| You were the unlucky one last weekend. You had a | | | | drug. |
| few drinks with some buddies after work, forgot that | | | | Negligence is defined as: "the failure to exercise due |
| that headlight was out, and got popped for DUI when | | | | care;" and "the doing of some act that a reasonably |
| the cops pulled you over on the light. You were driving | | | | careful person would not do under the same or similar |
| fine, though. And your breath test was just over the | | | | circumstances or the failure to do something that a |
| legal limit. You want to get this taken care of as quickly | | | | reasonably careful person would do under the same |
| as possible, and the prosecutor has offered you | | | | or similar circumstance." Exhibiting the effects of |
| negligent driving in the first degree as a plea bargain. | | | | alcohol is defined roughly as having the odor of alcohol |
| What should you do? | | | | on your breath, or exhibiting behavior of having |
| First, you should talk to a DUI lawyer, who can help | | | | consumed alcohol, and is in possession of or close |
| you assess your situation, including whether or not you | | | | proximity to alcohol, or is shown by other evidence to |
| have any grounds for dismissal, in addition to helping | | | | have recently consumed alcohol. |
| you decide whether or not to plead to negligent driving. | | | | The penalty for this action in Washington State is up to |
| And you should do this sooner than later. With an | | | | a $1,000 fine and up to 90 days in jail (it is |
| attorney's help, you may even be able to keep your | | | | characterized as a misdemeanor). What is significant |
| driving privileges. | | | | here are two things. First, the penalty is smaller (DUI is |
| Second, you need to understand what negligent driving | | | | a gross misdemeanor - up to $5,000 fine and up to |
| in the first degree is. But before I explain, let me | | | | one year in jail). And second, there is no license |
| emphasize that the statute I'm using in this example is | | | | suspension associated with a negligent driving |
| a Seattle, Washington statute. If you are in a different | | | | conviction. |
| state, the laws might be different. Make sure you talk | | | | In the end, if you are charged with DUI and it looks like |
| with a DUI attorney before you make any decisions. | | | | the prosecution has a pretty strong case, a plea to |
| Negligent driving in the first degree is very similar to | | | | negligent driving first degree can be a pretty great |
| driving under the influence, and very similar to negligent | | | | compromise. No license suspension, no mandatory jail |
| driving in the second degree. This is negligent driving | | | | time, and a smaller fine are all likely. And you don't |
| first degree in a nutshell: operating a motor vehicle in a | | | | have a DUI on your record, which can often carry a |
| manner that is both negligent and endangers or is likely | | | | significant stigma. Before making the decision, however, |
| to endanger any person or property while exhibiting | | | | make sure you consult with a DUI lawyer. |
| the effects of having consumed alcohol or an illegal | | | | |