You've been charged with a DUI. The odds seem to be stacked against you. Your case is scheduled to appear before an Atlanta Municipal Court. Now what? Faced with the daunting reality of a DUI arrest and the resulting charges, you're right to be considering the facts of the situation; and while this may seem like an overwhelming situation, it can be made significantly easier with the help of a DUI defense lawyer on your side. In fact, when you align yourself with the right attorney, you can effectively take advantage of the fact that most courts in Georgia are eager to settle cases through plea bargains.
Whether right or wrong, Atlanta City prosecutors are incentivized to work out cases as quickly and easily as possible. Given the excess number of DUI arrests that are made in Atlanta, prosecutors can find it difficult to make their way through the many cases that are brought to trial. Accordingly, prosecuting legal professionals instead often opt to offer a plea bargain to the DUI defendant and his or her defense attorney. Whether the plea bargain involves waiving the defendant's jail time or drastically reducing it is a determination that is made through the negotiation process of a plea bargain.
The alternative sentencing that is offered to Atlanta DUI defendants, however, does not happen naturally. Rather, the successful establishment of a plea bargain requires the aggressive skills that only a top-notch DUI defense attorney can provide. Therefore, it is crucial that individuals who've been arrested immediately align themselves with a defense lawyer who is capable of negotiating the terms of a plea bargain that will best provide for a reduced period of driver's license suspension, jail time, or any other type of penalty of which the defendant might be at risk.
When a plea bargain is enacted, suddenly the worries that were plaguing you upon first being arrested will disappear. The efficiency of the process allows for a quick decision to be made, thus decreasing the tension felt when court trials are lingering and sentencing has been left unsettled. Rather than being made to anxiously await a judge's decision after the anticipated trial hearing, the defendant can avoid this period of indecision altogether and simply jump straight to the end stages of the case. Essentially, as soon the prosecutor has offered the defendant with a reduced set of charges (and corresponding penalties), the case can be officially brought to end.
For DUI defendants, plea bargains can offer an enticing alternative to the harsh penalties that would otherwise be felt from an ultimate DUI conviction. For example, individuals who submit to a plea bargain for DUI can instead by charged with a simple reckless driving charge and penalized accordingly. Typically, plea bargain agreements are given with a set deadline as defined by the prosecuting attorney involved in the case. As such, it is imperative that defendants work with a DUI attorney who can help them make the ultimate decision as to whether or not the bargain will be accepted.
It's important to recognize that the advantages that are offered through the plea bargaining process for DUIs will not be right for every defendant. Accepting a plea bargain is effectively giving up some of your rights as a defendant. While this is not bad in some cases, it can do more harm than good in certain scenarios. If you are unwilling to give up your right to pleading innocent, your right to trial by jury, your right to witness testimonials, or your right to appeal the judge's decision, then the plea bargaining method might not the best choice for you. All of these rights are automatically waived when a plea bargain is accepted.
There's no shame in questioning whether or not plea bargaining your case is the right decision for you. In fact, we encourage it. Weighing your options at this time is the best thing you can do, and we are here to provide you with all of the facts you need to do exactly that. Our Atlanta DUI attorneys are committed to helping you achieve the best possible results for your case, and if that means accepting a plea bargain then we will advise you accordingly. If we believe that your case stands a better chance when brought to trial, then we will accompany you to court. No matter what, we will stand by your side throughout the process, so don't wait to contact us today.