What Additional Financial Penalties Could Someone Face For DUI Convictions In Connecticut? Is There Any Additional Financial Consequences To These Convictions?

The fees really start adding up in Connecticut. In the alcohol education program, the evaluations cost $200, while the classes themselves could cost up to $500. When your license is suspended, it costs $175 to have it restored. A work permit application fee can cost $100. There is the ignition interlock device, which can cost hundreds of dollars to install along with a monthly re-calibration fee of around $50.00 or more. Your insurance rates are likely to increase. With each conviction the costs increase significantly. In addition, there are the legal fees associated with the DUI charge.

The best advice is to avoid drinking and driving. Take UBER or a cab. Call a friend who has not had anything to drink. My experience with designated drivers is that while they are with you they do not sit around the bar with you and your friends drinking soda or water. You cannot outsmart the breath machine or the laws. Call a rideshare service, a taxi, or a friend to drive you to your destination.

When It Comes To The Sentencing Hearing For A DUI, What Happens Actually At That DUI Sentencing Hearing And Is There Any Room At That Point To Reduce Sentencing?

No matter how many offenses you have had, the judge is constrained by the law. The sentencing time periods are a matter of statute.

At sentencing the sentencing Judge must follow the mandatory sentencing cited in the statute, which are as follows:

Penalties for operation while under the influence. Any person who violates any provision of subsection (a) of this section shall: (1) For conviction of a first violation, (A) be fined not less than five hundred dollars or more than one thousand dollars, and (B) be (i) imprisoned not more than six months, forty-eight consecutive hours of which may not be suspended or reduced in any manner, or (ii) imprisoned not more than six months, with the execution of such sentence of imprisonment suspended entirely and a period of probation imposed requiring as a condition of such probation that such person perform one hundred hours of community service, as defined in section 14-227e, and (C) have such person’s motor vehicle operator’s license or nonresident operating privilege suspended for forty-five days and, as a condition for the restoration of such license, be required to install an ignition interlock device on each motor vehicle owned or operated by such person and, upon such restoration, be prohibited for the one-year period following such restoration from operating a motor vehicle unless such motor vehicle is equipped with a functioning, approved ignition interlock device, as defined in section 14-227j; (2) for conviction of a second violation within ten years after a prior conviction for the same offense, (A) be fined not less than one thousand dollars or more than four thousand dollars, (B) be imprisoned not more than two years, one hundred twenty consecutive days of which may not be suspended or reduced in any manner, and sentenced to a period of probation requiring as a condition of such probation that such person: (i) Perform one hundred hours of community service, as defined in section 14-227e, (ii) submit to an assessment through the Court Support Services Division of the Judicial Branch of the degree of such person’s alcohol or drug abuse, and (iii) undergo a treatment program if so ordered, and (C) have such person’s motor vehicle operator’s license or nonresident operating privilege suspended for forty-five days and, as a condition for the restoration of such license, be required to install an ignition interlock device on each motor vehicle owned or operated by such person and, upon such restoration, be prohibited for the three-year period following such restoration from operating a motor vehicle unless such motor vehicle is equipped with a functioning, approved ignition interlock device, as defined in section 14-227j, except that for the first year of such three-year period, such person’s operation of a motor vehicle shall be limited to such person’s transportation to or from work or school, an alcohol or drug abuse treatment program, an ignition interlock device service center or an appointment with a probation officer; and (3) for conviction of a third and subsequent violation within ten years after a prior conviction for the same offense, (A) be fined not less than two thousand dollars or more than eight thousand dollars, (B) be imprisoned not more than three years, one year of which may not be suspended or reduced in any manner, and sentenced to a period of probation requiring as a condition of such probation that such person: (i) Perform one hundred hours of community service, as defined in section 14-227e, (ii) submit to an assessment through the Court Support Services Division of the Judicial Branch of the degree of such person’s alcohol or drug abuse, and (iii) undergo a treatment program if so ordered, and (C) have such person’s motor vehicle operator’s license or nonresident operating privilege permanently revoked upon such third offense, except that if such person’s revocation is reversed or reduced pursuant to subsection (i) of section 14-111, such person shall be prohibited from operating a motor vehicle unless such motor vehicle is equipped with a functioning, approved ignition interlock device, as defined in section 14-227j, for the time period prescribed in subdivision (2) of subsection (i) of section 14-111. For purposes of the imposition of penalties for a second or third and subsequent offense pursuant to this subsection, a conviction under the provisions of subsection (a) of this section in effect on October 1, 1981, or as amended thereafter, a conviction under the provisions of either subdivision (1) or (2) of subsection (a) of this section, a conviction under the provisions of section 14-227m, a conviction under the provisions of subdivision (1) or (2) of subsection (a) of section 14-227n, a conviction under the provisions of section 53a-56b or 53a-60d or a conviction in any other state of any offense the essential elements of which are determined by the court to be substantially the same as subdivision (1) or (2) of subsection (a) of this section, section 14-227m, subdivision (1) or (2) of subsection (a) of section 14-227n or section 53a-56b or 53a-60d, shall constitute a prior conviction for the same offense.

At What Point In Someone’s Case Is It Critical To Hire An Experienced DUI Attorney In Connecticut?

If you can afford legal fees, then you should hire an experienced DUI Attorney immediately before going to court. An attorney can tell you your legal rights and responsibilities while looking out for your best interests.

If you cannot afford legal fees, get a public defender if you qualify.

Do not go into the criminal justice system without an attorney. You do not want to be talking with the prosecutor and the judge on your own.

For more information on DUI Sentencing In Connecticut, a free initial consultation is your next best step. Get the information and legal answers you are seeking by calling (860) 764-2744 today.