Driving under the influence (DUI) of drugs or alcohol could get you arrested in the state of Connecticut if your blood alcohol concentration (BAC) is 0.08%. However, if you are a commercial motor vehicle (CMV) driver, you can get arrested with a BAC of 0.04%. Penalties for DUIs are fairly severe, mostly as a deterrent for repeat offenses. As a commercial driver, you will likely face even more stringent punishment.
If you are convicted of a DUI, the state Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) can disqualify or suspend your commercial driver’s license (CDL) for major offenses, one of which is having a BAC of 0.04% or refusing to take a breath or blood test to determine BAC.
If this is your 1st violation, your CDL will be disqualified for 1 year (3 years if you were transporting hazardous materials). If it was your 2nd violation, your CDL will be disqualified for life. You may be eligible for CDL reinstatement after 10 years, however.
The biggest problem with CDL qualification is that all CMV drivers require a CDL to drive for a living. Without the license, you would either need to commit another crime or find an alternative job. Finding a temporary position might be possible for a 1-year suspension, but any longer is intolerable to most employers.
If you’re facing CDL disqualification, don’t put your livelihood at risk. Call one of our skilled Connecticut criminal defense attorneys today. The Sills Law Firm has been helping people defend their rights and freedom for 20+ years. Our attorneys have handled thousands of cases, both simple and complex. Let us see what we can do for your case.
Contact us at (860) 524-8118 or fill out our online form to schedule a conversation with us today. We look forward to speaking with you about the details of your situation.
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