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Christopher Duby- The Advantages
of Having a Connecticut DWI/DUI Lawyer
The old saying, "A person who represents himself has
a fool for a client," holds true in DWI/DUI cases. Given the consequences
of a DWI/DUI conviction — driver's license suspension, jail time,
the loss of your good name, fines, expensive alcohol education classes
and increased auto insurance rates — there are many reasons to hire
a lawyer to represent you.
I am Christopher Duby, a DWI/DUI defense lawyer in
North Haven. If you have been arrested for DWI/DUI, I offer a free
initial consultation to discuss your case. I will explain the entire
process to you and you have this opportunity to ask any questions
about your case that you may have.
A typical DWI/DUI charge can end up costing you well
over $10,000 when you consider the cost of fines, driver's license
reinstatement fees and high-risk insurance. If you have a commercial
driver's license, a drunk driving conviction can, in certain circumstances,
mean the loss of your livelihood. Even after your driver's license
is reinstated, the added insurance cost for a commercial driver
may be unaffordable.
Many people have no choice but to fight a DWI/DUI
conviction. And the only way to fight a conviction effectively is
to hire an experienced attorney.
Connecticut Alcohol Education
Program
If you have not had a prior DWI conviction, you may
apply for the Connecticut alcohol education program. The AEP is
a diversionary program that allows you to avoid a DWI/DUI conviction
if you complete a program of 10 or 15 sessions. You are given one
year to complete the program and, if you do so without any future
problems, you will have a clean record.
Only an attorney can advise you whether the AEP would
be the best option for you, or whether you should fight the charges.
Learn More About DWI/DUI
Jail Sentences in Connecticut
Connecticut has a graduated sentencing system where
each subsequent drunk driving conviction is punished more severely,
as shown below:
| Number of DWI/DUI Offenses |
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Length of Jail Sentence |
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| First Offense |
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One-year suspended sentence after you serve 48
hours in jail or perform 100 hours of community service. |
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| Second Offense |
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Two-year suspended sentence after you serve 120
days in jail. You go to jail for at least 120 days. |
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| Third Offense |
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Three-year suspended sentence after you serve
one year in jail. You go to jail for at least one year. |
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| Driving a motor vehicle after driver's license
suspension for an alcohol-related offense. |
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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." |
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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
To discuss your case with Connecticut lawyer Christopher
Duby, call 203-234-2888 24 hours a day or complete our simple contact
form.
My philosophy as a lawyer is simple:
- Put the client first
- Respond to phone calls
- Schedule a free initial consultation no matter
what your case is about
The Law Office of Christopher Duby LLC is located
at 22 Broadway, North Haven, CT 06473. View
Google Map and directions.
Connecticut Attorney
Christopher Duby represents clients in New Haven County, Hartford
County, Fairfield County and Middlesex County in Connecticut, including
the communities of New Haven, Hamden, North Haven, East Haven, Branford,
Madison, Milford, West Haven, Cheshire, Meriden, Wallingford, Guilford,
North Branford, Woodbridge, Bethany, Monroe, Trumbull, Easton, Fairfield,
Stratford, Bridgeport, Oxford, Beacon Falls, Seymour, Ansonia, Derby,
Orange, Shelton, Clinton, Westbrook, Old Saybrook, Middletown, Middlefield,
Portland, Durham, Prospect, Naugatuck, Wolcott, Waterbury, Watertown,
Middlebury, Woodbury, Southbury, Southington.
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