Then I replied you just used profanity to me, and you are not doing the right thing to me. The cop then tells me that what he said was in the biblical sense of The Bible, and what he said was okay to say.
This was so annoying with him stopping me in the first place, because I was just going home and feel like why are you doing something like this to me? Later I was booked for DUI and paid the bond. I refused to do admission to a urine test for the simple reason that I am doing nothing wrong to violate the law officer. I asked the cop why did he make it a point to backup and turn around to target me a few miles on my way home? That’s the time he finally let me know what was the answer is as to how I failed to pass the field sobriety test.
However, I was not given a clear answer by the arresting police officer, and I just want him to let me see what the evidence is against me for justifying DUI charges. The cop did not share the DUI evidence with me, and most of all I wasn’t doing anything illegal. So now I will wait and see the officer in court and for the court’s decision.
I know the cop who arrested me for DUI is not being fair. I will prove it and fight the DUI to get dropped and hopefully have a good chance of the DUI getting dismissed in court. I do need a good DUI defense attorney by me to provide a great job for me and get the DUI away forever. The police DUI arrest video will let you see the truth and how much I am not guilty of DUI or doing anything wrong.
Well, I wish you luck Jason because I got convicted for not even driving my vehicle. After I lost my brakes for a billionth of a gram of marijuana. Because I took one hit off a bowl 3 hours after I drove and Not under the influence. Before this I had 0 demerits on my license and now I am supposed to pay a fine and do a drug test and 22hrs of classes. I even had a witness the tow truck driver that never was allowed to testify in court for my trial and I never knew him before that night.
The officer lied under oath and the tow truck driver would have been able to tell the judge that he was on scene when the officer said he wasn’t and lied about a few other things. I was still convicted even after I appealed to the Supreme Court. Because I didn’t have a transcript, they found in favor of the lower Court and I’m completely innocent.
Can you get DUI charges dropped for a felony DUI offense case? I appreciate you writing this article and the rest of the website is also very good. I just want to know what my case chances are to win since I’m being charged with a felony DUI, and if DUI defenses that work to fight the charges are similar to misdemeanor DUI cases.
What are the chances or how can I get my DUI dropped to reckless if I already have a suspended license? When I got a DUI charge, it did not seem like a legitimate offense since I should not have ever been pulled over by police. This is due to what I felt was an unfair situation since I didn’t know my license was suspended in the first place for an unpaid ticket, even though I paid it the week earlier. So this fact alone driving with a license that shouldn’t have been suspended, is already a huge police error. I am wondering if you can get DUI charges dropped from my record if there were problems found with my arrest? My friend recommended your organization because last year you helped him get DUI charges to dropped while facing a second offense.
No matter what anyone might say, getting arrested and charged with driving under the influence, or DUI, is scary. I really hope getting first time DUI charges reduced or dropped is possible for me, since I know for sure there were flaws with my whole arrest situation. Also, is it possible to appeal DUI charges later somehow if I were to get convicted?
Thanks for the help in advance.
I was arrested on 11/2/2017 for DWI was not driving my jeep at the time of arrest I was sitting inside of my jeep on the side of a residential road trying to sleep off the effects of having a few too many beers with a friend that had come from out of town, when i was awaken by police officers and asked to get out of my vehicle.
I was never asked for my license or proof of insurance just get out of the vehicle and then they asked me had i been drinking and how much i said several beers and then they started to give me some tests and eventually i was arrested and transported to a county jail where i was given other tests and locked up until my girlfriend came and got me out the next day.
I was given a phone hearing and after that my license was suspended even before my court date had even came, I thought that you were supposed to be considered innocent until proven guilty. I hope my chances are good of getting DWI reduced to reckless driving or the case dismissed in court.
This is about exactly what the cops did to me.