One way to avoid the high costs and penalties of a DUI conviction is to get the charge reduced to reckless driving. Whether or not to reduce a charge has nothing to do with the Judge, it is between your criminal dui attorney and the State Attorney. Regarding your chances for a reduction to a reckless driving, consider the following.
- State Attorneys want to win at trial. Or more accurately, they do not want to lose at trial, and
- State Attorneys want convictions, all things else being equal.
- State Attorney’s consider the clients past history during negotiations.
If the State Attorney loses at trial, he will also lose his conviction. If the prosecutor fears the possibility of losing your case at trial, then he will be more willing to negotiate a good deal.
Accordingly, it is important the you choose a Tampa DUI Attorney with the reputation of actually going to trial. If the State Attorney knows the dui lawyer does not go to trial, then the State will less fearful of actually losing at trial, and will be less likely to negotiate a favorable deal. Sometimes the threat of going to trial is enough of a bargaining chip to secure the reckless driving reduction you need.
Likewise, if the prosecutor is concerned that he will lose a motion to suppress or a motion to dismiss, he will be more likely to negotiate a reduction of the charge. Losing the motion could mean the prosecutor loses the case, and his conviction.
Finally, remember that a client’s past is an important factor in the State’s decision to reduce the case. If the client has been convicted multiple times before for other DUI charges, the State Attorney is more likely to roll the dice and take his chances at trial.
Contact a DUI Attorney in The Tampa Area Today
If you have been charged with DUI and are seeking a reckless driving reduction, contact Denmon & Denmon Trial Lawyers at 813-554-3232 (Hillsborough) or 727 -753-0049 (Pasco or Pinellas) to discuss your case. Ask to speak directly to an attorney.
