Sills DUI & Criminal Defense Lawyers

Connecticut Criminal & DUI Defense Law Firm located in Hartford & Waterbury

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Connecticut Multiple Offender Felony DUI Lawyers

Experienced Felony DUI Trial Lawyers 

A conviction for DUI is a serious matter. You face the possibility of jail time, fines, license suspension, and a permanent criminal record. In Connecticut, a second and subsequent DUI conviction is a felony which requires minimum mandatory jail time. The CT DUI Defense lawyers at The Sills Law Firm, LLC have an established record at delivering winnings results for their clients in felony DUI cases:

  • Not Guilty and No License Suspension in 4th Offense Felony DUI Jury Trial
  • Not Guilty in 3rd Offender Felony DUI Jury Trial
  • Not Guilty in Felony DUI with an Accident Jury Trial 
  • Not Guilty in 5th Offense DUI Jury Trial
  • Nolle in two separate 3rd Offender DUI Cases for one Client
  • Nolle in 4th Offense DUI Drug Case
  • DUI Reduced to 1st Offense for Client with 8 Prior DUIs
  • DUI Reduced to 1st Offense with No Jail after Jury Selection in Felony DUI Trial

When your freedom is at stake, you will want the best possible DUI defense. Collectively, we have 20+ years of experience in defending DUI cases. We have offices conveniently located in Hartford and Waterbury. We are also available at your convenience for telephone and video conferencing.

PUT OUR KNOWLEDGEABLE ATTORNEYS TO THE TEST DURING A COMPLIMENTARY CONSULTATION.

Call us today at (860) 524-8118 

Penalties for a Second & Third DUI Offense

If you have one or more prior DUI convictions within the last 10 years, any new DUI arrest will be charged as repeat or multiple offense DUI. This enables prosecutors to seek an enhanced sentence against you. Second and Third Offense DUI in Connecticut carries mandatory minimum jail sentences, heftier fines, longer IID requirements, and longer and more intensive periods of probation. A third DUI conviction in Connecticut will result in the permanent revocation of your driver’s license or your privilege to drive in the state of Connecticut. 

A second DUI conviction results in:

  • A minimum mandatory 120-day jail sentence and a maximum jail sentence of 2 years
  • $1,000 to $4,000 in fines
  • A 45-day license suspension 
  • A 3-year IID requirement 
  • A 1-year IID restriction allowing only driving for work, school, drug or alcohol abuse counselling, probation appointments, and IID service appointments
  • Up to 3 years of probation
  • The completion of a substance abuse treatment program
  • Completion of a Mother’s Against Driving “MADD” Victim Impact Panel 
  • 100 hours of Community Service

A third DUI conviction results in:

  • A minimum mandatory 1-year jail sentence and a maximum jail sentence of 3 years
  • $2,000 to $8,000 in fines
  • Permanent revocation of your Connecticut driver’s license or privilege to drive in Connecticut
  • Up to 3 years of probation
  • The completion of a substance abuse treatment program
  • Completion of a Mother’s Against Driving “MADD” Victim Impact Panel 
  • 100 hours of Community Service

Other Consequences of Felony DUI

In Connecticut, any criminal offense that carries a potential jail sentence of greater than one year is classified as a felony. Second and third offense DUI cases in Connecticut are unclassified felonies. That means that the maximum jail terms and other penalties such as minimum mandatory jail terms are specified in the DUI statute. The maximum jail term for a second offense DUI is 2 years and the maximum jail term for a third offense DUI is 3 years. If you plead guilty or are convicted of either, you will be a convicted felon. 

In addition to jail, fines, and probation, you could face the following additional penalties and restrictions if convicted of felony DUI:

  • Requirement that you submit to a DNA sample
  • Possible deportation if you are not a United States Citizen
  • Revocation of your right to own or possess firearms 
  • Revocation of your voting rights and your right to hold office for a period of time
  • Disqualification from serving as a juror for a period of time
  • Revocation or suspension of certain professional licenses or permits 
  • Loss of future employment opportunities 
  • Failing background checks
  • Potential denial of right to foster or adopt children 

Minimize your Jail Time 

If you are sentenced to jail time after a felony second or third offense DUI conviction, your Connecticut DUI lawyer can still help to minimize your jail time. The DUI Home Confinement Program allows the Department of Corrections to release an individual, who receives a DUI jail sentence, early – even before the expiration of his or her mandatory minimum jail time. Your lawyer can advise you what to do, negotiate your sentence, and prepare certain sentencing documents so that you have the best possible chance of qualifying for home confinement and an expedited release. 

After an individual is sentenced, he or she will be assessed based on 3 factors: (1) risk of recidivism; (2) the problems and needs that need to be addressed to mitigate the risk, and; (3) the likelihood that the individual will benefit from treatment and supervision balanced against the need for punishment and incarceration. DOC will consider things like whether you have a violent criminal history, whether you have history of succeeding in treatment, and whether you have a suitable home, job, and support system to return to.  

After your assessment, the Department of Corrections will place you on 1 of 4 tracks:

Track 1

  • Lowest risk; no need to remain incarcerated; may already be in treatment 
  • Average release is 2-3 weeks after sentencing 

Track 2

  • Low risk; must determine amenability to treatment; must complete a substance abuse program
  • Average release is 1-2 months after sentencing

Track 3

  • Medium risk; requires more intensive substance abuse treatment than track 2
  • Average release is 3-4 months after sentencing

Track 4

  • Highest risk; requires intensive substance abuse treatment 
  • Average release is 6 months after sentencing 
  • Could serve your entire sentence (especially if less than 6 months)

If you are released early via home confinement, you will be supervised by a parole officer and subject to electronic monitoring. Your parole officer sets your schedule, rules and regulations. You will likely be required to attend drug and alcohol counselling or treatment and stay out of establishments that serve alcohol. You will likely be allowed to go to work and approved family and social functions. You will likely have a curfew. Your parole officer will generally hold you to a strict zero tolerance standard. If you violate the officer’s rules and regulations, you will be returned to jail to serve the remainder of your sentence. 

Accused of Felony DUI? Contact The Sills Law Firm, LLC for Strategic Counsel.

If you are facing the harsher consequences of multiple felony DUIs, obtain the aggressive DUI defense services you need from our knowledgeable team of Connecticut DUI lawyers. We will do everything possible to get you the result you need, in order to avoid and jail time, fines, and license suspension.

Contact us right away to begin your multiple DUI defense.