North Haven, Connecticut, DWI/DUI Defense Attorney
A DWI/DUI arrest can result in jail. While you can avoid jail for a first offense by performing community service, a subsequent conviction will mean a mandatory jail sentence of 120 days. To protect your freedom, it is important to avoid a first DWI/DUI conviction.
I am Christopher Duby, a DWI/DUI defense lawyer in North Haven. My goal in any DWI/DUI case is to protect your driver's license, your freedom and your good name.
Connecticut DUI/DWI Jail Sentences
Connecticut has a graduated sentencing system where each subsequent drunk driving conviction is punished more severely, as shown below:
Number of DWI/DUI Offenses |
Length of Jail Sentence |
|
First offense. |
One-year suspended sentence after you serve 48 hours in jail or perform 100 hours of community service. |
|
Second offense. |
Two-year suspended sentence after you serve 120 days in jail. You go to jail for at least 120 days. |
|
Third offense. |
Three-year suspended sentence after you serve one year in jail. You go to jail for at least one year. |
|
Driving a motor vehicle after driver's license suspension for an alcohol-related offense. |
One year in jail, 30 days of which cannot be suspended. You go to jail for at least 30 days unless the judge finds "mitigating circumstances." |
A suspended sentence is jail time that you are not required to serve if you stay out of trouble. However, that sentence will be hanging over you. If you are arrested again, you could be sent to jail to serve the length of your suspended sentence and any additional time that may result if you are convicted of the new offense.
Can I Go To Trial For My DWI/DUI Arrest?
Yes. I tell clients that you go to trial on cases when that is the only chance you have at getting the result you deserve. If the State cannot prove that you were operating a motor vehicle on a public highway with an elevated blood alcohol content, yet they will not dismiss the case, you may have to go to trial.
Trials are stressful, expensive and emotional. It is difficult to hear a police officer testify about what he or she said you did the night of the arrest when you disagree. It is hard to have jurors look at you after something critical of you comes up. Waiting while a jury deliberates is a slow form of torture.
So you can go to trial. But only if you demand a trial after knowing all of the details.
Do I Have To Go To Trial?
No. As with any legal case, how to resolve it is entirely up to you. My job is to make sure you understand the details of your case and the consequences of any particular decision. A dismissal, nolle or plea means no trial. Getting these results varies from case to case. Regardless, the decision is entirely yours.
Free attorney consultation
For more information about DWI/DUI jail sentences in Connecticut, call lawyer Christopher Duby at 866-421-9165 24 hours a day or complete our simple contact form.
