Washington State Reducing a DUI Charge

After being charged with driving under the influence, thinking of the worst case scenario is common. You may worry that you will be thrown in jail or lose your license. However, with an experienced Washington DUI defense attorney on your side, you may be able to have your DUI charge reduced.

The ideal resolution to your case is for your charges to be dismissed. There are several ways that this can occur. One is if the prosecutor believes that he or she lacks evidence for a conviction. Another is to have a judge dismiss the charge or the judge or jury to acquit you at a trial.

Your case may also be dismissed during a motion hearing. During this time, your attorney may file a motion to dismiss the case because of lack of evidence, a lapse in the statute of limitations, or other rights violations. If there was lack of probable cause for the traffic stop or arrest, your case may be thrown out during this stage.

Please bargaining is another option that may be used to have your DUI charges reduced. Your defense attorney may negotiate with the prosecutor in order to reach a plea deal, allowing you to walk away with a charge other than DUI. Most DUI charges are commonly reduced to reckless driving, reckless endangerment, and negligent driving in the first degree. A plea deal also allows you to avoid the penalties that accompany a DUI charge.

In some cases, you may be eligible for deferred prosecution. This means that Washington State agrees not to prosecute your case if you agree to enter an intensive outpatient alcohol or drug treatment program. You may need to agree to several conditions if offered deferred prosecution, so you should first speak with an experienced DUI attorney to understand what will be expected of you.

Don’t let a drunk-driving charge affect the rest of your life. The attorneys at Callahan law have years of experience with having cases similar to yours reduced or even dismissed altogether. By scheduling a consultation with an experienced DUI defense attorney, you can learn about what to expect from your DUI case.

Call Callahan Law today for a free consultation.