Philadelphia Wet Reckless Lawyers

In Pennsylvania, there is a difference between the idea of reckless driving and the idea of wet reckless driving. When a person hears that they are being charged with reckless driving, they may mistakenly think that it is not that big of a deal. There have been instances where individuals chose not to appear in court, their court date comes and goes, the deadline to appeal the conviction passes, and then there is nothing that can be done to change their conviction. When a person fully understands what reckless driving is, when they understand what wet reckless means, and when they see the difference between this and a DUI charge, then they understand why it is imperative that they seek the assistance of a criminal defense attorney.

The Difference between Reckless Driving and Wet Reckless in Pennsylvania

Reckless driving is a term used in Pennsylvania to describe someone who drives a vehicle in willful or wanton disregard for the safety of people and property. In Pennsylvania, person who violates and is convicted of reckless driving will have a fine of $200.

Pennsylvania takes reckless driving seriously because it puts the lives of its citizens in jeopardy. Heavy fines and the possibility of jail time is seen as a deterrent to prevent people from driving recklessly. Reckless driving that leads to an injury can result in a minimum of 90 days behind bars and a fine of at least $1,000. If a person engages in reckless driving and it leads to someone losing their life, they may face a fine of up to $25,000 and may be sentenced for a minimum of up to 12 months.

“Wet Reckless” is where an individual is driving recklessly while they are under the influence of alcohol. Wet reckless is not as severe as a charge of driving under the influence. Since it is not as severe, it does not carry the same consequences. This is why if a criminal defense attorney is able to get a driving under the influence charge down to wet reckless, it may be in the best interest of the client to accept this lesser charge. Of course, they will need to weigh in all of the factors involved.

Factors a Prosecutor Will Consider When Evaluating a Wet Reckless Charge in Pennsylvania

There are several factors that a prosecutor will evaluate when determining whether or not to accept a plea of wet reckless. One thing they will look at is an individual’s blood alcohol level at the time of the arrest. How close was their blood alcohol level to the intoxication level of .08 percent?

Another factor that will be considered is whether or not the individual was involved in an auto accident and if they have previous DUI convictions. If a person has a criminal history or they have a number of traffic offenses, then a prosecutor may not accept the plea deal. This is also true if a person is facing additional charges, such as evading police, resisting arrest, or fleeing the scene.

Penalties for Wet Reckless in Pennsylvania

Wet reckless comes with the possibility of up to 90 days behind bars. There is a minimum fine of $200, and you get four points on your driving record. You may be required to visit an alcohol education center or receive alcohol treatment. It is also possible that your license will be suspended for up to six months for the first offense.

If a criminal defense attorney is able to get your plea down from a DUI to a wet reckless, you may be spared some of the long-term consequences that come with a DUI. Your license may not be suspended, you might escape having a DUI on your criminal record, and you may not have as hefty of fines to pay.

What are the possible DUI charges?

Driving under the influence is illegal in every state, but not all states carry the same laws regarding this crime. Each DUI arrest made across the country is treated individually, and the law is used to determine the penalties used to punish the guilty party. When you are arrested and charged with a DUI, you have a chance to enter a plea. You can do this yourself or you can have your attorney do this on your behalf. When you enter a plea, you tell the judge if you are guilty, not guilty, or you can plead no contest.

If you plead not guilty, the court is required to allow you a fair trial. You or your attorney can work to prove the fact you were not guilty, or you can work to prove the arrest was not properly handled so it’s dismissed and all charges are dropped. DUI penalties are serious across the country, but it’s nearly impossible to pinpoint specifically what penalties one person will face without knowing the details of their arrest.

Basic Penalties of a DUI Arrest

Everyone who is arrested for a DUI is going to face charges pursuant to state law in the state where the arrest occurred. Every state is different, but the penalties are very similar in most states.

– Jail time
– Fines
– Community service
– Mandatory court-ordered alcohol treatment program completion
– Mandatory ignition interlock device (IID)
– License suspension

These are the basic penalties. The amount of jail time, fines, community service, and the length of time you spend in treatment, with an IID in your vehicle, and with your license suspended depends on state law as well as the details of your arrest.

The penalties are usually less severe if this is the first time you are arrested for a DUI. If you’ve been arrested before, you face more serious charges. Fines go up for each arrest, jail time gets a little longer with each arrest, and the court makes decisions about the rest each time you are arrested and charged with a DUI. The more you’ve been charged, the more likely you are to find out your license is permanently revoked.

Additional Penalty Considerations

These penalties might not always be light if you are a first-time offender, either. There are circumstances in which you find being a first-time offender no longer matters.

– If you have a minor child in the car
– If you have an excessive blood-alcohol content level
– If you are not yet 21
– If you have a CDL
– If you injure or kill someone

Anyone with a minor child in the car is automatically punished more seriously for a DUI than someone who was alone or in the car with other adults. If you are not yet 21-years-old, you are also given different punishments. If you have a commercial driver’s license, you could lose it if you are arrested for a DUI. If someone is hurt or killed in an accident because you were driving under the influence, you are charged with a felony rather than a misdemeanor.

When you go to jail for a felony crime, you spend a lot more time in jail. The fines are higher, the family of the victim can sue you, and you might lose your license for a long time. You might also find it difficult to find employment with a felony record. Your entire life changes negatively if someone is hurt or injured in an accident because you were driving under the influence.

It’s also helpful to know the legal limit laws are not the same in every situation. Anyone who is underage is over the legal limit at .02 percent. However, some states have a zero-tolerance policy for any underage drinkers behind the wheel, and they don’t need to reach that level to have a DUI. Drivers with a CDL are above the legal limit at .04 percent.

The legal limit in every state is .08 percent, but it’s considered excessive at .15 percent in most states. if your BAC is above this limit, the penalties for your DUI are more serious based on the sheer amount of alcohol in your blood. Call a driver, ask a friend to take you home, or stay where you are.

Call an Attorney

If you are arrested and charged with a DUI, call an attorney who specializes in DUI cases. This is the kind of case you want to be handled professionally every step of the way. You have the right to an attorney, and it’s in your best interest to use that right and hire someone to work for you if you choose to plead not guilty in a DUI case. You have options, and an attorney is the best person to fight for your rights.