CT DUI Laws
Connecticut DUI/DWI Laws & Penalties
In CT, it’s a criminal offense to drive if you’re under the influence of drugs or alcohol. If you’re arrested for a DWI or DUI in Connecticut, you should consult an experienced criminal defense attorney immediately for legal advice. However, here is an overview of what you can expect if you’re facing a DWI or DUI in CT.
Connecticut DUI Penalties
If you’re charged with a DWI or DUI in CT, you’re facing two separate issues – a license suspension, and a criminal case.
License Suspension
If you’re arrested for a DUI in CT, your license may be suspended immediately – especially if you fail the breath test or refuse to take one. You may also have a DMV hearing, which is different from the criminal case.
Criminal Case
Under Connecticut DUI law, the criminal courts can impose a range of penalties if you’re found guilty of a DUI/DWI. CT DUI penalties include fines, license suspension, community service, alcohol treatment programs, and jail time depending on the severity of the offense.
Any CT DUI or related charge can dramatically impact your life, even if you aren’t at serious risk of jail time. For most people, it’s a real hardship to lose their driver’s license. You may find it difficult to travel or even find employment. Penalties such as fines and probation can also be challenging to deal with.
If you or a loved one faces charges for allegedly breaking CT DUI laws, you need urgent legal advice. For an immediate phone consultation on any CT DUI charge, please call me immediately. I answer my own phone, and I can talk to you right away.
License Suspension and DUI Laws in CT
Immediately after you are arrested on a drunk driving / DUI charge in Connecticut, you are subject to a license suspension based on a failure of the breathalyzer, or refusal to take the test. The license suspension is an administrative penalty issued by the Connecticut DMV.
CT DUI Penalties for Refusing to Submit to a Breathalyzer Test
If you refuse to take a breath test, the license suspension is longer than if you had failed with a very high BAC level.
Refusal penalties are in addition to any license suspension penalties as a result of being found guilty or convicted of the CT DUI/DWI charge.
CT DUI Laws and Minors – Under 21 Breathalyzer Failure Penalties
The penalties for failing a breath test if you are under 21 (the legal drinking age) result from a BAC reading of 0.02 or higher. The penalties are:
- For a first offense, your license will be suspended for 90 days.
- For a second offense, your license will be suspended for 9 months.
- For a third offense, your license will be suspended for 2 years.
Connecticut DUI Penalties
First Offense DUI:
- Jail for 6 months. Either 48 hours mandatory minimum must be served, or a suspended sentence with 100 hours of community service
- Fines of $500-1000
- Driver’s license suspended for 1 year.
Second Offense DUI:
A drunk driving charge is considered a second offense if you have a previous conviction within 10 years.
- 2 years in jail. 120 days mandatory minimum must be served, along with 100 hours of community service
- Fines of $1,000-$4,000
- Driver’s license suspended for 3 years (or until age 21, whichever is longer)
Third Offense DUI:
A drunk driving charge is considered a third offense if you have at least one previous conviction within 10 years (of the two convictions).
- 3 years in Jail. 1 year mandatory minimum must be served, along with 100 hours of community service
- Fines of $1,000-$4,000
- Driver’s license suspended permanently (revoked).
DUI Laws in CT | What to Do If You’ve Been Accused of Drunk Driving in Connecticut
If you are pulled over or questioned following an accident and accused by a police officer of driving under the influence, the first thing to remember is to remain calm. Don’t attempt to argue with the police or get angry.
If they ask you for your driver’s license and vehicle registration, comply with the request. Follow all the officers’ requests in a calm, respectful manner. The officers are observing you for signs of intoxication, such as the smell of alcohol or marijuana, slurred speech, or unsteady movements.
You can refuse to answer a police officer’s questions about where you are driving from or whether you’ve been drinking. If the officers ask you to perform field sobriety tests or blow into a Breathalyzer, you may also refuse to do so. If you choose not to answer questions or perform tests, always remain respectful and courteous toward the officers.
If you fail field sobriety or breathalyzer tests or refuse to take them, you will likely be arrested on suspicion of DUI. Officers may continue to question you after they put you under arrest. Politely decline to answer any questions and request to speak with an attorney. Make sure you speak your request loudly enough so that it is recorded by any recording devices.