What is a Plea Bargain?
Often I'm asked what is a Plea Bargain, what can you get my DUI reduced to?
The answer is not simple during a consultation as I would have to review the DUI case to determine the strengths and weaknesses of the government's case. First off, I'm always looking for some reason to have the case thrown out: bad stop, bad arrest, coercion, etc. If we are unable to find an issue worthy of a dismissal we start looking for issues which may make the case more difficult to prosecute. After looking at all the issues and speaking with a prosecutor about those issues, we can normally reach a resolution.
If we are unable to reach a resolution of the matter we always set our cases for trial. However, before we have a jury trial, we would ask the court to set a CrRLJ 3.6 hearing (a hearing to suppress evidence). This is a hearing wherein we can challenge the admissibilty of evidence and if we are able to establish some issue the judge may make a determination to dismiss the case entirely or suppress evidence. If your DUI attorney has never conducted a Motions Hearing, then unfortunately they simply don't have the experience or expertise to handle a DUI arrest in Washington state. I have literally conducted hundreds of these cases and just last month was able to convice a judge to suppress a Breath Test due to some protocol violations by the officer.
If we do reach a plea bargain here are some common reductions: Reckless Driving, Negligent Driving in the First Degree or Second Degree or Reckless Endangerment. Each of these plea bargains comes with some fine and may have a license suspension so be sure and ask your DUI lawyer what impact it will have upon you if you accept.
If you or someone you know has a DUI arrest, give us a call today for superior representation (425) 522-4200.
