Let Our Experience Benefit You
Being convicted of a DUI is a very serious offense in Connecticut. If you aren’t represented by a skilled and experienced attorney, you may be charged with harsh penalties and even lose your license. Contact The Sills Law Firm if you’re facing a DUI conviction. Our skilled DUI attorneys will thoroughly investigate your case and explore your legal options. If you’re facing a DUI charge in Middletown, contact The Sills Law Firm at (866) 971-5791 to discuss your legal options.
Your Middleton DUI Defense Team
At The Sills Law Firm, our team has over 20+ years of combined legal experience and has handled thousands of Connecticut’s most complex cases. Our team includes notable attorney Jonathan Sills, author of the Connecticut Practice Series book Connecticut DUI Law, the premiere guide to DUI case defense. We have the talent and the resources to represent any DUI case. Because of our reputation, our firm has even been featured on various media outlets including The Today Show.
We can help you with the following DUI cases:
Connecticut Has an Implied Consent Law
Under Connecticut’s implied consent law, licensed drivers must agree to undergo chemical testing for drugs, alcohol, and other controlled substances when requested. Refusing a breath test could result in your license being suspended for six months, whereas consenting to the test may allow you to obtain a permit to drive to work.
Connecticut DUI Law is Tough!
Driving with a Blood Alcohol Concentration (BAC) of 0.08% or higher is illegal in Connecticut. If you’re under 21 years old, the BAC limit is even lower at 0.02%. This zero-tolerance law is intended to prevent and penalize underage drinking and driving in the state.
Penalties for a DUI conviction in Connecticut include:
- License suspension for weeks and even years
- Fines totaling thousands of dollars
- Jail sentences of up to three years
- Probation
- Ignition interlock device installation for up to 15 years
- Community service (100 hours)
A commercial license holder is subject to a per se BAC limit of 0.04%. If chemical testing returns a higher amount, you could have your license suspended or revoked, which will most likely lead to job loss. The sooner you retain a Middletown DUI lawyer, the sooner we can start protecting your future.
First-Time DUI in Connecticut
First offenders can face up to six months in jail and a $1000 fine, although the court can impose a six-month license suspension with probation and 100 hours of community service. A one-year ignition interlock device is required once your license is reinstated.
Second-Time DUI in Connecticut
If you’re convicted of a first-time DUI, a second offense within 10 years carries a mandatory minimum jail sentence of 120 consecutive days and/or a fine of up to $4,000, followed by probation and 100 hours of community service. Once the 45-day license suspension is up, you will be required to drive with an ignition interlock device for three years. If you want to get your driver’s license reinstated, you must file a Connecticut SR22 insurance form with the DMV.
Third and Subsequent DUI in Connecticut
If you commit a third or subsequent offense within 10 years of a prior conviction, you could serve up to three years in jail, followed by probation and community service. There is also a minimum fine of $2,000, although you could be fined as much as $8,000. For repeat offenders, license revocation is permanent, although it is possible to seek reinstatement after two years. If approved, you will have to install an ignition interlock device on your car for at least 15 years.
FAQS
How Can a Middletown DUI Attorney Help Me?
Connecticut law imposes harsh penalties on DUI offenders. Without skilled legal representation, you can easily face license suspension, jail time, and costly fines if you’re charged with a DUI conviction. Connecticut law is even more merciless to repeat offenders. If you’re being charged with a second or third offense, you will absolutely need to retain the services of an experienced Middletown DUI defense attorney to handle your case. Otherwise, you may spend years in jail and have your license permanently suspended.
For charges like drunk or drugged driving, prosecutors are highly motivated to secure convictions. They want to be seen as tough on DUI offenders. It is very likely that if you represent yourself, you will either be convicted or agree to a deal that isn’t in your best interest.
A Middletown criminal defense lawyer has the skill and experience to mount an effective defense. If the prosecution doesn’t drop the charges, your lawyer may be able to negotiate a lesser charge or penalty, such as a fine instead of jail time. Let The Sills Law Firm identify the most beneficial outcome for your case and take steps to achieve it.
Can I Go to Jail for DUI in Connecticut?
Not necessarily. If you are a first offender, your Middletown DUI lawyer may be able to convince the prosecutor or the court to let you enter a Pretrial Alcohol Education Program (PAEP). If you complete it, your DUI charges will be dismissed. Those with a history of DUI are not eligible for the program, so your main options for avoiding jail are accepting a plea bargain or winning your case.
The Sills Law Firm will thoroughly review the evidence against you and identify any weaknesses in the state’s case. We will strive to identify the best legal solution for your DUI charges and make every effort to help you avoid incarceration.
Can I Be Arrested for DUI if I Take Prescription Drugs?
Yes, it’s possible. Drugged driving can lead to an arrest and conviction, even if the drugs have been legally prescribed to you or they’re an over-the-counter medication. Drug laws in Connecticut cover almost any type of drug, including illicit drugs, controlled prescription drugs, and medical marijuana.
If a drug impairs your ability to drive, you may be charged with a DUI offense in Connecticut. The penalties for driving under the influence of prescription drugs are the same as those for driving under the influence of alcohol or cannabis. As a result, you are likely to receive a criminal record if found guilty.
Arrested for DUI? Call a Middletown DUI Lawyer Now!
If you are convicted of DUI in Middletown, CT, you stand to lose more than just your license. You could go to jail, lose your job if you are a commercial license holder, and be left with a criminal record that may impact your access to housing, employment, and public benefits. With so much at stake, you need an experienced Middletown DUI lawyer who knows how to investigate a case and will fight to help you get your life back on track.
Contact The Sills Law Firm if you’re seeking representation for a DUI offense. We are skilled defense attorneys who pride ourselves on offering high-quality legal services customized to each client’s needs. Don’t let one mistake define your future. You can schedule a free consultation with a Middletown DUI defense attorney by calling (866) 971-5791.
