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Search for Connecticut DUI Attorneys by County.

Attorney Offices by Municipality

• Bridgeport
  • Frank Riccio: Pursuant to Federal Rule of Criminal Procedure (FRCP) 11, prosecutors may promise to move to dismiss other charges or recommend that the court authorize a specific sentence or sentencing range in order to encourage a criminal defendant to plead guilty to a certain charge. In addition, Rule 11 requires courts to advise a defendant considering entering into a plea agreement that the defendant has no right to withdraw the plea if the court does not follow the prosecutor's request or recommendation. In fact, failure to warn a defendant that there is no right to withdraw a plea if the court rejects the prosecutor's request or recommendation may entitle a defendant who is subsequently convicted to obtain relief based on a Rule 11 failing.
  • Krasnow & Krasnow: If you have been charged with a crime, you need to protect your rights as well as your reputation.
  • Meehan & Meehan: One of the most common and unforgiving crimes is driving while intoxicated and typically referred to as DWI or DUI. Connecticut treats this offense with extreme seriousness because of the risks involved with the operation of a motor vehicle while intoxicated. When an individual is arrested for DWI in Connecticut he or she must resolve the case in two separate forums. A DWI offender is prosecuted for the crime in Superior Court, but also faces suspension of his or her operating privileges at the Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) after an Administrative Per Se Hearing. It is critical to realize that you have a right to an attorney during the entire DWI proceeding. This forum requires the expertise of an attorney who is experienced in all of the issues that arise at both the Administrative Per Se Hearing and the criminal prosecution.
  • James O'Neill Ruane: What you say to the prosecutor is up to you. Oftentimes, it is a confusing play of events and it may be in your best legal interest to have an attorney representing your interests. The decision to hire an attorney is yours. Make the right choice for you. The judge will allow you the opportunity for a continuance to hire a lawyer. If you feel you should, take advantage of the time to contact a lawyer with whom you feel comfortable.
  • David Dworski: HIRE AN ATTORNEY WHO'S FOCUS IS DWI DEFENSE. The law is VERY technical and difficult for the arresting authorities to comply with error free. The Client should consult with a DWI professional IMMEDIATELY after arrest. This allows the most accurate & thorough reconstruction of events from memory, assisting the defense.
• Bristol
  • Andre Dorval: From initial arraignment through plea negotiations, and trial if necessary, it is imperative that you have the counsel of an experienced criminal attorney.
• Danbury
  • Pinney, Payne: Alcohol Education Program (AEP) This program, which is designed for those arrested for the first time for Operating Under the Influence (DWI), requires completion of either a 10 or 15 week group counseling session and attendance at a Victims Impact Panel. The program fee ranges from $425-650. After the expiration of one year, in the absence of any additional arrests for DWI, the charge will be dismissed. If serious physical injuries are involved, good cause must be shown before the program will be granted. A prior conviction of Connecticuts DWI statute, Section 14a-227a C.G.S., or a similar statute from another state, will disqualify an applicant from getting the program. The law does allow someone who has already successfully completed the program more than 10 years earlier to request entry into the program again.
  • Nina Trester: Have you or a loved one been arrested for DUI? Is this a first offense or has there been another DUI arrest in the past? Whether this is a first, second or third arrest, you or your loved one should consult with an attorney as soon as possible.
• East Hartford
  • Brian Woolf: Have you or has someone close to you been arrested for criminal or serious motor vehicle charges? Have you received a surprise visit or telephone call from law enforcement authorities asking questions about an investigation they are conducting, which may involve you? What you initially say and how you respond can have a profound impact not only on the final outcome of the matter, but more importantly on your life for a long time to come.
• Fairfield
  • Michael Tortora: Being charged with a crime can feel overwhelming. Indeed, the government depends on that feeling to make it easier for them to get a conviction. A criminal conviction can have severe and long-lasting consequences. A conviction can result in fines, jail and prison, loss of your drivers license, loss of certain civil rights, and bar you from future employment and credit. It is important to aggressively defend against a criminal charge.
• Farmington
  • Levy & Droney: As most people are aware, operating a motor vehicle while under the influence of alcohol is a criminal offense. Although most people think that the police must test the person's blood alcohol content in order to obtain a conviction, that is not the case. Operating "under the influence" may be prosecuted with or without any direct evidence of a person's blood alcohol content. The determinative issue is whether a person's ability to drive has been affected to an appreciable degree. This fact be proven through direct testimony of the police officers and/or other witnesses, without testing a person's blood alcohol content. However, in most cases, a breathalizer test is performed to test blood alcohol content, primarily because the refusal to take such a test requires an automatic 180 day suspension from the Motor Vehicle Department.
• Hartford
  • Hisham Leil: When you need the assistance of a qualified attorney, you want to ensure the utmost care and attention to your case.
  • Kent Avery: Can I represent myself? Yes, but it's not advisable. You have a constitutional right to represent yourself. However, DWI is a serious charge and the law is complex and the penalties severe. A qualified attorney knows the law and can negotiate with prosecutors on your behalf. An attorney can also review your case for errors, suppress evidence, and retain experts for your case.
  • Robert Fielder: Every charge misdemeanor or felony charge has the power to change someone's life forever.
  • Brown, Paindiris & Scott: If I get arrested will I always have a criminal conviction? There are all kinds of alternative programs available to those defendants who are first offenders for non serious crimes. Your attorney must be aware of these various programs to best protect your rights.
  • Kimberly Graham: The Sixth Amendment provides, in part, that criminal defendants have a right to "be confronted with the witnesses against [them]."  This provision is generally referred to as the "Confrontation Clause" and means that criminal defendants have the right to cross-examine their accusers or witnesses who are testifying against them.
  • Robert Muchinsky: DWI/DUI means "driving while intoxicated" or "driving while under the influence" and refers to the crime of drunk driving. This crime usually includes driving while abusing drugs and the operation of other kinds of motorized vehicles, such as boats. Drunk driving is defined by each state's criminal code. Spinella & Associates: Prosecutors have the vast resources of police departments and their own investigators working hard to make their case against people, often before they are even charged. These resources must be countered with an aggressive defense that includes state-of-the-art electronic research systems, expert witnesses who are available for the particular type of case involved, and criminal investigators ... to develop the best possible criminal defense.
• Marlborough
  • Peter Catania: If you have been accused or arrested for a crime, you need an attorney that will believe in you and fight for you. Don't trust your case, and your future, to an attorney that is just looking to collect a large fee and get rid of your case as soon as possible.
• Middleton
  • Fortuna & Carelli: The Laws of the State of Connecticut impose severe penalties on those arrested for driving under the influence of alcohol. Today, even "First Time Offenders" may be subject to heavy fines, suspension of driver's license, probation, alcohol treatment and counseling, and even jail time. In addition, an arrest for driving under the influence affects driving records for 10 years! This drastically affects automobile insurance premiums and may even result in the total loss of existing insurance.
• Milford
  • Grossman & Cohen: If you are arrested for a criminal, DWI, or other motor vehicle offense, you should consult your lawyer immediately. You should not give any statement to the police until you have conferred with your lawyer. If you confess or plead guilty to even a seemingly harmless offense, you may seriously prejudice your legal rights.
• New Haven
  • Jacos, Jacobs & Shannon: The crime of drunk driving is generally defined in two ways: (1) having a blood alcohol content above the limit set by law, or (2) driving under the influence of alcohol. To find a person guilty under the first definition, a jury must be convinced beyond a reasonable doubt that the person's blood alcohol content (BAC) exceeded a certain amount. In most states the legal limit is .08 percent. Therefore, if it is proved that the person's BAC at the time of the incident was .08 percent or greater, he or she can be convicted of drunk driving, regardless of how much alcohol was actually consumed. In contrast, the second definition does not refer to any particular BAC. It focuses on the driving behavior of the person; if it is impaired by the person's consumption of alcohol, he or she can be found guilty of drunk driving. Instead of presenting evidence of the BAC to a jury, the prosecution seeking a conviction under this definition generally presents testimony about the person's driving and consumption of alcohol. A police officer will often describe the impaired driving that lead him to pull the person over and the person's ability (or lack thereof) to perform field sobriety tests, such as walking a straight line. Evidence is also usually presented concerning the person's consumption of alcohol and if the jury then concludes that the prosecution has met its burden of proof, it will convict the person of drunk driving. A susceptible person may exhibit impaired driving after one drink and therefore be convicted of drunk driving.
  • William Palmieri: The crime of drunk driving is generally defined in two ways: (1) having a blood alcohol content above the limit set by law, or (2) driving under the influence of alcohol.
  • Williams & Pattis: Evidence of a criminal defendant's prior crimes or convictions may be relevant in a proceeding for a subsequent offense.
  • Paul Carty: The Fourth Amendment prohibition against unreasonable searches and seizures generally requires police officers to obtain a warrant based upon probable cause before performing an arrest. Intended to protect against unreasonable searches and arbitrary arrests, the warrant requirement has traditionally been strictly enforced to prevent violations of constitutional privacy interests. However, the U.S. Supreme Court has held that an officer may arrest an individual without a warrant if there is probable cause to believe that the offender has committed even a very minor criminal offense in the officer's presence.
  • Jacobs, Grudberg, Belt & Dow: If you believe you may be charged with a crime, or have been charged with a crime, you should consult with an attorney immediately. The consequences of a misdemeanor or felony conviction are extremely serious, and may include large fines and incarceration. Should you be charged with a crime, our criminal lawyers will be able to determine whether you are eligible for a pretrial diversion program, which may enable you to avoid having a criminal record.
• New London
  • Steven Tomeo: What happens when I get charged with DUI? Two things: One, you have to go to the Connecticut Superior Court in the Geographic Area where you were arrested and defend the DUI charge in Court. Two, you will receive a suspension notice from the DMV and You have to schedule a hearing challenging the suspension.
• New Milford
  • Thomas Allingham: It is important to understand that an arrest for driving under the influence in Connecticut results in action in two distinct forums, the Superior Court and the Department of Motor Vehicles. In the Superior Court, a defendant is prosecuted for having violated the law. In the Department of Motor Vehicles, an operator's permit may be suspended administratively for failing or refusing to submit to a chemical alcohol test. Although the action in each forum is based on the same set of facts, each forum acts independently of the other.
• Niantic
  • Ronald Stevens: After being arrested for a DUI in Connecticut, you must immediately take steps to protect yourself and your driving privilege. No longer is drunk driving a minor charge. You need an aggressive, experienced and seasoned lawyer who will be able to protect your rights.
• Norwalk
  • Mark Krattner: When you drink, alcohol from the drink is absorbed into your blood stream. Various tests have been designed to measure the level of alcohol in your blood. In Connecticut, if your blood alcohol level is greater than .10, you are presumed to be too intoxicated to safely operate an automobile. However, you can still be drunk even if your blood alcohol level is less than .10. Further, in Connecticut with a blood alcohol level of .07 or more you also may be considered legally impaired to drive a vehicle.
• Plainville
  • Thompson & Vollono: If you are charged with Operating While Under the Influence of Alcohol or Drugs, and you have never been convicted of Operating Under the Influence in Connecticut or any other state and you have never previously used the Alcohol Education Program, then you may be eligible for the Alcohol Education Program. This is a one year program with required classes and possible counseling. A non refundable fee is required to participate in this program. If this program is successfully completed, the charges will be dismissed.
• South Windsor
  • Kevin Rennie: If you have been charged with a crime in State court, and you are convicted you may have large fines, court costs, and even jail time imposed upon you. A conviction can have long standing consequences. Even a simple traffic offense or a DUI can also cause your insurance rates to skyrocket, and may even cost you your privilege to drive. It is important to aggressively defend against such charges. You have the right to have your attorney at all criminal proceedings.
• Stamford
  • Joseph Colarusso: DWI and DUI cases are built on sobriety tests and officer observations. Hiring an experienced attorney can prove that the officers observations, and the chemical (breath & blood) tests may be inaccurate. Most people falsely believe that the machines used in these tests are infallible. To believe that they always work, every time, is like believing your car will never break down. Machines dont always work properly.
  • Edward Nemcheck: Persons charged in Connecticut with Driving While Under the Influence (DUI) face two separate types of sanctions.In addition to the criminal charge, a suspect is also exposed to a "per se" administrative suspension from the Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV). In most cases the motor vehicle sanctions will be imposed much earlier than any criminal penalties. In all cases, they will be imposed in addition to criminal penalties and will appear on one's driv-ing record. Because the criminal and administrative actions are independent of each other, it is possible to still receive a suspension from the DMV even if the criminal charge of DUI is dismissed.
• Trumbull
  • Abrahaam Hoffman: A conviction on DUI/DWI charges will result in fines, driver's license suspension or revocation, and possibly land you in jail. In addition, your insurance company may increase your rates to an unmanageable level. In defending against an impaired driving charge, you have many rights as a criminal defendant, including the right to cross-examine the witnesses against you, even if they are police officers. Consulting an experienced attorney ... can make all the difference.
• Wallingford
  • Carbutti & Pappas: A conviction for drunk driving (DUI) in Connecticut carries serious and long term consequences. A first offense can result in large fines, loss of your driveršs license, community service, probation, and even jail time. A second offense can result in large fines, lengthy suspension of your driveršs license, and mandatory jail time. A third or subsequent DUI is a felony and will result in jail time, a felony criminal record, loss of certain civil rights, and loss of your driveršs license for a minimum of one year. You must take a DUI charge seriously because the police, prosecutors, and judges take DUI seriously.
• Waterbury
  • Michael Gannon: Pursuant to FRE 609, evidence of a witness's prior felony convictions may be admissible to impeach the credibility of the witness, as long as the probative value of the evidence is not substantially outweighed by the danger of unfair prejudice. Similarly, evidence of a defendant's prior felony convictions may be admissible to impeach the credibility of the defendant, if the court determines that the probative value of the evidence outweighs its prejudicial effect to the accused. This is a less restrictive measure than the one required for witnesses, which means that it is easier to impeach a defendant with evidence of a prior felony conviction than it is to impeach another witness. Further, evidence that any witness (including the defendant) has been convicted of any crime of dishonesty is admissible for impeachment purposes. However, a prior conviction that is more than 10 years old will usually be inadmissible, unless the court determines that the probative value of the conviction substantially outweighs its prejudicial effect. In this case, the proponent of the evidence must give the other party "sufficient advance written notice of intent to use such evidence."
• West Hartford
  • Ralph Sherman Going to criminal court without an attorney is like hiking in the jungle without a guide. Even if you have never been arrested before, you need an attorney to protect your rights. It is NOT the prosecutor's job to look out for you. The only person who's going to help you in criminal court is your own attorney. This is true even for DWI and some other motor-vehicle charges.
• Westport
  • Sheriff & Sheriff: Drunk driving is technically referred to as DWI which stands for driving under the influence of alcohol or a controlled substance to the extent that your normal faculties are impaired. Even though most people arrested for DWI are generally nice people in the wrong place at the wrong time, DWI has long been considered a serious threat to public safety. This is because DWIs can kill people.
• Willimantic
  • Prue, Lavigne & Bacharach: An officer must have probable cause to administer field sobriety tests (walk a straight line, recite the alphabet, etc.), or to ask you to submit to a breathalyzer test. If you are pulled over for a reason (speeding, running a red light, etc.) and the officer smells alcohol, observes bloodshot eyes, slurred speech, or other signs of intoxication, he or she has probable cause to administer these tests. If the officer asks you to take a breathalyzer, you can refuse. However, refusal leads to an automatic six-month suspension of your license. Taking the exam and being found intoxicated results in a 90 day suspension.
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