DUI Sentencing Options

After you are arrested for driving under the influence or DUI, you have many DUI sentencing options. Typically, after you are arrested for the DUI, you are required to appear in court for an arraignment. At the arraignment hearing you have to enter a plea of not guilty, nolo contendere (no contest) or guilty. The DUI sentencing options vary by state law. According to Nolo, most states don’t require you go to jail for a first time DUI offense.

DUI Options Includes Plea Bargaining Which Includes A Reduced Sentence or Lesser Charges

DUI sentencing options are just that—options—and are not set in stone. Thus, you have a variety of options after you are arraigned. For instance, you can simply plead guilty to the DUI charge. However, you can try to plea bargain, also called sentence bargaining. When you plea bargain, you are working with the prosecuting lawyer to compromise on a lesser charge. Thus, in exchange for a lesser charge, you will enter a plea of guilty. This means that you may pay a fine or receive a reduced jail sentence.

After A DUI Conviction DUI Sentences Vary Based On Circumstances Involved

There’s a variety of DUI Sentencing options depending on the circumstances involved. For instance, if this is your first DUI conviction, you may have to pay fines, sentenced to alcohol treatment of probation. If this is a second DUI charge and you are on probation, it could be revoked.

The judge may include the use of a car ignition interlock device where you are required to breathe into the device before you can drive as part of your DUI sentencing option. The device works by testing the alcohol content of your breathe before permitting you to drive. However, if the DUI charge resulted in death or injury of someone the judge can impose a harsher sentencing option. This option can include incarceration in prison.

Seek Legal Help

Dealing with a DUI charge is extremely serious and complicated matter. Therefore, whether you are thinking about taking a plea bargain, planning to fight the charge or have already lost your case, you shouldn’t go through it alone. Thus, you should contact a defense lawyer. The lawyer will review the DUI charge and the circumstances involved. Then the lawyer will determine the best defense or sentencing option for you.