If you are facing allegations of Operating Under the Influence (“OUI”) under Connecticut Law, you must understand the charges you are facing. These offenses are taken seriously and can result in significant penalties including community service, probation, fines, license restrictions, and even jail time – depending on the facts and circumstances of your case. The actions you take, or fail to take, before, during, and after you are charged can alter the outcome of the case significantly.
In the event that this is not your first-time facing allegations of Operating Under the Influence in Connecticut, the consequences become significantly more serious. Here is what you need to know about OUI penalties in Connecticut:
1st Offense
Under Connecticut law, any person who violates the operating under the influence statute for the first time will be charged with a class B misdemeanor. While this may sound relatively insignificant to you, the statute imposes additional penalties including a mandatory minimum of forty-eight (48) hours in jail and a fine of between five hundred and one thousand ($500-$1000) dollars. If you are facing charges in addition to the OUI charge, expect even more consequences.
2nd Offense
Any person who violates the operating under the influence statute for the second time in Connecticut will face even more serious consequences. Under the statute, an OUI conviction as a second offender will result in a felony, rather than the misdemeanor charge given to first-time offenders. The statute additionally imposes a much more severe mandatory minimum of one hundred twenty (120) days in jail and a fine somewhere between one and four ($1,000-$4,000) dollars. Again, additional charges may result in even more penalties.
3rd Offense
By the time you are charged with your third OUI in Connecticut, the law is not on your side and you can expect serious consequences. If your choices have led to yet another OUI arrest, under Connecticut law you will be charged with an even more serious class E felony. A conviction of a Class E felonies can mean up to three (3) years in prison. The statute additionally requires a mandatory minimum of one (1) year in jail and a fine somewhere between two and five thousand ($2,000-$5,000) dollars.
Additional Consequences
On top of the already serious consequences, additional penalties may include community service, the requirement to complete a criminal diversionary program including the Alcohol Education Program, probation, conditional discharge outlining the terms of your release from custody, points on your license, the installation of an ignition interlock device on your vehicle requiring you to submit to a breath test every time you operate your vehicle, other license restrictions, and license suspension. With so much at stake, it is imperative that you seek the assistance of competent counsel. An experienced OUI attorney can assist you in negotiating the best possible outcome for your case.
If you have any further questions about Operating Under the Influence in Connecticut or would like the representation of an experienced attorney to assist you, contact our Managing Partner Joseph Maya directly via email at JMaya@Mayalaw.com or by telephone at (203) 221-3100 for a free consultation.