Whether or not you should enter a no contest plea in your Texas driving while intoxicated (DWI) case depends on the circumstances. The best way to determine if a no contest plea is better than pleading guilty is to discuss the facts of your case and circumstances of your arrest with an attorney who handles Texas DWI cases.
There are some situations where a no contest plea can benefit you, but others where it will not be as effective as you believe it will. You will likely face the same penalties, no matter how you enter your plea. A DWI attorney may be able to identify a strong defense strategy or offer advice about your case.
No Contest Pleas Can Help Those Facing DWI Charges in Limited Circumstances
The primary benefit of a no contest plea is to avoid admitting fault. This can be very important if there is a reason to believe you may face a civil case in addition to the criminal charges.
For example, imagine you had a few beers at a local bar. Driving home, you took a curve too fast and crashed into someone’s fence, causing thousands of dollars in damage. Then the police arrested you for DWI.
Admitting fault in your criminal case would make it very difficult to win your civil case, even if you believe much of the damage was there before you hit the fence. In this situation, a no contest plea might be better than pleading guilty.
There Are Many Myths Related to No Contest Pleas for Texas DWI Charges
In other cases, a no contest plea does not help your case much. There are many myths associated with this type of plea. In most cases, the court system views it in the same way as a guilty plea. You may qualify for expungement or nondisclosure order of a first offense DWI even if you plead guilty. The arrest and “no contest” conviction will also still count against you if you get arrested for another drunk driving offense.
In the worst case scenario, being set on entering a no contest plea can prevent you from accepting a plea bargain that could dramatically reduce the penalties against you. An attorney may be able to help you get this type of negotiated agreement that requires you to enter a guilty plea in exchange for a lesser charge and lighter penalties. This is often the most favorable outcome available in cases when there is strong evidence against you.
Talk to a Texas DWI Attorney About Your Case Today
Before you decide how to proceed with your Texas DWI case, take the time to discuss it with a lawyer from Eddington Worley Attorneys. Our team has decades of combined experience and can help you understand Texas drunk driving laws, as well as the possible outcomes based on the plea you enter.
We can build a defense strategy based on the specific facts of your case and the details of your arrest. Let us fight for you. Call 855-600-6695 now to learn more.
