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Pleading Guilty To A Wet Reckless Charge In Arizona

Arizona is one of the strictest states when it comes to drunk driving. Anyone charged with a DUI in Arizona will have to face a number of consequences. However, if you work with an experienced and qualified DUI defense attorney, the attorney can have the DUI charge reduced to a “wet reckless” charge in an effort to lessen the blow.

What Is “Wet Reckless”?

A “wet reckless” is the more common term used for a reckless driving charge that involves alcohol, hence the use of the word “wet”. It is the first of several reductions which a person suspected to be driving under the influence of alcohol may take advantage of. When someone attempts to plead guilty to a wet reckless, it is not likely to get them very far.

A wet reckless is usually offered to the offender as a plea bargain when their blood alcohol content is close to 0.08%. A wet reckless may also be used when there are holes in the prosecutor’s case, and they would rather obtain a conviction of a lesser charge than lose at trial.

Pleading Guilty To Wet Reckless

A wet reckless charge is defined under Vehicle Code 23103, which is technically a charge of driving recklessly. When someone pleads guilty to a wet reckless, they are actually pleading guilty to Vehicle Code 23103.

The charge of Vehicle Code 23103 is made “wet” by the fact that alcohol or drugs were involved in the incident.

Advantages And Disadvantages Of A Wet Reckless

Pleading to a wet reckless has its own advantages and disadvantages. Some of the Advantages of pleading guilty to a wet reckless are listed below:

  • There are no mandatory sentencing enhancements for a wet reckless charge, unlike in the case of a DUI. This means that if you have prior DUI charges within 10 years, and you now plead guilty to a wet reckless charge, the enhancements will not be added to the sentence.
  • There is a shorter jail term associated with a wet reckless charge as compared to a DUI. A wet reckless charge carries a maximum sentence of 90 days in jail, whereas a DUI charge carries a maximum sentence of 6 months in jail.
  • There is no automatic suspension of your license with a wet reckless. If someone pleads guilty to a wet reckless charge, and they did not refuse the chemical test, their license will not be suspended. However, that’s not the case when someone is found guilty of a first time DUI. However, the DMV may separately suspend their license, and the person will have to win at the DMV hearing to keep their license when offered a wet reckless.
  • The probation period for a wet reckless is generally 1 – 2 years, whereas it is between 3 – 5 years for a first time DUI.
  • When someone pleads guilty to a wet reckless, they may be saving money in terms of the fines they’ll have to pay.

Some of the Disadvantages of pleading guilty to a wet reckless are listed below:

  • A wet reckless charge serves as a prior within 10 years. It will enhance a sentence for any subsequent DUI charge.
  • Wet reckless charges and DUI charges are treated equally by insurance companies, so your insurance premiums will go higher. The insurance provider may even cancel your policy.

Contact Attorney Brian Sloan

If you need to have your DUI charges in Arizona reduced or dismissed, contact the office of Attorney Brian D. Sloan at 480-900-0384 or 602-900-0384 for a Free Consultation.

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Brian Douglas Sloan

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Why DUI Attorney Brian Douglas Sloan?

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4,200+ DUIs Successfully Defended

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“I am one of only a handful of Phoenix DUI Lawyers that focuses solely on DUI Defense representation.”

I have spent my entire career focused on Arizona DUI Defense representation, having personally defended over 4,200+ DUI clients in the past 19+ years.

If you’re looking for a divorce attorney, tax attorney, or civil attorney, I can comfortably say, "I’m not the one for you."

Coming up with traditional, as well as outside-the-box motions and defenses for my clients, often with good results, is the hallmark of my practice.

Lawyers that say they are "aggressive" or "will fight for you" are a dime a dozen. They use these phrases because they think people want to hear them. Being "aggressive" isn’t the same as being good and is often used to put on a show to hide the fact that they aren’t doing anything meaningful for the client.

The same is true for the lawyers claiming to do DUI Defense, Criminal Cases, Accident Cases, and Divorces. A Jack-of-all-Trades is a master of none! By handling all sorts of cases, they take away from their ability to truly focus on DUIs, and keep up to date on the latest changes in Phoenix DUI Defense Representation.

What I offer is intelligent, quality DUI Defense at an exceptional price.

I have not only taught other lawyers how to do DUI Defense Representation at statewide seminars, but I produced DUI Legal Guides used by defense lawyers across Arizona.

I am one of Arizona's most award-winning DUI Defense Lawyers, recognized nationally, including in a 2022 issue of USA Today.

There are no other private DUI Defense Lawyers in Arizona that have personally defended more DUI cases than I have. And as a bonus, I offer a flat rate for my legal services without any hidden charges. This guarantees that I offer some of the most competitive rates among all Arizona DUI Attorneys, while being the preeminent leader in the field of DUI Defense Representation.

Over the years, countless people have come to me after discovering that their first lawyer made a mistake, gave them false hope or false promises, or simply took their money and didn't do much to advance their case. And you would be surprised at how often this happens.

So, instead of wasting time and money on the wrong DUI Defense Attorney, do yourself a favor and get the proven and documented best DUI Lawyer in Phoenix and the surrounding areas of Maricopa County.

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