Drunk driving cases have a handful of potential outcomes. If you are facing a DUI charge in Philadelphia, it is critical that you understand these potential outcomes—as doing so is essential for deciding how best to approach your case.

5 Potential Outcomes in DUI Cases

To begin, we should clarify that not all of these are potential outcomes in all scenarios. For example, as discussed below, while entering into a diversion program can be a good option for many DUI defendants, not all DUI defendants are eligible. When you discuss your case with an experienced Philadelphia DUI lawyer, your lawyer will be able to explain your options, and then you will be able to use this information to make an informed decision about how best to proceed.

With this in mind, generally speaking, the potential outcomes of a DUI case in Philadelphia are:

1. Being Found Guilty in Court

The first potential outcome is a “Guilty” verdict in court. Philadelphia prosecutors regularly secure convictions in DUI cases; and, when deciding whether to take your case to trial, the possibility of facing a “Guilty” verdict is not a risk you can ignore.

Of course, if you plead “Guilty,” this will lead to a conviction as well (as will pleading “No contest”). Given that there are other (and better) options available, we strongly recommend that you speak with a defense lawyer before you resign yourself to accepting responsibility.

2. Being Found Not Guilty in Court

If you decide to fight your DUI at trial, your case could also end with a “Not guilty” verdict in court. If you are found “Not guilty,” your DUI charge will be dismissed. While there are both costs and risks involved with taking a DUI case to trial in Philadelphia, the opportunity to maintain a clean record will be well worth it in many cases.

3. Avoiding Trial Through Accelerated Rehabilitative Disposition (ARD)

Another option for some defendants to maintain a clean record is to enter into a pre-trial diversion program. If you are eligible for Pennsylvania’s Accelerated Rehabilitative Disposition (ARD) program, your case will be “diverted” from trial while you participate in the program; and, if you complete the program successfully, your DUI charge will be dismissed.

4. Avoiding Trial Through Pre-Trial Dismissal of Your DUI

Regardless of whether you are eligible for ARD, you may also be able to avoid trial through a motion for pre-trial dismissal. There are various potential grounds for seeking pre-trial dismissal without ARD—and whether you have grounds to seek pre-trial dismissal will depend on the facts at hand. Your Philadelphia DUI defense lawyer will be able to help you determine if this is a viable option in your case; and, if so, your lawyer will be able to file a motion to dismiss on your behalf.

5. Negotiating a Plea Bargain

If you don’t have grounds to fight your DUI charge and you aren’t eligible for ARD, then your best option could be to target a plea bargain. While negotiating a plea bargain does not allow you to avoid consequences entirely, it does allow you to significantly reduce the consequences of your arrest. In many cases, negotiating a plea bargain in a DUI case involves pleading guilty to reckless driving.

Deciding Which Outcome to Target in Your Philadelphia DUI Case

With all of this in mind, which outcome should you target in your Philadelphia DUI case? The answer to this question depends on the specific circumstances involved.

When you hire an experienced DUI defense lawyer to represent you, your lawyer will assess all of the facts and realistically assess your chances of avoiding a conviction at trial. If prosecutors have the evidence they need to convict you (and their evidence is admissible in court), then targeting a plea deal or ARD could be your best option. On the other hand, if you have a strong defense to your DUI charge, then it may be in your best interests to fight your charge at trial.  

To learn about some of the factors you will need to consider when weighing your options, we encourage you to read:

Avoiding Mistakes that Could Limit Your Options

As you weigh your options, you will also need to be very careful to avoid mistakes that could limit the options you have available. In particular, you need to avoid saying anything that prosecutors could use against you (including on social media), and you need to make sure you do not miss any court dates in your DUI case.

It is also important not to underestimate the complexity of your DUI case. Regardless of the facts involved, successfully defending against a DUI charge in Philadelphia is not easy. Whether you need to file a motion to dismiss, negotiate with prosecutors, navigate the ARD process, or prepare your case for trial, it will be critical to work closely with an experienced Philadelphia DUI lawyer throughout the process.

Choosing an Experienced Philadelphia DUI Lawyer to Represent You

With this in mind, how do you choose a lawyer to represent you? As with all aspects of your DUI case, there are several important factors to consider. In a previous article, we provided a list of 10 questions you can ask during your initial consultation to ensure that you are making an informed decision about your legal representation.

Request a Free Consultation with Philadelphia DUI Lawyer Brian Fishman

Are you facing a DUI charge in Philadelphia? If so, it is important that you act promptly, and we encourage you to contact us right away for more information. To speak with Philadelphia DUI lawyer Brian Fishman about your situation as soon as possible, call us at 267-758-2228 or request a free consultation online today.