Driving Under the Influence (DUI), Driving While Intoxicated (DWI), or drunk driving can all refer to the same offense under the laws of Connecticut. If the police officer pulls you over for possible DUI offense, you can face severe charges for it. To avoid the hassles of court and administrative cases, it makes sense to educate yourself about the grounds for DUI/DWI conviction.
In Connecticut, you will be arrested for DUI based solely on your driving manner. If you have an obviously impaired driving pattern due to the presence of alcohol or drugs in your system then you could face DWI consequences for it. The same goes if your chemical blood alcohol content (BAC) test indicates that you have a BAC of .08% or higher, even if you still manage to drive smoothly.
DUI Arrests in Connecticut
There are two distinct types of penalties in a Connecticut DUI case. First, you need to be concerned with your immediate license suspension in a Connecticut DMV hearing. If you do not request this hearing within seven days of your arrest then you will automatically lose your right to drive having your license suspended. Second, you will have to face the criminal court to determine the rest of the consequences for your DUI offense, such as possible jail time, fines, community service, alcohol treatment programs, and more. The law also requires you to undergo a blood or breathe test to determine your BAC, or the blood alcohol content in your system. Your refusal for the BAC examination will only mean tougher consequences, including a six-month license suspension. Likewise, keep in mind that the Connecticut DUI offenses are kept for 10 years in files. Therefore, the authorities will know your record of past offenses and likewise use your record against you in your subsequent offenses.
Nonetheless, you do not have to argue your case alone. You have the right to contact a good lawyer to help you get through with your case.
Basic Consequences for First Time Offenders
Your first conviction for a Connecticut DUI case mandates you to face the following penalties and punishments:
You have the choice to avoid spending jail time by rendering 100 hours of community service. Furthermore, subsequent offenses could mean tougher penalties and punishments.
License Suspensions for Connecticut DUI
The penalties for a drunk-driving conviction are getting even tougher. Not only that you will face all mentioned consequences, you will also lose your right to drive in the following manner:
If you refuse to take the BAC test, the license suspension is longer than the mentioned period. Likewise, if you fail to request a hearing within seven days of your arrest, license suspension may immediately take its effect even before your criminal court hearing is set. Nonetheless, you can still apply for a special permit to allow you to drive to and from work while serving your suspension.
Insurance Consequences
There’s more! Apart from the above-discussed consequences, you will also need to settle issues with your insurance company. You know too well how insurance companies do business. Having a DUI conviction on your record is a threat to your existing coverage. Your car insurance company may either cancel your policy, or increase your premiums. If you are dropped, you may find it so tough to have a new policy again.