What to Know About Getting a DUI in New Haven, Connecticut

You have rights during your DUI stop. If you are pulled over under suspicion of a DUI in New Haven, Connecticut, you have certain rights. According to Connecticut DUI law, if you are pulled over, you are required to give the officer your license, you registration, and your proof of insurance. You are NOT required to give them any additional information. This includes answering questions about whether you have been drinking or how much you have had to drink. You are also not required to undergo a Field Sobriety Test (maneuvers that are performed by a person, ostensibly to test their sobriety), or to submit to a Preliminary Alcohol Screening (a breathalyzer preliminarily during the stop). If an officer tells you that you are required to do any of the abovementioned things, they are not acting in accordance with Connecticut State Law.

There are serious potential penalties for a DUI in Connecticut. If you are arrested for a DUI in New Haven, Connecticut, the potential penalties you may face can be quite steep. In addition, a DUI arrest will set off two separate processes: a criminal process through the New Haven Superior Court, and a civil process through the Connecticut Department of Motor Vehicles.

For a first-time DUI offender, penalties may include:

• Up to 6 months in prison, with a mandatory minimum of two days
• $500-$1,000 in fines
• At least 100 hours of community service (in probation cases)
• A 45-day license suspension, followed by one year with an interlock ignition device

For a second-time DUI offender, penalties may include:

• Up to 2 years in prison, with a mandatory minimum of 120 consecutive days
• $1,000-$4,000 in fines
• At least 100 hours of community service
• A 45-day license suspension, followed by three years with an interlock ignition device. In the first year, travel is limited to or from work, school, alcohol or drug treatment, or the interlock device center.

For a third-time or subsequent DUI offender, penalties may include:

• Up to 3 years in prison, with a mandatory minimum of 1 year in prison
• $2,000-$8,000 in fines
• At least 100 hours of community service
• License revocation, with eligibility for reinstatement after two years (with an interlock ignition device for at least 15 years.

An attorney can help—and is essential for a good outcome. Though the potential penalties for a New Haven DUI are no joking matter, a DUI arrest does not necessarily mean that you will suffer the worst consequences that Connecticut has to offer. In many cases, especially first-time DUI cases, Connecticut DUI judges are willing to extend leniency if presented with the right argument on a defendant’s behalf. However, in order for that to happen in your case, it is absolutely essential for you to have an experienced, knowledgeable New Haven DUI attorney on your side. The right DUI attorney can properly examine your case and may be able to get potential sentencing reduced, or even get your conviction thrown out altogether.

If you are facing a DUI in New Haven, Connecticut, Attorney Steven Tomeo is ready to help. Attorney Tomeo is a qualified expert in Connecticut DUI law, with years of experience both in and out of the courtroom. He knows what it takes to go to bat for his clients, and to deliver the best possible results in New Haven DUI cases. He also knows what’s at stake for his clients, and will do everything in his power to advocate on their behalf. Don’t let a DUI derail your life. Call Steven Tomeo and Associates now at (860) 764-2744 for a free consultation on your case.