Posted on May 31, 2024 in Driving Under the Influence

 Driving under the influence (DUI) is a serious offense in Connecticut, and the consequences are even more severe for those under the legal drinking age of 21. If you or someone you know is facing underage DUI charges, it is beneficial to understand the potential penalties and the impact they can have on a young person’s life. A Connecticut lawyer can help make sure you take the proper steps for your situation.

Connecticut’s Zero Tolerance Policy

In Connecticut, drivers under 21 are subject to a strict zero tolerance policy when it comes to alcohol consumption. This means that if a driver under 21 is found to have any measurable amount of alcohol in their system (a blood alcohol content, or BAC, of 0.02 percent or higher), they can be charged with DUI, even if their driving ability does not appear to be impaired.

Administrative Penalties

When an underage driver is arrested for DUI, they face both administrative and criminal penalties. The administrative penalties are imposed by the Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) and include:

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 Posted on May 23, 2024 in Criminal Defense

Hate crimes have been a hot topic of discussion in recent years, with many high-profile incidents making national headlines. But what exactly constitutes a hate crime under Connecticut law? And are these offenses truly as serious as some make them out to be? A Connecticut lawyer can help you if you find yourself with a hate crime charge.

What is a Hate Crime in Connecticut?

Under Connecticut General Statutes § 53a-181j, a person commits a hate crime if they intentionally select someone to threaten, harass, or intimidate based on actual or perceived race, ethnicity, religion, disability, sexual orientation, sex, or gender identity or expression. The underlying criminal act could be property damage, assault, harassment, or threatening behavior. What elevates it to a hate crime is the specific intent to target a victim due to their protected characteristics.

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 Posted on May 16, 2024 in Juvenile Crimes

As a parent, discovering that your child has been caught possessing marijuana can be a distressing and confusing experience. In Connecticut, juvenile marijuana possession is treated differently than adult possession, and you must understand the legalities and potential consequences. A Connecticut lawyer can offer guidance on how to get through this challenging situation.

Connecticut’s Juvenile Marijuana Possession Laws

In Connecticut, marijuana possession by individuals under the age of 18 is considered a delinquent act rather than a criminal offense. However, this does not mean that juvenile offenders face no consequences. If your child is caught possessing less than five ounces of marijuana, he may be referred to the Juvenile Review Board (JRB) or the juvenile court system, depending on the circumstances and the discretion of law enforcement.

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 Posted on May 07, 2024 in Real Estate Law

Buying a home is a significant investment, and the last thing you want to discover is a hidden problem like toxic mold. Not only can it cause serious health issues, but it can also diminish the value of your property. If you find toxic mold after purchasing a home in Connecticut that was not disclosed to you, take immediate action to protect your rights and interests. A Connecticut lawyer is important to have on your side during this process.

Document the Evidence

The first step is to document the presence of toxic mold thoroughly. However, you should never do this yourself as it can be dangerous. Hire a professional mold inspector to assess the extent of the problem and provide a detailed report. Take photos and videos of the affected areas, and keep a record of any symptoms or health issues you or your family members may be experiencing.

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 Posted on April 25, 2024 in Criminal Defense

The state of Connecticut is no stranger to crime, with 355 individuals serving new sentences in fiscal year 2022. In all likelihood, many of these individuals were blindsided by the charges brought against them.

If you have been arrested, you are likely feeling anxious and eager to know what to expect when you are required to appear in court. In this article, our Stamford criminal defense lawyer discusses what you can expect at a criminal court appearance and what appropriate court behavior looks like.

Arraignment 

In most cases, a person who is arrested must appear in court the next business day. This initial court appearance is called the arraignment. At the arraignment, the judge will read the charges against you and advise you of your constitutional rights. You will then enter a plea. If the defendant pleads “guilty,” then the case will proceed directly to sentencing by a judge. Typically, a defendant is advised to plead “not guilty.” In pleading not guilty, a pre-trial conference is scheduled.

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 Posted on April 18, 2024 in Marijuana Possession

Cannabis use and possession have been legal in the state of Connecticut since July 1, 2021. Even so, if you exceed the allowed quantities or you attempt to sell, distribute, or manufacture marijuana as an individual, you can still be arrested.

If you are facing a charge for any cannabis offense, our Stamford drug charge defense attorney is ready to provide you with effective representation.

Possession and Use

The Nutmeg State permits residents to have up to 1.5 ounces of marijuana in their possession. Residents are allowed to have as much as five ounces in a locked container at home or in public.

Possession may consist of cannabis flower or concentrate. Residents 21 years of age and older and medical marijuana patients 18 years of age and older are allowed to grow three fully mature and three less-than-mature plants. A maximum of 12 marijuana plants is permitted for a household. 

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 Posted on April 11, 2024 in Criminal Defense

If there is a warrant for your arrest, you may not even know it until you are being escorted to the police station. Since you will likely not be notified, the Connecticut Judicial Branch allows individuals to search their names in the database to see if there are any warrants out for their arrest.

Although many people think that an arrest warrant is only issued if law enforcement has concrete evidence to charge you with a crime, there are a variety of circumstances in which you may be issued an arrest warrant. 

In this blog, our Stamford criminal defense lawyer discusses five reasons why an arrest warrant may be issued in Connecticut. 

There is Probable Cause That You Committed a Crime

If the police have sufficient evidence that leads them to believe that you committed a crime, they can issue a warrant for your arrest. Known as probable cause, law enforcement must have trustworthy evidence connecting you to the alleged crime. 

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 Posted on April 05, 2024 in Real Estate Law

Buying a home can be both an exhilarating and daunting process. Many people place an offer on their dream home, not understanding what lies ahead. Preparation is key for a smooth home-buying process, and knowing what to expect can save you a lot of heartache.

Keep reading to learn the eight tips our Stamford, CT, residential real estate attorney has to offer prospective homebuyers.

Get Pre-Approved for a Mortgage

Far too many first-time homebuyers find the house of their dreams without first securing a pre-approval. In getting pre-approved, a lender will prepare a letter that details the total cost you can pay for a house and how much you can afford to borrow. The seller will have to see a pre-approval letter before accepting your offer, so it is important that you get pre-approved early in the home-buying process.

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 Posted on March 28, 2024 in Criminal Defense

The Bill of Rights grants every U.S. citizen a number of civil liberties, including freedom of speech, the right to bear arms, and protection from illegal searches and seizures. Perhaps most importantly, defendants are given various rights when being prosecuted for a crime.

As a criminal defendant, it is important that you are informed of your constitutional rights. If you have been arrested or charged with a criminal offense, you need to speak with our Stamford criminal defense lawyer at the Law Offices of Daniel P. Weiner today.

Due Process of Law

The Fifth Amendment grants us the right to due process. Every criminal defendant is entitled to a fair trial. Nobody should be punished without the government proving his or her guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.

Protection from Being Tried Twice for the Same Offense

Known as double jeopardy, the Fifth Amendment also protects criminal defendants from being prosecuted twice for the same offense. If this protection were not in place, the government could re-file charges against a criminal defendant if new evidence comes to light.

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 Posted on March 22, 2024 in Drug Charges

Having drug charges filed against you can be both intimidating and confusing. While you may be alarmed by the charges, you may not even realize that law enforcement took illegal measures to gather such incriminating evidence.

The U.S. Constitution affords all citizens the right to be free from unlawful search and seizure. If you believe that you were the victim of an unreasonable search and seizure, do not hesitate to call our Stamford criminal defense lawyer.

What Rights are Provided through the Fourth Amendment?

The Fourth Amendment gives us the right to be secure from unreasonable government searches. Simply put, you are protected against unreasonable searches and seizures in places where you have a reasonable expectation of privacy.

Your Home

It is assumed that a police officer needs a warrant to conduct a search of your home. There are exceptions, such as, but not limited to, if you give consent, if the search takes place immediately following an arrest, or if evidence is in plain view.

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