Why Would Someone Plead Guilty Of DWI The Same Day They Are Charged?

Typically, in Houston, Harris County, Texas when someone is arrested for drunk driving or DWI they are released on bond within 24 hours. Even when the person is unable to make bond it typically takes 48 hours before the person is transferred to court. Thus, I was surprised that Missouri's football coach, Gary Pinkel pled guilty to drunk driving the same day that he was charged.

It is obvious that the county where he was arrested does things differently since he was arrested on Wednesday, but was not charged with the crime until Friday. I am surprised that someone with so much to lose took this route. He must have been heavily intoxicated to plead guilty so quickly and did not want his alcohol level to come out or the video of his arrest to be leaked.

The only people that I witness plead guilty so quickly are those that are unable to bond out of jail. When someone bonds out of jail it is prudent to wait for the video, review the offense reports, determine if the field sobriety tests were administered correctly, and review the results of the blood or breath sample. By pleading guilty so quickly the coach did not let his lawyer onto the field to defend his case.

If you have been charged, a Houston DWI attorney may be able to help you avoid harsh punishments.