DWI Charges

If you have been charged with DWI, you might be looking at the possibility of drug court. There are some DWI charges that come with an order to drug court, and there are other charges when it is voluntary. When should you go? Consider the following.

Being Ordered

If you were ordered with your DWI charge to attend drug court, you don’t really have any other options than to attend court or go to jail. Most first time offenders will not be ordered to court, though there are some cases in which an alcohol level is so high, there’s a serious issue at hand. In such an aggravated situation, you may be ordered to court — though it is usually only typical for repeat offenders.

A Plea Agreement

If there’s a plea offer on the table, the prosecutor does not have to take it if his or her conditions are not met. When plea terms are not agreed upon, you may end up going to trial. Part of sentencing after trial could include drug court, though it’s also possible that it won’t be included.

If you are able to agree on the terms of the plea, there’s another possibility the judge will throw it out. He or she may find it necessary to include drug court as part of your sentence after all. You do have the possibility to withdraw your plea if the judge refuses it, but you should understand exactly what you are doing in such a situation. An attorney can help you make that call.

Volunteering for Court

When you fail drug court, you will go to jail. It’s a rigorous program with intense requirements. If you have no other alternative to jail than trying your chance at drug court, it might be worth your while to volunteer for it. If there is an alternative sentence, you may not want to risk drug court. Although you might have the best intentions, you may not do so well and could end up in jail instead of with a lighter sentence.

Contacting an Attorney

Dealing with DWI charges can be scary, especially if this is your first time. The good news is that a DWI lawyer can be by your side to help you make the right decisions when you are faced with the possibility of drug court. To learn more or to get in touch with someone who can help you, contact a DWI lawyer, like a DWI lawyer in Fairfax, VA.

Thanks to May Law, LLP for their insight into DWI charges and going to drug court.