Connecticut DUI / OUI Attorney ● Rockville, Danielson, Norwich
Since you are reading this page, you (or someone you care about) have been arrested for Operating Under the Influence of alcohol or drugs (OUI - frequently referred to as DUI) or some other motor vehicle offense in Connecticut. This can be serious trouble. Even first time OUI offenders in Connecticut face up to six months in jail, up to $1,000 in fines and a one year suspension of their Connecticut motor vehicle operators license or privilege to drive in Connecticut by the court. In addition, people charged with OUI face a separate but related Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) suspension of their drivers license or privilege to drive in Connecticut of at least 90 days. In addition to fines, you can also lose your Connecticut operators license or privilege to drive in this state if you are convicted of other motor vehicle offenses; for example, reckless driving or driving while your operators license is suspended. In this hostile legal environment, you need an effective legal defense.
Before you plead guilty or lose your drivers license, please call the Law Office of Jerome Paun toll-free at 866.787.0119 or send us an e-mail to schedule a free initial OUI or motor vehicle defense consultation.
YOU FACE TWO LEGAL CHALLENGES AFTER AN OUI ARREST
In Connecticut, an arrest for OUI involves two separate but related proceedings:
1. An administrative per se hearing at the DMV to determine whether your driver's license or privilege to drive in Connecticut should not be suspended by the DMV; and
2. A criminal proceeding in superior court to determine if you are guilty of OUI and, if you are, the penalties to be imposed by the court including: potential jail time, fines, and further suspension or revocation of your driver's license or privilege to drive in Connecticut.
At the Law Office of Jerome Paun, we can represent you in both proceedings. If you retain our services soon after your arrest, we can intervene early to ensure you meet all filing and notification deadlines regarding your right to an administrative per se license suspension hearing. This also enables us to use the DMV process to learn facts which can be helpful in the criminal proceeding in court. We will then effectively defend you on the OUI charge in court.
You may be eligible for a diversionary program, the Alcohol Education Program (AEP). If the court grants your AEP application and if you successfully complete all requirements, the OUI charge against you will be dismissed and you will not have an OUI conviction record. The Law Office of Jerome Paun can help you maximize your chances of getting approved for the AEP and avoiding an OUI conviction record.
Please call the Law Office of Jerome Paun toll-free at 866.787.0119 or send us an e-mail to schedule a free initial OUI or motor vehicle defense consultation.
Should you challenge the DMV suspension of your operators license or your privilege to drive in Connecticut and/or your OUI arrest?
An OUI case does not hinge on a breathalyzer or blood alcohol test alone. In order to stop a motor vehicle, an officer first must have "probable cause" to suspect the driver is under the influence of alcohol or drugs or has otherwise violated the law. Second, police officers are required to follow proper procedures when stopping people and asking them to take field sobriety tests. If an officer fails to follow proper procedure or violates Constitutional principles, it may be possible to have the OUI charge dismissed and/or your license not suspended.
The Law Office of Jerome Paun will carefully examine the evidence, arrest procedure and results of the blood alcohol content tests in your case. Improper police procedure or mistakes in police reports are not uncommon and may help your case. Improper calibration of the breathalyzer, improper machine operation and biological factors also can affect the blood alcohol content test results. Whenever possible, we will try to stop questionable evidence from being used against you. A successful defense against OUI charges is possible.
Even if you were driving under the influence, you may be eligible for the Alcohol Education Program (AEP) to avoid an OUI conviction. We understand how to work with the court in exploring alternatives to jail and license suspension. Depending on your driving record and the circumstances of your arrest, we may be able to divert your case out of the criminal justice system, reduce the charges against you and/or minimize the sentence and consequences you face.
Please call the Law Office of Jerome Paun toll-free at 866.787.0119 or send us an e-mail to schedule a free initial OUI or motor vehicle defense consultation.
YOU HAVE THE RIGHT TO REMAIN SILENT. USE IT!
You have the RIGHT TO REMAIN SILENT. USE IT! The police are not kidding when they tell you, "anything you say can and will be used against you." They mean it! If the police have enough evidence to arrest you, they will; whether you talk to them or not. In most cases, there is nothing you could possibly say to the police that would stop them from arresting you if they have enough evidence for your arrest. Frequently, if the police do not have enough evidence to arrest you, they will want to talk with you to see if something you might say will give them the evidence they need to arrest you.
DON'T TALK TO THE POLICE WITHOUT A CRIMINAL DEFENSE LAWYER REPRESENTING YOU!
If you talk to the police and they decide that you were not fully truthful when you talked to them, they could charge you with the crime of making a false statement. Usually, the best way to protect yourself is to USE YOUR RIGHT TO REMAIN SILENT until you have consulted with and retained criminal defense counsel.
DON'T CONSENT TO A SEARCH OF YOUR VEHICLE!
You have a right to be free from unreasonable searches and seizures. Normally, the police will not have a search warrant to search your motor vehicle when they stop you for OUI or another motor vehicle offense but they may ask to search your vehicle anyway. You don't have to consent to a motor vehicle search. If they ask, tell the police you do not consent to their search request. If they really want to search your vehicle, they should get a search warrant.
At the Law Office of Jerome Paun, we defend the rights and freedom of people accused of OUI and other motor vehicle related offenses. We have the experience and knowledge to achieve the best possible results for our clients.
Please call the Law Office of Jerome Paun toll-free at 866.787.0119 or send us an e-mail to schedule a free initial OUI or motor vehicle defense consultation.
