Norwalk, Connecticut DWI Defense Attorney

What happens if I was arrested for DWI in Norwalk?

Under Connecticut law, once you have been cited for violating the DWI statute, the state initiates two simultaneous, yet separate legal actions against you. The criminal action is in response to the ticket that was issued to you, while the administrative action is brought against your driver's license by the Connecticut Department of Motor Vehicles. While both actions can result in the suspension of your driving privileges, it is important to remember that there may be additional penalties to consider and each action must be handled on its own.

Being charged with DWI is a serious offense that can have major consequences, including jail time, loss of driving privileges, and monetary fines. It is imperative that anyone facing a Connecticut DWI charge understand what challenges they will encounter. Seeking the legal advice of an aggressive and skilled DWI criminal defense attorney will help you understand all of your rights and options, including any defenses you might use.

Connecticut DUI / DWI Administrative Hearing

Pursuant to Connecticut law, an individual has 7 days to request an administrative hearing from the Connecticut Department of Motor Vehicles. If you fail to request a hearing within 7 days, your right to the hearing is lost, and your license is automatically suspended for the applicable statutory time frame. In order to preserve your right to an Administrative Hearing, it is crucial that you submit your request to the Connecticut DMV within 7 days.

DUI or DWI Penalties for First Time Offenders

• DUI or DWI - Chemical Test Refusal - Refusing to submit to a test when requested by law enforcement will result in the revocation of driver's license for 6 months.
• Alcohol Evaluation - Successful completion of a DWI knowledge test and chemical assessment may be required for reinstatement of driving privileges.
• Connecticut Driving Privileges and DWI - In Norwalk, Connecticut, a first time DUI / DWI conviction results in the revocation of driving privileges for 1 year.
• Commercial Drivers - Commercial drivers are in violation of the DWI statute with a BAC level of 0.04. A first time DUI or DWI conviction will result in the loss of the commercial driver's license for 1 year, while any subsequent DWI offenses will result in a lifetime loss of the commercial license in Connecticut.
• Monetary Fines - In Norwalk, Connecticut, fines for a first time DWI are a minimum of $500.00, up to a maximum of $1,000.00.
• DUI or DWI - Chemical Test Refusal - Refusing to submit to a test when requested by law enforcement will result in the revocation of driver's license for 6 months.

DWI Subsequent Offenses

Penalties are increasingly more severe for any additional DWI violations. Due to the complexity of DWI laws in Connecticut, you may not be aware of all your rights and options. For this reason, an aggressive and skilled criminal defense attorney can guide you through this challenging process. Please contact a Connecticut DWI (Driving While Intoxicated) or DUI (Driving Under the Influence) criminal defense attorney for a free consultation.

It is possible to recognize drivers who may have been drinking or using other drugs. They may:

• Drive on the wrong side of the road.
• Run off the pavement.
• Stop too quickly or slowly.
• Weave within their lane.
• Drive too quickly or slowly.
• Go through stop signs or other signals.

Connecticut Anti-Drunk Driving Laws

Connecticut has enacted strong new measures to combat impaired driving. Stiff penalties, including mandatory sentencing and strict enforcement of our laws send a clear message that Driving Under the Influence will not be tolerated on Connecticut's roadways.

Driving is a privilege in Connecticut, and under Connecticut's Implied Consent Law any person who operates a motor vehicle is presumed to have given his or her consent to a test to determine BAC level. You are legally intoxicated if your BAC is .08 or above. If you are under 21 years of age, you are legally intoxicated at a .02 BAC level or higher.