Are You Considering a Plea Bargain for Your Sacramento DUI? What You Should Know
Have been arrested for a DUI in Sacramento? Are you wondering if there are options to going to court? Or, a way to get your DUI reduced to a lesser charge? Fortunately, the state of California allows plea bargains for DUI charges, so you may never need to step in a court. Our DUI lawyers in Fresno will discuss some of the things you need to know about getting a plea bargain for your DUI.
Before You Get a Plea Bargain
Before you even need to worry about a plea bargain, you need to get out of jail. You might be able to do that for yourself or enlist a friend or family member to get you out. You can also contact a criminal defense lawyer in Fresno to get you out of if you prefer.
You’ll find the address of jails in Sacramento listed below:
Sacramento County Main Jail
651 I Street,
Sacramento, CA 95814
Sacramento Inmate locator: https://www.sacsheriff.com/inmate_information/
Sacramento County Sheriff Department
700 N 5th Street,
Sacramento, CA 95811
California Corrections Department
8455 Jackson Rd # 150,
Sacramento, CA 95826
cdcr.ca.gov http://inmatelocator.cdcr.ca.gov/
What is a Plea Bargain?
A plea bargain is a deal you make with prosecutors to get your DUI or criminal charges reduced and minimize any penalties you face. Most criminal cases and DUIs are resolved through plea bargains because trials are costly and time-consuming. Prosecutors in Sacramento County sometimes agree to plea bargains because it frees them up to work in more important cases, but they are not obligated to offer you one, and the terms may not be as favorable as you had hoped.
As part of your bargain, you must plead guilty to a reduced charge depending on the circumstances of your case. Following are some of the reduced charges you may be offered:
Wet reckless- California Vehicle Code 23103.5 VC1
Dry reckless- California Vehicle Code 23103 VC2
Exhibition of speed- California Vehicle Code 23109(c) VC.3
Above are just a few of your plea-bargaining options, a criminal attorney in California can explain other reduced charges that may apply in your case.
If you are an immigrant, don’t accept a plea bargain until you speak with an immigration lawyer in Sacramento County to see if a guilty plea will affect your charges.
What the Consequences for a DUI Conviction?
A conviction for a first DUI can result in a six-month jail sentence, fines up to $3,600 and a six-month license suspension. Your job could be in the line because you are unable to drive back and forth to work. Your professional license is also on the line.
For a DUI conviction, you may be ordered to do community service and may have to install an ignition interlock device in your vehicle. You’ll see a dramatic rise in your auto insurance, and you’ll have points applied to your driver’s license.
First Step to a Deal
A judge must agree to the terms of a plea bargain before it is final. You, the prosecution and a judge can discuss the agreement either by phone or in a judge’s chambers. During this pretrial meeting, a judge will tell you what penalties you face if you plead guilty, so you can decide if it’s the best option for you.
You Can Beat a DUI with a DUI Attorney in Fresno
A plea bargain is not for everyone. With the right defense strategy, you may be able to avoid a DUI conviction in court, so a plea bargain may not be the best option for you. USAttorneys.com recommends you get a DUI attorney in Fresno to examine the details of your case and help you decide what course of action is better given the circumstances of your case.
