Multiple charges against a person who is accused of a crime can make presenting a strong defense more difficult. When the court wants to convey the seriousness of the crime to the defendant and the community at large, they may propose longer sentences than the minimum mandated by the law. Guilty pleas and other bargaining with the court may be a tool for defendants to get reduced charges in DUI cases and show a willingness to work with the courts of Illinois. Such bargaining may work to a defendant’s advantage.
In a recent incident a man was arrested for a variety of charges, including driving a backhoe under the influence of drugs and possessing methamphetamines. There were methamphetamines in his possession on the backhoe. In addition, the man tested positive for having methamphetamines in his system while he was driving the backhoe. The man had previous felony convictions, at least one of which was associated with drug possession. In addition, he had been held following his arrest for the current charges.
At least in part because he entered a guilty plea, several of the charges against him were dropped, including resisting arrest. Ultimately the defendant ended up with a sentence of only 51 months. The time related to the DUI charges is to be served at concurrently with the other time, reducing his time in jail further.
Considering the seriousness of the DUI charges and other charges, this is likely a positive result for the man. The defendant will likely get credit for his time in jail since his arrest in Illinois, reducing his sentence further. Defendants facing potentially long sentences and having a challenging legal history may want to learn about ways they can work with the courts to improve the options that they face.
Source: whig.com, “Quincy man gets 51-month prison sentence,” Matt Hopf, Feb. 5, 2013
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