Should You Plead Guilty to OWI?

 If you have been pulled over and arrested for drunk driving, it’s easy to feel like you have been caught red-handed and have no other option but to plead guilty to the charges against you. It’s important to remember that you should always discuss your options with an attorney before pleading guilty to any crime, as there are often ways that a lawyer can help bring your case to a more favorable outcome than you would be able to obtain on your own. To discuss your legal options with a lawyer, contact our office today.

What is a Plea Bargain?

A plea bargain occurs when the prosecuting attorney agrees to reduce the charges you are facing or recommend a more lenient sentence to the judge in return for a guilty plea. While a plea bargain does not entirely erase what has happened, it can make the consequences much less serious. In some cases, a plea bargain may even be able to prevent you from having a criminal record at all. Plea bargains are also attractive to prosecutors because they save time and money. 

OWI Plea Bargains Are Challenging

A plea bargain might sound like the perfect solution to your legal problems after being arrested on an OWI charge. However, a prosecutor does not just grant plea bargains to everyone or on a whim, and they are not required to offer them at all. They need a valid and beneficial reason for offering a plea bargain, and by hiring an OWI defense attorney from the Cohen Law Offices, you are more likely to receive a plea bargain. No case is airtight, and by pointing out weaknesses in the prosecution’s case against you, your attorney can give the prosecutor good reason as to why they should provide you with the option of a plea bargain.

The Plea Bargain Process

After an OWI charge, your first hearing is called an arraignment, and you have the option of entering a plea at this time. In the majority of cases, however, pleading guilty at the arraignment is not the best course of action. If you do not enter a plea, a new court date will be set. Between these two hearings, your OWI defense attorney will have time to review your case for factors that may cause the prosecutor to offer a plea bargain.

At any time, your attorney can contact the prosecutor, pointing out the weaknesses in their case to begin negotiations for a plea bargain. After your attorney successfully negotiates a plea deal with the prosecutor, they will present the offer to you. You have the opportunity to accept or reject the deal with the help of your lawyer.

Seek a Plea Deal with the Help of an Experienced Lawyer from the Cohen Law Offices

The experienced attorneys at Cohen Law Offices know how stressful an OWI charge can be. We work diligently to seek plea deals whenever appropriate. To schedule an appointment with one of our lawyers, call Cohen Law Offices today at (715) 514-5051.