Connecticut DUI Consequences
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From Alaska to Hawaii, drunk driving is illegal in every area of the United States. Yet despite this fact, countless drivers are charged with driving under the influence of alcohol (DUI) each year. Unfortunately, those who are arrested in Connecticut not only face some of the toughest sentencing guidelines in the nation, but also long-term Connecticut DUI consequences.
Under state law, a Connecticut DUI conviction carries penalties such as a $500 fine, 48-hour jail sentence, and a six-month license suspension—and keep in mind that these guidelines are for a first-time offender. If you have a prior drunk driving conviction on your record, you can expect to pay a minimum $1,000 fine and lose your driving privileges for the next year or more. Depending on the circumstances of your arrest, you may even spend up to 120 days in jail.
Along with fines, jail time, and a license suspension, the penalties for a first or second DUI conviction often include community service. Your vehicle may also be impounded—and, of course, you will be responsible for any storage and/or towing costs associated with the impoundment.
If you think those penalties are severe, consider this: if you are convicted of three or more DUIs within a ten-year period, a subsequent charge can cost you anywhere from $2,000 to $8,000 in fines. In addition, a third drunk driving conviction also carries up to a one-year jail sentence and a permanent license revocation.
Finally, it is important to realize the effect a DUI conviction can have on your personal life. Your offense will permanently appear on your criminal record, which means anyone who checks your background will see that you were found guilty of drunk driving—a fact that can limit countless housing, employment, and educational opportunities in the future. And, as if that isn’t enough, you may also have to pay two to three times more for auto insurance because of your conviction.
In light of all the penalties you face if you are convicted of driving under the influence, it is easy to see why so many drivers decide to obtain legal counsel after being arrested for DUI. What’s more, with the right legal strategy, a large number of them are able to reduce or avoid many of the consequences listed above. To learn how you can do the same, submit your information online today to receive a free, no-obligation consultation with a skilled DUI defense attorney in your area.
