If you have been charged with a DUI, you may be able to reduce your charges through a plea bargain. This isn't always an easy route and can involve a fair amount of strategy. Here are three steps to take to possibly plea down your DUI to a lesser charge.

1. Don't Admit to Anything

When it comes to DUI charges, you should never admit to wrongdoing or guilt. Anything that you might disclose to the prosecution can give them ammunition to uphold a DUI charge. If there are details or specifics that you would like to disclose, be sure to do this privately with your attorney. Make sure to stick with your lawyer's strategy and stay quiet if targeted questions surrounding your DUI come up. This is the best way for no more information to get on the record.

2. Don't Force Your Case to go to Court

Plea bargains aren't something that always need to be offered and accepted in court. Your DUI attorney can work hard ahead of time with the prosecutor to secure a lesser charge that you can accept out of court. If there is anything in your case that is vague, such as how your arrest was handled, your lawyer can use this to fight for a plea ahead of time. If you can have a plea accepted before your court date, you can save yourself the time and money that would have resulted from a drawn out court case.

3. Be Fair and Take Your Lawyer's Advice

Don't be stubborn and try to have your entire case thrown out if there was some wrongdoing on your part. If you ask for a lesser charge such as reckless driving, this is far more likely to be considered by a judge than fighting all charges. If a plea bargain for a lesser charge is on offer, is it well worth your consideration to take this and get on with your life. Community service and probation might not sound like fun, but are better options than losing your case and being stuck with a DUI charge.

First time DUI offenders and those with a blood alcohol level just over the limit often times can have charges reduced. This is a much safer option than trying to fight a DUI and hope to be absolved of all wrongdoing. Pleading no contest to something like reckless driving is a solid option. Even though charges for other lesser charges still come with consequences, these are better than having a DUI on your record.

To learn more, contact a DUI attorney like Patricia K Wood Atty.