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Steven A. Tomeo & Associates, LLC
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Steven A. Tomeo & Associates, LLC

No matter who you are, where you come from, or what you might have been through in your life, DUIs can be overwhelming. When things get moving on a DUI case, it can feel like everything is happening all at once, and you barely have time to catch your breath, let alone mount a solid defense for yourself.

This is especially true if you are going through the DUI process for the first time. First-time DUI charges can be both a practical shock and a moral shock. You may not have ever thought of yourself as the kind of person who would be facing a DUI before a court of law. While dealing with those thoughts and emotions, you might also be trying to make sense of what is happening without knowing what to expect from the process.

DUIs—especially first-time DUIs—almost always come from one miscalculation or mistake. This is one moment of your life where you should have zigged, and zagged instead. First-time DUIs are often not malicious or purposefully harmful, and they can happen to pretty much anybody. We live in a culture where people regularly consume alcohol in social situations, and where people regularly drive. As such, the possible scenarios where someone could accidentally find themselves with a DUI are virtually endless.

You may have been on your way home from a Christmas party, not realizing that you had that last beer a little too soon before you headed out. Maybe you thought you were being responsible all night, drinking water and coffee between adult beverages, but it didn’t have as much of an affect as you thought it would. Perhaps you only got in the car to go down the street and had the bad luck of getting caught. You may have simply felt fine to drive, until you saw the sirens flash in your rear view mirror.

Whatever the reason and whatever the explanation you may have, the fact remains that DUI cases can be very serious. Though judges are more likely to be lenient on first-time DUIs than repeat offenses, they still consider all DUIs rather significant offenses. In Connecticut, even a first-time DUI can carry penalties that could change your life for the worse. These include:

  • 45 day license suspension (followed by one year with a driving ignition interlock device)
  • A $500-$1000 fine
  • Up to 6 months of probation with 100 hours of community service, or up to 6 months in jail

As you can see, these penalties are nothing to scoff at. However, they aren’t the full extent of the potential consequences of a DUI. Having a DUI conviction on your record comes with certain obstacles you may now have to face. You may have trouble keeping your job or finding a new one, especially if you miss work because you were in court, serving time in jail or in community service, or unable to get there on a suspended license.

DUIs can be particularly devastating to your career if you work in certain professions, such as commercial driving. Even if your work has nothing to do with driving, having a DUI conviction on your record can harm your professional reputation or even your licensure. DUIs can also work against you in divorce and child custody agreements, and may disqualify you from various state and federal benefits and programs.

All of this is a lot of information to take in, and you may still be overwhelmed. This is perfectly understandable. Many people facing a first-time DUI feel just like you. They feel dispirited, and like there’s no one on their side to guide, advise, and support them.

Attorney Steven Tomeo wants you to know that you are not alone. If you are facing a first-time DUI in Waterford, Connecticut, Attorney Tomeo is here for you. An experienced DUI attorney with an encyclopedic knowledge of Connecticut DUI/DWI matters, Attorney Tomeo will fight on your behalf until he gets you the best outcome possible. He has highly specialized training in the legal and forensic science behind DUIs, which he will put to work on your case from day one.

When it comes to DUIs, especially first-time DUIs, having the right attorney is absolutely crucial. In the Waterford, CT area, Steven Tomeo is the right attorney for these matters. In fact, through diversion programs, Attorney Tomeo may even be able to get your charges dismissed.

Are you looking to beat your DUI charges and get on with your life? Are you in Waterford, CT? Don’t wait. Call Steven Tomeo and Associates at (860) 963-7441 for a free consultation.