Hartford DUI Lawyer

DUI Attorney fighting drunk driving charges in Connecticut

Facing DUI charges can be a frightening and overwhelming experience, you need the help of an experienced DUI lawyer serving Hartford, CT, to walk you through the process. In the state of Connecticut, the Blood Alcohol Content (BAC) limit for drivers 21 or older is .08%. For drivers under age 21, the BAC limit is .02% and commercial drivers have a limit of .04%. Connecticut has an implied consent law that requires all drivers to perform at least one chemical test, by breath, blood, or urine, if suspected of driving under the influence. If a driver fails to do so, they are subject to a fine as well as an immediate license suspension.

DUI Penalties in Connecticut

The consequences for driving under the influence are harsh in Connecticut. The breakdown of penalties for first, second, third, and subsequent offense DUIsfollows this guideline:

• 1 ^st Offense: If you have been charged with your first DUI offense, then you could face a jail sentence of at least 48 hours up to six months along with a one year license suspension. Your car will also be towed away and impounded for 48 hours. Penalties also include steep fines between $500 and $1,000. First time DUI offenders may also be expected to fulfill up to 100 hours of community service if your jail sentence is suspended. In addition, you may also be required to complete a substance abuse treatment program in Connecticut.
• 2 ^nd Offense: After the arrest you can expect the towing and impounding of your vehicle for 48 hours. The penalties for a second DUI offense include a fine anywhere between $1,000 and $4,000, as well as jail time between 120 days and two years. This crime also constituted a one year Connecticut license suspension and the installation of an Ignition Interlock Device (IID) for two years after the license suspension is complete. Convicted DUI offenders will also be ordered to complete a substance abuse treatment program and must also fulfill at least 100 hours of community service.
• 3 ^rd and Subsequent Offense: For a third DUI offense your Connecticut license can be permanently suspended. However, you may be able to request a hearing after six years. You can also serve one to three years in jail and be required to pay a fine anywhere from $2,000-$8,000. Convicted offenders must also complete at least 100 hours of community service.

Is Your License Suspended Immediately After a DUI in Connecticut?

In Connecticut, your driver's license may be suspended after a DUI arrest. If you fail or refuse to submit to chemical testing when requested by law enforcement, there will be a mandatory 45-day driver’s license suspension that will start 30 days after the date of your arrest.

As soon as you are arrested, the police send the Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) your arrest report. Once the DMV receives the report, the driver’s license suspension will be imposed. You will be mailed a notice of your CT driver’s license suspension, which gives you 7 days to request an administrative hearing to contest your suspension. 

Additionally, a criminal conviction for driving under the influence can result in license suspension or revocation as determined by the Connecticut court. After you are arrested, you will receive both a summons and a court date. Remember, the license suspension you receive from the DMV is separate from the license suspension you receive if you are convicted of DUI.

The Possibility of a Lesser Offense than DUI

In Connecticut, with the help of a skilled DUI attorney in Hartford, a defendant may be able to plead to a lesser offense than DUI. A person facing DUI criminal charges may be able to receive a "wet reckless" conviction. Wet reckless is a conviction for reckless driving involving alcohol, which holds less severe penalties than DUI.

Can you beat a DUI? The answer is "yes." A DUI case can be fought and won, but when facing charges for a DUI offense, you need an experienced and aggressive DUI lawyer by your side. You also need a firm that is familiar with DUI laws and handling criminal cases in your state.

Our Hartford DUI attorneys have taken on many DUI cases, including:

• A discontinued DUI case for a second-DUI offender due to insufficient evidence
• A first offender plea issued to a second-DUI offender after negotiations

Carlson & Dumeer, LLC is available to clients 24/7 and we want you to know that we care about the result of your case. Our DUI lawyers serving Hartford, CT, work tirelessly for our clients. The pledge that we make to clients is that "no one else will work harder for you than we will." We offer a free initial consultation so you can ask us questions and discuss your DUI case with us at no cost.