It would seem like the smartest course of action to plead "no contest" and accept a plea if you are facing a DUI charge and are aware that there is a ton of evidence against you, and occasionally it is. The correct criminal defense lawyer, though, can frequently assist you in locating a better course of action. To find out what your particular choices are, call Law Office of Michael L. Fell at (949) 585-9055 for a free legal consultation.

An Explanation of the Distinction Between a Guilty Plea and a Plea of No Contest

Let's first discuss the distinction between pleading guilty and no contest. While entering a no contest plea is somewhat comparable to entering a guilty plea, you are not admitting guilt. It simply means that you will not fight the charge. While a plea of no contest does not imply that you are admitting to committing a crime, this can be useful if you are concerned that the victims will sue you in civil court.

There Are Several Advantages to Pleading No Contest

Pleading no contest to a DUI charge has a number of advantages, including the assurance that you can avoid a trying trial, the possible embarrassment of having all the details of the case made public, and lower costs. In some situations, though, it is not the best choice.

No Contest Plead Has a Number of Possible Consequences

Of course, pleading no contest has disadvantages. For instance, you have waived your right to defend yourself against the DUI charge, you must deal with the negative effects of a conviction, including jail time, fines, and license suspensions, and you will have a conviction on your criminal record.

The Justifications for Pleading No Contest

Why would somebody want to plead no contest when there are so many disadvantages? There are a few reasons. First, they may not be confident that they would be acquitted at trial. They might be concerned that a guilty plea or conviction will be used against them in a civil lawsuit. They might not want to deal with the strain of a trial and the arrest's details becoming public knowledge.

Call Today to Find Out the Best Option for You

You may now be considering if pleading no contest is the best course of action for you. The response is based on a variety of variables. We strongly suggest that you talk to a criminal defense attorney about your specific situation. You can do so by calling Law Office of Michael L. Fell at (949) 585-9055 for a free legal consultation.