Driving under influence (DUI) or driving while intoxicated/impaired (DWI) is an offense committed when a driver operates a vehicle after the consumption of alcohol, drugs or other intoxicants. The increased alcohol level in a driver’s blood decreases mental and motor skills. This reduces a driver’s ability to control the vehicle and increases driver errors of judgment and often results in accidents causing severe injuries and even death!

Drunk driving is the single largest cause of motor vehicle related fatalities. It accounts for a high of 38% to 52% of the total number of motor vehicle related deaths each year.

In Connecticut, the Blood Alcohol Content (BAC) limit is set at:

0.08% – for drivers over 21 years of age

0.04% – for commercial drivers (CDL)

0.02% – for drivers under 21 years of age

Having a license in the state of Connecticut automatically renders “implied consent”. “Implied consent” can be used by the officer to test your BAC level if you are stopped on the suspicion of drunk driving, either through a Breathalyzer test or by an actual blood test. Refusing to take the chemical test will result in your license being revoked for at least 6 months. If you are convicted of DUI/DWI, it is recommended that you get in touch with a DUI/DWI lawyer as they are experts at handling such incidents and can offer you the best advice.

Insurance companies keep a close watch on DUI violations. Your insurance premiums may go up drastically, and you may be labeled a “high-risk” customer. Even worse, your insurance company may cancel your policy, leaving you to search for insurance with the “high-risk” driver tag, meaning you’ll have to pay much higher premiums.

If convicted of a DUI/ DWI the ramifications include: Heavy Fines, Points on your drivers license, and a License Suspension or Revocation, and higher Insurance Premiums! Points are assessed based on the severity of the offense and the number of convictions. All this information can be found on our website. You could also contact Ticket Counsel absolutely FREE!!!

• Imprisonment for up to 6 months (minimum 2 days).
• A $1,000 fine.
• 3 points will be added to your driving record.
• Your license will be suspended for 1 year.
• You need to perform 100 hours of community service in lieu of the imprisonment.
• You may be eligible to drive using the Work Only Driver’s Permit, after 90 days of suspension, and then become eligible to reinstate your license, if you meet the reinstatement requirements.

(within 10 years) “persistent offender”

• Imprisonment for up to 2 years (mandatory at least up to 120 continuous days).
• Up to a $4,000 fine.
• 3 points will be added to your driving record.
• Your license will be revoked for 3 years.
• You need to perform mandatory community service for 100 hours in lieu of the imprisonment.

(within 10 years) “persistent offender”

• Imprisonment for up to 3 years (mandatory at least 1 year).
• Up to an $8,000 fine.
• 3 points will be added to your driving record.
• You need to perform mandatory community service for 100 hours in lieu of the imprisonment.
• Your license will be permanently revoked.

• 3 points will be added to your driving record and your license suspended or revoked, if you are convicted under the “Minor In Possession/Other Alcohol Offenses Law” – trying to purchase, possessing or having purchased any intoxicant; or being intoxicated using alcohol, drugs or other intoxicants; or having a BAC higher than 0.02% while driving.
• The license may be suspended or revoked for 1 year after the 1st conviction, for 3 years after the 2nd conviction or up to your 21st birthday, which ever is later, and permanently following the 3rd conviction.
• Minors convicted of possessing alcohol on highways or streets will have their license suspended for 60 days and for 30 days for possessing alcohol on private property or in a public places besides highways or public streets.
• A 16 or 17 year old caught driving under influence of alcohol will have his administrative license immediately seized by a police officer and suspended for 48 hours and his/her vehicle can be removed from the scene. The license can be suspended for at least 1 year or up to your 18th birthday, whichever is later, if BAC is 0.02% or more. If he/she refuses to be tested the suspension will be for 18 months.
• You are not eligible to participate in an Ignition Interlock Device program.
• Aside from these actions, penalties mentioned above for drivers over 21, may also apply to minors if they are convicted of DUI/DWI.