A wet reckless charge is a charge which may be leveled against someone who exhibits recklessness while driving under the influence (DUI). Essentially, it is a charge of reckless driving compounded by the consumption of alcohol. Not all regions have laws which allow for wet reckless charges, but a large number do, largely to encourage people to plead guilty, rather than forcing a case to go to trial and eating up large amounts of resources.

Essentially, a wet reckless charge is a step down from a DUI charge. The next step would be a “dry” reckless, which is a bit of a misnomer, since people who plead guilty to a dry reckless charge may still be asked to complete alcohol treatment programs. The wet reckless charge is typically offered as a plea bargain choice; if someone agrees to plead guilty to the charge, the greater DUI charge will be dropped, and a penalty will quickly be determined without bringing the case to trial.

When someone pleads guilty to or is convicted on a wet reckless charge, he or she will have to pay a fee, and go on probation. The charge usually goes on the record for 10 years, and the defendant may be asked to complete an alcohol treatment program; suspension of license is also a possibility. In contrast, DUI charges always result in jail time, making a wet reckless plea distinctly appealing to a defendant who suspects that he or she will probably be convicted.

However, pleading down to a wet reckless charge does not allow the defendant to get away without major penalties. Insurance premiums generally go up when a wet reckless charge is recorded on someone's record, as this is treated as a DUI by the insurance company. In addition, a wet reckless charge counts as a prior, so if someone is charged with drunk driving again within 10 years of a wet reckless, he or she can face stiffer penalties.

Someone who faces a drunk driving charge may choose to ask if he or she can plea down to a wet reckless charge, preferring the slightly reduced penalties of the wet reckless. Consulting one's lawyer is generally a good idea when considering this, as wet reckless charges are not an option in all areas, or a lawyer may have additional insight and advice specific to the defendant's case. Of course, one could always avoid the decision of whether or not to make a plea bargain by not driving drunk.