What is a plea bargain for a DUI?

A plea bargain for a DUI in Washington is an agreement between a prosecutor and a defendant. In this agreement, the defendant agrees to plead guilty to a lesser charge in exchange for a more lenient sentence than they would have otherwise received. The prosecutor will usually agree to reduce or drop certain charges in exchange for the guilty plea. For instance, if a person is arrested for a DUI in Washington, they may be charged with driving under the influence and reckless driving. If they plead guilty to a lesser charge such as reckless driving, they may be able to have the DUI charge dropped and the sentence reduced. The prosecutor may also agree to a plea bargain in which the defendant pleads guilty to a lesser charge than they were originally charged with, like reckless driving. In a plea bargain, it is important to note that the defendant has given up their right to a trial and that they are pleading guilty to the lesser charge. There are no guarantees that the plea bargain will work as the judge is still the one that ultimately decides the sentence. Additionally, the defendant may still be subject to other penalties including suspension of their driver’s license, fines, and community service. Ultimately, a plea bargain is a viable option for those who have been charged with a DUI in Washington as it can reduce both the severity of the charge and the length of the sentence.

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