Deciding whether or not to take a plea to a DUI / DWI is a very important matter.
When you plead guilty or no contest you, sign a form that says you are giving up all your constitutional trial rights and the right to appeal. This means you cannot take back the plea once you have plead and been sentenced.
At trial you would have the right to remain silent, the right to cross-examine witnesses, the right to bring evidence, the right to testify, the right to be presumed innocent, the right to have the prosecution bear the burned of proving you guilty beyond a reasonable doubt, and the right to a trial. All these rights are waived when you plead guilty or no contest.
Once you plead guilty or no contest, you are convicted of the offense. This counts as a conviction and when later asked if you have ever been convicted of a crime, you must answer “yes.” A plea equals a conviction-just as if a jury found you guilty.
Once convicted for a DUI / DWI you can face probation, time in jail, or time in prison. You will also face a number of requirements like DUI School, community service, attending a victim impact panel, and most onerously…and interlock device must be installed on every vehicle you drive.
Once convicted of a DUI / DWI, the Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) will suspend your regular license and the only way to drive will be to get an interlock license, which requires any vehicle you are driving have an interlock device installed. Beyond that, the Court virtually always requires that you install an interlock devise as part of the sentence.
If you are charged with DUI / DWI you need a criminal defense lawyer. You can contact McGraw Law & Associates at (575) 323-1529
Las Cruces, NM