So you had a bit too much to drink and, despite your better judgment, decided to drive home anyway. After all, home is just a short drive from the bar where you stopped off after work to have a few drinks with a friend. What could possibly happen in the short time it takes to get from your favorite local drinking spot to your house?
In fact, quite a lot can happen when you decide to drive yourself home after having just one drink too many. You could get pulled over. You could get a DWI. If you are charged with a DWI (Driving While Intoxicated) in Suffolk County, the very first thing you should do is seek the services of a qualified and experienced criminal defense attorney. A DWI is a serious criminal offense, and any conviction that results from this charge will lead to a permanent criminal record.
Having this permanent smudge on your otherwise exemplary record could adversely affect your professional reputation, your career, and even your livelihood. However, just because you have been charged with a DWI this does not mean that there are not legal options available to you. Even if you accept your guilt in the case, this does not mean that you must also accept the charges as they stand.
One option that may be available to you as you proceed through your DWI court proceedings is a plea bargain. A plea bargain is a deal with the court that allows you to plead guilty to a lesser offense than the one you are being charged with. A plea bargain can work even if there is a mountain of evidence available to prove your guilt.
If you are headed to court for your first DWI, for example, you could be offered a plea of DWAI (Driving While Ability Impaired) instead of DWI. Whereas DWI is a criminal offense, DWAI is not. By taking a plea bargain for this lesser charge, you will avoid a criminal record. This is good news, not only for your present legal predicament, but also for your future prospects.
Of course, a plea bargain is not something that you are going to be able to negotiate on your own, so it’s best that you abandon all thoughts of self representation sooner rather than later. For the best possible outcome to your case, you should work with a defense attorney who is familiar with the complexities of the Suffolk County legal system. If you have questions about your DWI charge and would like to discuss your legal options, contact the DWI experts at Naiburg, Obedin and Weissman.