Posted on July 08,2014 in Driving Under the Influence

We all know that it is both dangerous and illegal to drink and drive, and we educate our children about the potential consequences of doing so. Consuming alcohol before age 21 is considered underage drinking in the United States. However, there are statutes in Connecticut that apply specifically to those who are caught driving under the influence before their 21st birthday.

Unfortunately, mistakes and poor judgement are part of being young. Below are several facts about DUI law in Connecticut that you need to know if your child is charged with a DUI.

Connecticut has a three part law relating to DUIs.

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 Posted on June 30,2014 in Criminal Defense

If you are a truck driver, you know all too well that there are very specific rules and regulations that you need to follow in order to remain licensed. Some of the regulations that must be observed pertain to the weight of your load, the accuracy of your logbook, equipment, traffic rules, and keeping your license in good standing. If you have been charged with a trucking violation, you need legal advice immediately.

Some of the things that you can get ticketed for include:

• Overweight – there are regulations for total weight of the haul as well as per axle;
• Weighing stations – you must stop at each weight station as appropriate;
• Equipment – you must have good tires, lights, mud flaps, etc. and they must be in good condition;

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 Posted on June 27,2014 in Juvenile Crimes

As a parent, finding out that your child has been arrested can be extremely stressful. If this happens in your family it is important to understand the juvenile judicial process.

In Connecticut, a juvenile is considered delinquent if he or she is under the age of 18 when breaking, or attempting to break, the law. The law can be a state, federal, county, or municipal law. In many cases, the same statutes apply to both adults and juveniles. However, the procedure by which adult and juvenile cases are handled is often different.

The first point of contact in most cases is with a police officer. Depending on the alleged offense, the officer has the discretion to decide how he or she will handle the minor child. The officer can decide to:

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 Posted on June 16,2014 in Driving Under the Influence

Criminal penalties for a second or third DUI conviction in Connecticut are serious: they can include prison terms, fines, and license suspensions. A second DUI arrest carries specific requirements for driving with an ignition interlock device if you wish to retain your driving privileges. If you have been charged with a second or third DUI, contact a criminal defense attorney as soon as possible so that your rights are represented in court.

A second time offender is required to drive with an interlock device for three years. During the first year, the individual can only drive to school, work, an interlock service center, or an alcohol or drug abuse treatment facility. A second or subsequent offense requires the offender to submit to a drug or alcohol abuse assessment program and may be mandated by the court to attend a treatment program.

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 Posted on June 06,2014 in Criminal Defense

Connecticut legislators are looking to make the knockout game an official crime statewide. The “game” refers to a situation in which a victim is hit over the head without any provocation, the goal of which is for the victim to lose consciousness. If passed, the bill would treat accused individuals in a manner similar to those facing assault charges.

The legislation would institute the crime as a Class D felony and a mandatory minimum two-year sentences. Those aged 16 and 17 would be transferred to the adult system if accused of participating. While the attacks are rare, legislators believe that stipulating this as a crime will help to cut down on the racial overtones that have played out in past attacks.

Some representatives are opposed to law, arguing that there are not enough details that 16 or 17 year olds are engaged in the game in Connecticut and that the act simply does not happen enough to warrant statewide handling of the situation. Law enforcement agencies vary with regard to their reporting, so it’s difficult to get accurate data about how many victims have suffered.

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 Posted on May 31,2014 in Driving Under the Influence

If you are pulled over and accused of DUI in Connecticut, you should know the state’s implied consent law. The law mandates that you consent to a urine, blood, or breath test if you have been arrested for a DUI. If the officer arresting you has probable cause, then you give your consent to having this test done.

The officer chooses which test is to be done, but it must be given within two hours of when you were actually driving a vehicle. Without penalty, you can refuse the blood test if you wish, meaning that the officer can choose from one of the remaining test. The officer must also inform you of your constitutional rights when you are arrested and explain that your license may be suspended if you refuse to take a test.

If you refuse to take the test, that information can be used against you in court. An officer doesn’t have the responsibility to explain that you can contact your attorney prior to taking a test, which you might want to consider doing so that you are aware of all your rights at that time.

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 Posted on May 21,2014 in Driving Under the Influence

There are serious repercussions for those convicted of a DUI in Connecticut. Fines may include prison terms, fines, and license suspensions. Under state law, offenders aged 21 or older will have a minimum license suspension of 45 days. If you have been charged with driving under the influence, you need to contact an attorney as soon as possible.

First time offenders may be eligible to drive after their suspension period ends, but only with an ignition interlock-equipped vehicle. First time offenders will drive with an ignition interlock device for a period of one year, and second time offenders will drive with an ignition interlock device for three years. Second time offenders are only allowed to drive to school, work, an alcohol or drug treatment program, or the ignition interlock service center in the first year of the interlock period.

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 Posted on May 13,2014 in White Collar Crimes

An East Haven man was among 18 suspects arrested in a statewide targeted child pornography investigation. Detectives working for the Connecticut State Police Computer Crimes unit combined forces with the State Police Bureau of Criminal Investigations and Sex Offenders Unit to conduct the arrest warrant sweep on March 27th.

For the 18 arrested individuals, the state has the responsibility to prove several elements beyond a reasonable doubt in order to find the defendants guilty of their charges:

• Possession is the first component of a child pornography charge, which includes any picture, videotape, computer-generated image, or other visual depiction of a person under the age of 16;
• The state must demonstrate that the defendant knowingly possessed child pornography;

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 Posted on May 09,2014 in Criminal Defense

Connecticut legislators are evaluating new police department requirements for the handling of officer misconduct complaints. A bill was approved in the Judiciary Committee last week in response to increased reports across the state. If you are facing criminal charges in a case where police misconduct is an issue, you need to seek out an attorney.

East Haven police in particular were singled out for high numbers of racial profiling complaints. Previous complaints led to a Justice Department investigation in 2009 which uncovered biased policing and discrimination behavior in that police department. Specific profiling behavior targeted Latinos, sending four officers to prison and demanding improvements.

Better policing standards are critical, according to Andrew Schneider, American Civil Liberties Union executive director. Schneider says that the Connecticut ACLU has received numerous complaints about police misconduct in the past year and that not enough improvements have been made to protect citizens or accused criminals.

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 Posted on April 27,2014 in Criminal Defense

The national media focus on bullying in schools has led to legislation across the country, and the same holds true in Connecticut, where a law was signed in 2011. If your child has been charged with a crime related to bullying, you need to contact an attorney immediately.

In Connecticut, 25 percent of high school students report being bullied on school property. Across America, more than 900,000 students report being bullied online. In Connecticut, there are specific rules about how a school has to handle a bullying investigation. School staff must have streamlined procedures for bullying reporting and it must be investigated when any claim is made.

Since more and more schools are adopting zero-tolerance policies on any allegation of bullying, children that are accused may face immediate school-related consequences in addition to criminal charges. A bullying accusation can continue to follow a child for years.

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