Charged with DUI in Connecticut?

 Posted on October 15, 2018 in Driving Under the Influence

Driving while under the influence of any substance is no laughing matter, and if you are caught, you can face serious repercussions. However, it is not necessary that your life be ruined, especially if it is your first offense. A Fairfield DUI attorney may be able to help work out a fair outcome in your case.

Connecticut DUI Facts

In Connecticut, you are considered to be driving under the influence if your blood alcohol content (BAC) is over 0.08, though the number is even lower for commercial drivers (0.04), and those under age 21 (0.02). If you are shown to be driving under the influence, you will almost certainly be arrested, booked and read your rights, and will usually be released upon your own recognizance (that is, released upon a promise that you will appear in court later) unless you have caused injury or property damage while driving under the influence. If you cause injury or property damage while driving under the influence, the charges you will face may be greater.

Connecticut law also states that drivers implicitly consent to be tested for drugs or alcohol when they drive on the state’s roads, so a refusal to take a breath test or any other test administered by a police officer can cause serious problems. If you do refuse, it can lead to a license suspension or increased fine, while if you do consent to testing, you may be able to get permission to drive to work or wherever you need to go to continue your ordinary duties (for example, picking up your children from school).

Probation and Aftermath of a DUI

Eventually, you will have to go through court proceedings, even if it is only to plead guilty. However, dealing with a DUI does not end there. You may be given jail time; you may be given community service or merely a fine, but there will be some kind of punishment. Afterward, you may be given probation, especially if this DUI is not your first offense, as well as a license suspension, which is generally required for DUI convictions.

In addition, people convicted of DUI must drive cars equipped with ignition interlock devices for a certain period of time - for first offenders, one year; for second-time offenders, three years. There are criminal penalties for people who drive cars that lack ignition interlock devices - even after a DUI conviction, the general feeling is that drivers convicted of such a potentially dangerous crime still require monitoring, and willfully driving a car without a monitor evades that responsibility.

Let Our Attorneys Help You with Your Case

If you have been arrested and charged with DUI, seeking the help of a dedicated Norwalk DUI attorney can make all the difference, both in your case and your peace of mind. The Law Offices of Daniel P. Weiner has collective experience with these cases, and we are happy to put it to work for you. Call us today; we can fight for you.

Sources:

https://www.cga.ct.gov/2012/rpt/2012-R-0279.htm

http://www.ct.gov/dmv/lib/dmv/regulations/227b.pdf