Posted on January 28, 2022 in Driving Under the Influence

In the state of Connecticut, a driver is considered legally drunk if they are operating their vehicle with a blood alcohol concentration (BAC) of 0.08 percent or higher. If the driver is operating under a commercial driver’s license at the time of the arrest, the BAC level is 0.04 percent. If the driver is under the age of 21, the BAC level is 0.02 percent.

Under the state’s driving under the influence laws, even a first-time offender will lose their driving privileges. Subsequent offenders face longer periods of revocation and may even be sentenced to jail.

However, it is important to understand that a DUI conviction has even further-reaching effects and can have a significant impact on the person’s personal and professional life. The following are just some of the ways a conviction can wreak havoc on your future.

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 Posted on January 21, 2022 in Real Estate Law

It is no secret that the real estate market exploded during the COVID-19 pandemic and has continued that momentum. If there are any doubts about the condition of the market, all one has to do is take a look at the number of mortgages that have been taken out. According to national data, the year 2021 was a record year, with more than $1.6 trillion granted in mortgages, the majority of those mortgages to first-time home buyers. This number surpasses the last record set, in 2005 of $1.15 trillion, and surpasses the second-highest record set just in 2020, where lenders gave out $1.5 trillion in mortgages.

Housing Boom

Although the prices of homes increased by more than 19 percent during 2021, there are a number of reasons cited by economic analysts for the phenomenal increases in the housing market. The labor market is still going strong, including increases in pay – which grew more than 4.5 percent nationwide. The market is also being driven by low interest rates, leading many first-time home buyers to sign on all those dotted lines required during a property closing. It is estimated that almost 70 percent of people purchasing new homes in 2021 were buying their first homes.

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 Posted on January 14, 2022 in Criminal Defense

In December of 2018, former President Trump signed into law The First Step Act. The Act had two goals to meet: improving the conditions for prisoners incarcerated in federal prisons and cutting unnecessarily long federal sentences. This week, the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) announced a new rule it is implementing that will begin the release process for thousands of federal prisoners currently sitting in prison.

The First Step Act

Under the First Step Act, federal inmates were granted the chance to earn up to 15 days of time credits for every 30 days of completed participation in prison programs that were developed to reduce recidivism rates. Qualified programs include those that address educational work, drug treatment, anger management, and social skills.

The new rule is more specific in how many credits are actually earned. Inmates can earn 10 days of time credit for every 30 days they participate in programs, however, if an inmate is able to stay in a “lower-risk category,” they will earn an additional time credit of five days for each of those 30 days.

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 Posted on January 11, 2022 in Criminal Defense

Being charged with any kind of theft crime in Connecticut is serious, but when the charge is robbery, the penalties, if convicted, can be harsh. Robbery is defined as taking an item from an individual with the use of force or threat of force. If you have been charged with robbery, you need an experienced criminal law attorney defending you.

Robbery Charges

Robbery is considered a violent crime, which is why the penalties can be so severe. Grabbing property from a victim, threatening them with harm, hitting, kicking, or using any kind of physical force to take an item, or making the victim believe they are at risk of serious injury are all acts that will likely result in a charge of robbery.

Under Connecticut law, the crime of robbery is charged as a felony and the potential penalties depend on which degree of felony the conviction is for:

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 Posted on December 28, 2021 in Drug Charges

 UPDATE: It has been a decade since Connecticut decriminalized marijuana, but in 2021, lawmakers voted to make additional changes to the law. Some of those changes have already taken place, while others will be taking place in 2022 or later.

In July, the law was changed so that adults who are 21 years of age or older are now able to possess up to 1.5 ounces of cannabis on their person or up to five ounces in a locked container in their home or a locked glove compartment or trunk in their vehicle.

As of October, any adults 18 years or older who have been issued medical marijuana cards are allowed to grow up to six marijuana plants inside their residence. Beginning in July 2023, any adult who is 21 years or older will be allowed to grow up to six plants indoors.

Another change to the law takes effect on July 1, 2022. Individuals with prior marijuana possession arrests can petition the court to have those records erased. According to the law, if a person was charged with possession of four ounces of less before January 1, 2000, or charged between October 1, 2015, through June 30, 2021, they can petition the court to have those charges arrested from their records.

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 Posted on December 24, 2021 in Real Estate Law

The new year usually means new laws for Connecticut citizens. Many of the bills that are enacted into laws during the prior year usually go into effect on January 1st of the new year. The year 2022 is no different. One of the new laws taking effect next week addresses the legality of accessory apartments in the state.

What Are Accessory Apartments?

The real estate market has been booming in the United States for the past few years. Sellers definitely have the upper hand, setting high prices for their properties that often result in bidding wars between buyers and “under contract” signs within days of the property being put on the market.

This housing boom has also had a significant impact for renters, as well. Not only have the prices of rental units skyrocketed, but many landlords have also decided to take advantage of the current market, selling their rental properties and leaving renters with few options for finding affordable housing.

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 Posted on December 20, 2021 in Driving Under the Influence

The month of December brings with it many gatherings and parties. For a lot of people, this also means alcohol may be enjoyed. Unfortunately, it also means that some people may find themselves facing a drunk driving charge as we ring in the New Year. If you find yourself facing DUI charges in Connecticut, there may be some viable defense options that a skilled criminal defense attorney can use to defend you.

Chemical Tests

When a driver is stopped on suspicion of driving under the influence, there is a strong possibility that the officer who has pulled the driver over will insist on some kind of chemical testing. In many cases, the officer will conduct a breath test at the scene, however, there are also scenarios where law enforcement will obtain a warrant for a blood test.

Both tests will show what the driver’s blood alcohol content (BAC) is. In Connecticut, a BAC of 0.08 percent or higher means that the driver is legally driving under the influence and will be arrested. However, it is critical for a person who has been charged with a DUI to understand that there are circumstances where their attorney may be able to challenge the validity of those test results in court.

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 Posted on December 02, 2021 in Traffic Violations

Connecticut State Troopers were busy over the Thanksgiving weekend. According to a statement the agency recently issued, troopers made 50 driving under the influence arrests from Wednesday at midnight until Sunday at 11:59 p.m. State troopers stepped up their enforcement of Connecticut roads during the long weekend, also reporting 501 violations issued for speeding, 118 violations issued for seat belt violations, and another 559 violations issued for other hazardous driving behaviors. Hazardous violations include following too closely and using a cell phone while driving.  

With the holiday season in full swing, drivers should be aware that law enforcement will continue to be out in full force between now and the New Year holiday, continuing to arrest drivers they suspect of DUI and issuing violations for traffic infractions.

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 Posted on November 30, 2021 in Theft and Property Crimes

There have recently been multiple reports about an increase in retail theft across the country. According to the results of surveys conducted by the National Retail Federation, retail stores are getting hit more often, especially by organized retail theft gangs. There has also been an alarming increase in the number of incidents where the alleged thieves are more violent and aggressive towards store employees who try to stop them.

Rise in Connecticut Incidents

Stores throughout Connecticut have also experienced a marked increase in retail theft incidents. Grocery stores, in particular, are reporting more and more retail theft incidents to law enforcement. Many of these incidents involve multiple people working together to steal products, as organized retail crime has become more of an issue over the past several years. There has also been a spike in the number of incidents where violence and threats of violence were made against store employees when confronted.

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 Posted on November 22, 2021 in Drug Charges

As of this writing, 36 states allow for the medical use of cannabis products, and 18 states have enacted legislation to regulate cannabis for nonmedical use. The state of Connecticut was the 18th state to legalize the recreational use of cannabis for adults.

Whether you are in a state that has approved the use of marijuana for medical or recreational reasons, you can technically still be charged with a federal drug crime if you use or dispense the drug. This is because federal law almost always overrides state law, and despite the legalization of marijuana for various uses in different states, it is still considered an illegal drug under federal law.

Differences Between Federal and State Law

The federal Controlled Substances Act prohibits any use of marijuana, categorizing it as a drug with no accepted medical purpose and a high potential for abuse. In states that have passed medical marijuana laws, a person is allowed to use medical marijuana to treat a debilitating condition. The person must have a prescription from their doctor for one of the approved medical conditions the state law allows. Medical marijuana laws also regulate the producers and dispensaries licensed to produce the drug and it is at these dispensaries where people are required to purchase their medical marijuana. 

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