If you are arrested and charged with driving under the influence in Illinois, you may think that your life is over, given the myriad consequences that can come with a DUI conviction. However, all is not immediately lost, especially if you are a first offender. It is possible to plead a DUI charge down, and the most common offense charged under a plea bargain is reckless driving. That said, that course of action is not without its potential hazards, and having an experienced DUI attorney on your side is crucial.
Why Bother To Plead?
A DUI is treated as a very serious charge, even for a first offender, because of the potential dangers it poses to so many different people. The court may be reluctant to accept a plea agreement for this exact reason, as it is seen as critical that those who drive under the influence are held accountable for their actions. However, if a plea bargain might be possible, reckless driving is a charge that many prosecutors will accept.
It may seem counterintuitive or even pointless to try and plead a DUI down to a reckless driving charge, because both offenses are Class A misdemeanors, punishable by fines up to $2,500 and up to 364 days in jail. However, if you are in a position where a plea bargain is possible, pleading to a charge of reckless driving has decided advantages to being convicted for DUI.
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