DUI Reference Guide

Connecticut DUI Laws

Driving under the influence is dangerous and it is against the law.  The blood alcohol concentration for individuals in Connecticut, must read below 0.08% or a person is considered legally intoxicated.  Minors (anyone under 21) will be charged with DUI if their BAC is 0.02% or more. 

Remember that according to Connecticut driving statues, you have provided consent to submit to testing for intoxication if you are ever suspected of driving under the influence.  You might also want to keep in mind that although you might think you have not had enough to drink to be intoxicated, the blood reports could tell a different story.  Just one or two drinks can often raise your BAC to illegal levels.

If convicted of DUI, you will face charges from both the department of motor vehicles and from court proceedings.  The DMV case will result in your license being suspended for an amount of time based on your BAC, age and the number of DUI offenses you have committed.  Due to the informed consent rule, you cannot refuse testing for your alcohol levels.  If you do so, you will lose your license for six months.  For a second offense with refusal to submit to testing, you will lose your license for one year.  On a third offense, your refusal will result in a three-year license suspension.

If you are convicted of a DUI with a BAC of 0.08% and up (without reaching 0.16%) you will lose yout license for 90 days on a first offense, 9 months on a second and two years on a third offense.  If your BAC is 0.16% or higher you will have yout license removed for 120 days the first time, 10 months on a second offense and 2 ½ years on a third.  Driver’s under the age of 21 who have a BAC that is at or exceeding 0.02% will lose their license for 90 days on a first offense, 9 months on a second and two years for a third offense.

The penalties imposed by the DVM are separate from any ordered by the court.  Typically a court case will come some time after the DMV penalties have been enacted.  Whenever you have your license suspended it does become a part of your driving record and can affect car insurance rates.

If you are arrested for DUI, you will also face criminal charges for your DUI.  These penalties and punishments are separate from those of the DMV.  These punishments are based on first time offenses.   For one year, you will not have your license.  Fines associated with the DUI will range from $500-$1000.  You could find yourself in jail for 48 hours up to six months.  You might be granted the opportunity to forego jail time if you provide 100 hours in community service. 

A second offense will result in even more stringent penalties.  You could find yourself in jail for anywhere from 120 days to one year.  Your license will be removed for one year after which time you will need to place an ignition interlock system in your vehicle for two years.  A fine of $1000 to $4000 will also be attached to your penalties.

As a third time offender, you will have a hefty price to pay for your DUI all the way around.  Fines can be as much as $8000.  Your license will be revoked and you will no longer be eligible to drive at any time in Connecticut.  In addition you can be sentenced to one to three years in prison. 

If you have been arrested for a DUI, you have the right to have a hearing.  However, you must request this hearing no more than seven days after you are arrested.  It can be a good idea to consult with a DUI lawyer.  When consulting with a lawyer, ask how much experience they have handling DUI cases.  Ask them about the laws for DUI so that you can discover how much they know.  You might also want to have a lawyer represent when the time comes for time in court for the criminal aspects of the DUI.  Again, they can help you to receive fair treatment during your trial.