DUI reduced to Negligent Driving 1st Degree

What’s a Negligent Driving 1st Degree?

As a DUI attorney, I get this question all the time. In Tacoma, its quite often that a good DUI attorney can get a DUI reduced to down to a Negligent Driving 1st Degree. However, clients aren’t always sure what it is.

Here are the basics of a Negligent Driving 1st Degree. A Negligent Driving 1st Degree is a simple misdemeanor, which is punishable up to 90 days of jail and $1000 fine. DUIs are gross misdemeanors punishable by up to 364 days of jail and $5000 fine. Unlike DUIs, Negligent Driving 1st Degree does not have a mandatory minimum jail sentence, does not have a mandatory minimum fine amount, does not result in a license suspension and does not require the installation of an ignition interlock.

While Negligent Driving 1st Degree is still a crime, its benefits compared to a DUI is obvious. No mandatory jail, no mandatory license suspension and no interlock.

If you are charged with a DUI in Tacoma or Pierce County, an experienced DUI attorney can help you get your case dismissed or reduced to a Negligent Driving 1st Degree. Give the Law Office of Scott Moriarity a call if you would like to discuss your case.