Drunk driving is a very serious crime. Besides severe punishment like jail time and fines, the consequences can be especially harsh in the long term. If you are charged with drunk driving in Maryland, you might be wondering if you should settle your case with a plea deal.
A plea deal is basically a process of negotiating the defendant’s criminal charges. In the context of drunk driving, you may plead guilty to “wet reckless” or an “open container violation” rather than a DUI. But should you use a plea deal to settle your DUI charge?
What you need to know about DUI and plea bargains
Before opting for a plea bargain to settle your DUI charges, it’s crucial that you understand these:
You will be accepting guilt
Entering a plea deal basically means that you will be admitting guilt to some sort of offense after all. While accepting responsibility for some actions may not be easy, a plea deal can be a great option if you want to avoid the uncertainties and the potential penalty that you are likely to face if you are convicted of drunk driving. On the flip side, however, a plea deal means that you will face the consequences of the crime you will be pleading guilty to. It also means that you will end up with a criminal record.
The decision to settle your DUI charge via a plea deal is entirely yours to make but it’s not one you want to make alone. Find out how you can safeguard your rights and interests while considering a plea deal for your DUI case.