Plea Bargains Serving Families Throughout Jacksonville For Over 25 Years

Should I Take a Plea Bargain for DUI?

Can I Get My DUI Charge Reduced?

A plea bargain for DUI is a deal struck between you and the prosecutor where you agree to give up your right to a jury trial in exchange to the prosecutor agreeing to reduce charges or agreeing to a reduction of penalties. A limitation on plea bargains are mandatory minimum penalties, which a judge may impose no matter what the prosecutor and defense attorney have agreed to.

Get guidance in defending against DUI charges and negotiating plea bargains for DUI. Contact Problems? Pick Porter!™!

Plea Bargains and Mandatory Minimum Penalties

In seeking a plea bargain, your best bargaining chip is having a strong experienced attorney able to challenge the state's case in trial.

If your attorney discovers in the evidence a substantial weakness in the state's case, then he or she may point this out to the prosecutor and likely get a favorable bargain. For instance, discovery of a mistake in the administration of the breath test may lead to a plea bargain reducing a charge to reckless driving.

Reduction of charges is the most favorable method to plea bargain a DUI. This is because the prosecutor does not have much room to deal in a DUI charge due to mandatory minimum penalties set by law.

Penalties for first time DUI include mandatory adjudication (that is, no withhold of adjudication allowing you to keep the conviction off your record), court costs, $500 fine, six month license suspension, six to twelve months of reporting to probation including DUI school, fifty community service hours and a ten day vehicle impoundment at your expense.

Filing a Plea of "No Contest"

In many cases involving a plea bargain, the defendant will file a plea of "no contest." This is also known as nolo contendere, which is Latin for "I do not wish to contend."

It is important to understand the differences from this and a plea of "guilty." In both cases, the defendant is accepting the sentencing and will, essentially, be pleading guilty. The nuances, however, can make a huge difference. The defendant is not admitting guilt, but is choosing to not fight the charges; this can often happen in cases where the defendant views the evidence as overwhelming and victory as unlikely.

In future cases, "no contest" can play a large role. For example, in civil lawsuits such a plea cannot be used as evidence of the admission of fault. It's also important to note that Florida views "no contest" pleas the same as pleas of guilty. Should you be charged again, it will be viewed as a prior conviction and will cause the same consequences. Therefore, it is important to consider all options and discuss them with your lawyer if you have been arrested.

Continue Reading Read Less

Pick Porter!™ For Your DUI in Jacksonville, Florida

At Problems? Pick Porter!™, we assist clients in the Jacksonville area charged with DUI. With three former prosecutors on our team, we are intimately familiar with the plea bargain dynamics in DUI charges. Well-known for our courtroom skills, we are often able to obtain plea bargains for our clients.

Assisting in this endeavor is our trained eye for weaknesses in the state's case. We are often able to persuade prosecutors to allow our clients to plead to a lesser charge than DUI. This often enables our clients to avoid license suspension and to avoid having a DUI on their record.

A Guided, Hands-On Approach
Step-by-Step Guidance for Any Legal Matter
A Compassionate Team
Your Story Matters - We're Here to Listen
Extensive Experience
Approximately 100 Years of Combined Legal Experience On Your Side
Award-Winning Counsel
Top-Rated Ethics & Legal Skill – AV Preeminent® Rating
Trusted & Recommended
Trusted by the Media & Recommended by Our Clients
Top-Rated Attorneys
Top-Rated Personal Injury, DUI, & Criminal Defense Lawyer

Hear From Our Happy Clients

Serving Jacksonville, FL Since 2004

"Jason and his staff were very professional."
100% success rate. I used Jason Porter's services two different times for a DUI charge. The first DUI case I never lost my license and he won the case. The second time it was a little more difficult because of the circumstances but we took it to trial and it seemed like an effortless victory. Jason and his staff were very professional and helpful through the entire process.I could not have asked for anything more. Thank you so much for everything.

- Jeremy T.
"Will definitely use them in the future if need be."
Retain them you’re in great hands! They will get the job done. Got my case dismissed. Will definitely use them in the future if need be.

- T.R.
"So grateful for the help they gave me"
Jason and his legal team were great in handling my case, I was kept informed of everything that was going and had any and all questions answered.

- Paul Maloney
"I love this law firm..."
Hi my name is Nina and I am writing this review for the public to know that Marlene Hordkin she is an excellent attorney she will go to bat for you. She is compassionate , intelligent , has morals and values she will go the distance to see that your voice is heard and that your case is presented clearly before a judge and that all the evidence is brought into light. Mrs. Hordkin is an amazing woman and an attorney and if you ever need help I suggest that you call her immediately. I want to personally thank you again Marlene you are amazing and the world needs more like you. God bless you!

- Nina B.
"I can’t thank him enough and highly recommend him!"
He represented me on a VOP case this year. HE, I and the prosecutor knew it was some bull basically. I was a week away from completing my 10 yrs of probation when they tried to Violate me. Mr porter told me before I even made him my lawyer that he would get this case handled in my favor and that’s exactly what he did ! And got it done in a reasonable time without me having to travel back to Florida being that I was living in NJ ! I can’t thank him enough and highly recommend him!

- L.H.
"Very helpful."
Very helpful. Always there when needed.

- K.S.
"Every time I have "Picked Porter" I have received ethical advice and excellent legal representation."
I have been a client of the law firm since 2003. Every time I have "Picked Porter" I have received ethical advice and excellent legal representation. There has been times I have been referred outside of the law firm and the referrals have always been sound and very appropriate to the overall situation. The law firms family law, personal injury and criminal defense attorneys are well versed in their specialty and are very professional. If you have a problem, Pick Porter.

- Nicholas H.
"My life is in a much better place today because of Jason's integrity within the community and relationships with the judges & state attorneys."
I have had several cases with Mr. Porter as my attorney. He went to bat for me and fought hard to get a great outcome every time! He is a top-notch attorney in Jacksonville and very professional & honest when dealing with each scenario of my cases. My life is in a much better place today because of Jason's integrity within the community and relationships with the judges & state attorneys.

- Josh C.

Read Reviews

Pick Porter!™ Today

A member of our team will be in touch shortly to confirm your contact details or address questions you may have.

*Motorcycle accident - $2,835,000
$1,502,500 Premises Liability - $1,502,500
Bodily Injury Claim
*Wrongful Death - $1,000,000
Settled *Estate of Fred Fedorka
Largest settlement ever against Volusia County.
*Medical Malpractice - $500,000

View All Results