Torrance Wet Reckless Lawyer

Handling Cases in the South Bay and Beyond

If you’ve been charged with driving under the influence (DUI) in the state of California, you could be looking at some serious penalties. However, with an experienced Torrance DUI attorney like Robert Ernenwein by your side, some (maybe even all) of the possible penalties can be avoided. One method used is to bargain for reduced charges, such as a wet reckless charge.

What Is A ‘Wet Reckless’ Charge?

A wet reckless is not necessarily what it sounds like in that you need not actually have been driving visibly recklessly for the charge to apply. Basically, a wet reckless means that you were “reckless” in your decision to drive with a blood alcohol content of more than .08 or while under the influence of drugs.

Comparing The Penalties For Wet Reckless Vs. DUI in California

It is important to bear in mind that a wet reckless charge is still a misdemeanor, and as such, comes with its own list of penalties. However, as rough as those penalties may be, they are still not as bad as the penalties you may be facing with a DUI charge:

First-Time DUI Offender

*Does not include Penalty Assessment fees (typically ~$2,000)

Second- Or Third-Time DUI Offender

*Does not include Penalty Assessment fees (typically ~$2,000)

Aside from the two most notable differences in county jail time and the fine amounts, the differences in probation periods and mandatory license suspension periods make a wet reckless conviction worth pursuing over a DUI conviction.

For example, a common rule when you are on probation is that you are not allowed to drive with any amount of alcohol in your system. If you were to violate this rule, you will be said to have violated probation, and as a result may face more jail time, fines, and may even have to re-start your entire probation period all over again.

Likewise, having a prior DUI conviction on your record means that a second DUI charge within a 10-year period will result in much harsher penalties than the first time around, such as up to one year in county jail, three to four years of probation, a two-year suspension of your driver’s license, and 18 months of alcohol education classes. If you’re facing a second or third DUI offense, the benefits of pleading to a wet reckless greatly outweigh the disadvantages.

And, yes, there are disadvantages, but here’s the good news: They aren’t any worse than the disadvantages associated with a DUI conviction.