Benefits of Getting Your DUI Charge Reduced to a Wet Reckless Conviction

If you have been charged with DUI, you may be considering just pleading guilty if you know you had been drinking before driving. However, there could be a better alternative to doing this. You may be able to get the charges reduced to wet reckless—a reckless driving conviction with less severe penalties.  

Six Ways a Wet Reckless Conviction Could Be Better Than a DUI

The prosecutor may be more willing to enter into a plea agreement for a wet reckless conviction if your blood alcohol content (BAC) was slightly below or higher than .08 percent. Being convicted of a wet reckless instead of DUI could help you in the following ways:

• No mandatory sentence enhancements. There are no mandatory sentence enhancements for a wet reckless conviction. This means that if you were convicted of DUI within the last 10 years, your sentence will not be increased if you now plead guilty to wet reckless.
• Shorter jail time. There is a maximum sentence of 90 days in jail for a wet reckless conviction. A DUI carries a maximum sentence of six months in jail.
• No automatic suspension of your license. While the Department of Motor Vehicles could suspend your license if you are convicted of wet reckless, there is no automatic suspension of your license as part of your sentence. With DUI, your license would automatically be suspended for six months if you did not refuse the blood test.
• Shorter time on probation. You will be on probation for an average one to two years if convicted of wet reckless. DUI convictions result in probation of two to three years.
• Less time in DUI school. For a DUI conviction, you would be required to attend a DUI class for three months. If you are convicted of wet reckless, you may have to attend this school for six weeks—if it is required at all.
• Less fines. The fine for DUI convictions range from $250 to $2,500. For wet reckless, the fine is generally $300.
   

If you’ve been charged with DUI, you need an experienced criminal defense attorney to help you obtain the best possible sentence for your case. Contact Easley Law Firm today at 888-386-3898 to schedule a free consultation with our experienced criminal defense attorneys.