Were you charged with a DUI/OVI in Cincinnati, Ohio? If so, you may be able to get your criminal charge reduced to avoid the harsh penalties associated with a DUI conviction. The Cincinnati wet reckless lawyers at Suhre & Associates, LLC can help you negotiate with the prosecutor to get a fair result.
Our Cincinnati criminal defense attorneys have over a century of combined experience defending people charged with DUIs. Our legal team includes a former prosecutor and a law enforcement officer, which gives us unique insight into how each agency thinks – and we’ll use that knowledge to your advantage.
Contact us today at (513) 333-0014 to learn more about how we can help you after being charged with a DUI/OVI in Cincinnati, OH. We’re available 24/7 and offer a free consultation.
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How Can Suhre & Associates, LLC Help You Reduce a DUI to a Wet Reckless?
The consequences of a DUI/OVI conviction can be severe, even if you’re a first-time offender. If you’ve been charged with drunk driving, you need a fierce legal advocate in your corner fighting for you.
The Cincinnati DUI lawyers at Suhre & Associates, LLC have over 100 years of combined experience helping clients get their DUI charges dismissed, reduced, or acquitted.
We know how to get the best possible outcome in your DUI case – including pleading to a lesser wet reckless charge if it’s beneficial to you.
When you hire us to represent you in your DUI/OVI case, we’ll:
- Thoroughly investigate the evidence against you to determine any weaknesses in the prosecution’s case
- Devise a DUI/OVI defense strategy tailored to your case’s specific facts and circumstances
- Explain your legal options and ensure you understand the consequences of each
- Negotiate with the prosecutor on your behalf to get your charges reduced or dismissed
- Aggressively advocate for you in court if your case goes to trial in Hamilton County
Don’t try to handle your DUI case alone. Get help from a legal team with decades of experience defending these types of cases. Call our Cincinnati DUI attorneys today for a free case evaluation so we can start building a strong defense on your behalf.
What is a Wet Reckless in Ohio?
Most states label the offense of driving under the influence as a “DUI” or “DWI.” However, Ohio charges it as operating a vehicle under the influence of alcohol or drugs, or an “OVI.” These terms are all interchangeable and mean the same thing.
If you are charged with an OVI in Ohio, in some cases, the prosecutor may offer a plea deal for reckless driving, which is a lesser charge. A wet reckless refers to when you plead guilty to reckless driving to avoid facing a harsher DUI conviction.
The state of Ohio doesn’t have a specific law involving reckless driving and alcohol. Therefore, you won’t be charged with a “wet reckless.” The charge will be reflected as reckless driving on your record.
How Can You Reduce Your DUI/OVI Charge to a Wet Reckless in Ohio?
Whether the prosecution offers or accepts a wet reckless plea deal depends on the facts and circumstances of your case.
However, certain factors may make a prosecutor more likely to accept a wet reckless plea agreement, including:
- You’re a first-time DUI offender
- Your blood alcohol content (BAC) was under or only slighter over the legal limit (.08%)
- You have no prior traffic convictions
- There are weaknesses in the prosecutor’s case that make it difficult to obtain an OVI/DUI conviction, such as issues with the chemical testing or lack of probable cause
If you caused a collision resulting in property damage or injury to another person while driving under the influence, you’re likely ineligible for a wet reckless plea deal. Also, if your BAC was significantly over the legal limit, you probably won’t be offered a wet reckless.
What Are the Consequences of a Wet Reckless vs. a DUI/OVI Conviction in Ohio?
The penalties for a wet reckless (reckless driving) in Ohio depend on your driving record. You may face fines or jail time (or both), depending on how many traffic convictions you have received in the year prior to your current offense.
If you have no prior traffic convictions, it’s charged as a minor misdemeanor, and you may face:
- Fines of up to $150
If you have one prior traffic conviction, it’s charged as a 4th-degree misdemeanor, and the penalties are:
- Up to 30 days in jail
- Fines of up to $250
If you have two or more prior traffic convictions, it’s charged as a 3rd-degree misdemeanor, which carries the following penalties:
- Up to 60 days in jail
- Fines of up to $500
On the other hand, the penalties for a first-time DUI offense in Ohio include:
- Jail for three consecutive days up to six months
- License suspension for up to three years
- Fines between $375 to $1,075
- Limited driving privileges with an ignition interlock device installed in your vehicle
- Participation in a drivers’ intervention program
- Participation in education or treatment programs
- Probation
These penalties may vary depending on the facts of your case. However, the consequences of a DUI conviction tend to be much harsher than those of a reckless driving offense. Contact our Cincinnati wet reckless attorneys to discuss your DUI/OVI charges. We’ll determine whether pleading to reduced wet reckless charges may benefit you.
Contact Our Cincinnati Wet Reckless Lawyers For a Free and Confidential Case Evaluation
If you’re facing DUI/OVI charges in Cincinnati, OH, you need to act quickly. A DUI arraignment is usually held within five business days of your arrest, so you don’t have much time.
Contact Suhre & Associates, LLC to speak with an experienced Cincinnati wet reckless lawyer to discuss your criminal case and get honest advice. We’ll inform you of your options and try to get the best possible outcome in your DUI case.
We offer a free initial consultation, so call us today to schedule yours.
