Criminal Law

Driver’s License Suspension

admin2022-07-14T14:31:48+00:00As a result of a DUI conviction, traffic offense conviction, or other issues, many citizens have dealt with the hassle and uncertainty of losing their license, only to discover that the process for getting a license restored is much more difficult than expected. Every case is different, and the license restoration process can be very complicated. Non-DUI License Suspension 1) If you forgot or ignored an issued ticket, your driver’s license can get suspended pursuant to Connecticut General Statute 14-140. This requires the DMV to suspend the license until you pay the ticket or it goes back to the docket. 2) Your driver’s license can get suspended if you accumulate too many points on your driving record for traffic offenses or speeding tickets. There is no warning before a points suspension. 3) If you plead guilty to operating under suspension or other serious motor vehicle violations , you could face suspension pursuant to state law. If you operate while under suspension, the penalty is a five year suspension.

Harassment Charges

admin2022-07-14T14:31:14+00:00Being charged with harassment can be stressful. Don’t try to fight the charges yourself. To ensure that you aren’t convicted unfairly, contact an attorney today. Levels of Harassment To be charged with harassment in the second degree, you must be accused of

• using indecent/obscene language over the phone, or
• delivering an annoying, harassing, or alarming message over fax, snail mail, email, social media (ex. Facebook), or any other type of electronic communication, or
• intentionally making a telephone call that causes annoyance or alarm

Second-degree harassment is a class C misdemeanor that carries up to 90 days of jail, probation, and a $500 fine. First degree harassment is less commonly charged. It is first-degree harassment when

• the harasser is a convicted felon, and
• the harasser intentionally makes a threat to kill or injure someone else by phone, fax, snail mail, email, social media (ex. Facebook), or any other type of electronic communication

It is a class D felony charge that carries a maximum of 5 years of jail time, probation, and a $5000 fine.

Speeding Ticket

admin2022-07-14T14:30:31+00:00Speeding or traveling unreasonably fast can be punished harshly in Connecticut. Depending on how fast you were going, speeding can result in severe penalties. If you plead guilty, you will accumulate points on your driving record, which can impact your insurance rates and more. Speeding v.s. Traveling Unreasonably Fast  Speeding carries a higher penalty than Traveling Unreasonably Fast. Speeding, codified in C.G.S. § 14-219, involves a driver exceeding a posted speed limit by over 20 miles per hour if the driver is driving under 85 miles per hour. (If they are driving over 85 miles per hour, they can be charged with Reckless Driving). Traveling Unreasonably Fast, codified in C.G.S. § 14-218a, involves a driver exceeding a posted speed limit by under 20 miles per hour. Both Speeding and Traveling Unreasonably Fast are traffic infractions, but Speeding has more of an impact on DMV driving privileges and insurance rates.

Traffic Offenses

admin2022-07-14T14:29:57+00:00Traffic offenses may not seem like serious infractions, but they can have significant consequences. Under Connecticut law, traffic violations can cause a driver to incur “penalty points”. These points affect insurance rates and more. If you plead guilty to any of the violations and misdemeanors listed below, you could be assessed penalty points on your driving history, be forced to take a driver’s education retraining course, and in some scenarios, have your driving privileges suspended by the DMV. Additionally, there are significant auto insurance consequences that result from guilty pleas to the below charges. Common infractions include speeding, traveling unreasonably fast, operating a cell phone/texting while driving, failing to stop for a school bus stop sign, failing to obey traffic signals/running red lights, reckless driving, and evading responsibility/leaving the scene of an accident, among others.

Theft

admin2022-07-14T14:27:08+00:00Being convicted of theft can have serious consequences. It can lead to potential jail time, large fines, a permanent criminal record, and/or employers denying you job opportunities. If you’re facing a theft charge, our team can defend you and help with getting the charge dropped or reduced. Depending on the value of the money or property stolen, theft (larceny) can be either a misdemeanor or a felony in Connecticut. Misdemeanor: A larceny involving property valued at $1000 or less can result in a misdemeanor conviction with a prison sentence of up to 1 year. Felony: A larceny involving property valued over $1000 can result in a felony conviction with a prison sentence of 1 to 20 years.

Assault

admin2022-07-14T14:26:10+00:00Being accused of assault can be stressful, but our team can guide you through the legal process and win a favorable result. Connecticut criminal law has three levels of assault: first, second, and third degree. If the assault is aggravated, the fines can be more significant and the sentences can be longer. Penalties can range from driver’s license suspension to inability to obtain employment. If you have been accused of assault, call an attorney today. Degrees of Assault Third degree assault is the least serious of the three levels. A person can be arrested for first degree assault if they cause bodily harm to someone with intent to hurt them, serious injury occurs to someone as a result of their actions, or if they cause an injury with a weapon. Second degree assault is more serious. A person can be arrested for second degree assault if they caused serious physical injury to another person with intent in the course of the assault, which usually means causing them a broken bone injury. First degree assault is the most serious charge. A person can be arrested for first degree assault if they intend to cause serious bodily harm to another person, cause serious harm or disfigurement to another person, use a gun or other weapon to cause an injury, or display aggressive behavior that could result in the death of another person.

Possession of CDS

admin2022-07-14T14:24:56+00:00Connecticut laws for possession of controlled and dangerous substances (CDS) are based on the amount and type of the drug found on a person. Criminal charges can be extremely serious, and penalties can include thousands of dollars in fines and mandatory minimums. Common controlled substances include:

• Marijuana (over 1.5 ounces)
• Heroin
• Meth
• Fentanyl
• LSD
• Prescription painkillers (without a prescription)
• Other hallucinogens

Drug Charges

admin2022-07-14T14:24:19+00:00Connecticut prosecutes drug crimes very seriously, and the penalties for a conviction for a drug crime can include mandatory jail time and heavy fines. Drug charges are very complicated and depend on the type of CDS as well as the amount found. If you are facing drug charges in Connecticut, you may want to speak to a drug charges attorney to hear about all your options. Under Connecticut law, it is illegal to:

• Possess drugs, including, narcotics, prescription drugs without a proper prescription, hallucinogens, and other controlled substances
• Possess drug paraphernalia, such as bongs, scales, and miniature spoons
• Sell or distribute drugs
• Possess drugs with the intent to sell
• Participate in drug trafficking
• Operate a drug factory

DUI

admin2022-07-14T14:22:16+00:00A DUI conviction in Connecticut can have serious consequences. In Connecticut, operating a motor vehicle while under the influence of alcohol and/or drugs is a criminal offense. Both first-time and repeat offenders will have their licenses suspended. Possible punishments for driving under the influence in CT First Conviction – 45 day license suspension and IID required for one year following restoration, or for the duration required under the Administrative Per Se law, whichever is longer Second Conviction – 45 day license suspension, IID required for three years following restoration (during the first year of this three-year period you may drive only to or from work, school, an alcohol or drug abuse treatment program, an IID service center, or an appointment with a probation officer) Third Conviction – Permanent revocation of license