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Bridgeport DUI Lawyers

1. Paoletti & Gusmano: DWI / DUI Myths Do you know youÕre at risk for being arrested for DUI this holiday season, even if you donÕt plan on swallowing a single sip of alcohol? If you get pulled over, are you aware of the simple way law enforcement officers can influence your blood alcohol concentration readings from a Breathalyzer? If you take a field sobriety test, do you know how common it is for an officer to misinterpret your actions? What youÕre about to read could save you thousands of dollars in legal fees and insurance premiums, as well as countless hours of frustration. ThatÕs because the facts under the next six bullets will help you protect your rights if youÕre pulled over this holiday season and accused of DUI. DUI Myth #1: The smell of alcohol on your breath is a sure sign of alcohol consumption or intoxication. * Fact: Since alcohol is odorless, odor strength is an unreliable estimate of alcohol consumption. What may be perceived as alcohol is more likely an ingredient(s) found in alcoholic beverages. After all, the breath of someone who drinks a non-alcoholic beer will smell the same as someone who consumes a beer with alcohol. DUI Myth #2: If you donÕt drink alcohol and remain Òalcohol-free,Ó you wonÕt be arrested for DUI. * Fact: Your body continuously produces alcohol. During this process called Òendogenous ethanol production,Ó you can create enough alcohol to become legally intoxicated. Additionally, smokers often have high levels of acetaldehyde, a compound in your breath that can be recorded as alcohol. Diabetics are also at risk for false breath test results due to hypoglycemia causing acetone in the breath, which is often recorded as alcohol as well. DUI Myth #3: Breathalyzers measure blood alcohol concentration in your blood stream. * Fact: The only way to measure your blood alcohol concentration is by taking a sample of your blood. Breathalyzers attempt to measure the alcohol in your breath in order to estimate your blood alcohol concentration Ð a practice that is inaccurate up to 30% of the time under ÒidealÓ conditions. DUI Myth #4: Sucking or chewing on a penny, breath mint and certain types of gum can help you beat a Breathalyzer test. * Fact: None of these items will trick a Breathalyzer into a registering a false low blood alcohol concentration. DUI Myth #5: Law enforcement officers canÕt influence blood alcohol concentration readings from a Breathalyzer. * Fact: Studies show alcohol concentration during your breath varies considerably. In fact, the last part of your breath can have a blood alcohol concentration reading as much as 50% higher than your actual level. When officers encourage you to blow harder during the final moments of your test, they increase the probability the breath captured is from the bottom of your lungs where the concentration of alcohol is the highest. DUI Myth #6: Law enforcement officers can accurately determine if youÕre intoxicated using field sobriety tests. * Fact: During a 1991 study at Clemson University, 21 sober individuals (with a blood alcohol content of .000) were videotaped performing six common field sobriety tests. Fourteen officers Ð who didnÕt know the people were sober Ð then viewed the videotapes and were asked to determine whether the individuals had too much to drink and drive. The officers concluded that 46 percent of the participants were too intoxicated to drive.
2. D'Amato, Tina: The possible results of your criminal defense case may be as follows: A. Programs to Avoid Conviction on Record Generally speaking, in Connecticut, first time offenders have an opportunity to escape a criminal conviction if the crime they are charged with is not considered serious, and they are capable of finishing a program and its requirements without further arrests. Additionally, they must not have used a similar program in another state. Some examples of these programs include: The Drug Education Program, The Community Service Labor Program, Family Violence Program, Alcohol Education Program, and The Accelerated Rehabilitation Program. Some of these programs are offered automatically and some require the assistance of an attorney to secure your enrollment This will depend on the nature of the charge and the program you apply for. B. Other Favorable Dispositions For other persons who do have a record, dispositions of "no contest", which may require some community service or donation to charity are the best. However, for some, a plea agreement may be in store. If so, it is imperative that you have a criminal defense attorney who knows the facts of the case, the evidence the state has against you and the possible maximum penalties if you are convicted of each charge. C. Plea Negotiation and Agreements If your criminal defense lawyer is unable to get you involved with one of the state's programs, then you may want to consider a plea agreement. Most of the time, when there are no good legal arguments, a good plea agreement can only be reached if the opposing parties can agree upon a disposition. In some instances, there will be collateral consequences to your plea which you should be aware of. For instance: immigration consequences, changes in Social Security or state aid, changes in your eligibility to live in certain households and to get state or federal aid, and inability to get certain licenses or permits, or even to vote. A criminal conviction can also make it almost impossible to get employment from many places. Please note: misdemeanor convictions are still convictions, even though they are not felonies. Some misdemeanor convictions will also make you ineligible for employment in places such as police departments and ineligible for permits for guns.
3. Nicholas Adamucci: Being charged with a crime, or even being investigated is a frightening proposition. What is even scarier is the fact that many people accused of a crime do not have the benefit of experienced legal advice and sound judgment. Connecticut criminal law encompasses virtually any issue that arises out of an arrest or police investigation based on the suspicion of criminal activity. Criminal law includes grand jury indictments, bail, office hearings, plea negations, preliminary hearings, jury or court trials, sentencing, and violations of probation. When confronting any of these critical proceedings, hiring the right Connecticut criminal defense lawyer can often make all the difference in the world.
4. Frank Riccio: Pursuant to Federal Rule of Criminal Procedure (FRCP) 11, prosecutors may promise to move to dismiss other charges or recommend that the court authorize a specific sentence or sentencing range in order to encourage a criminal defendant to plead guilty to a certain charge. In addition, Rule 11 requires courts to advise a defendant considering entering into a plea agreement that the defendant has no right to withdraw the plea if the court does not follow the prosecutor's request or recommendation. In fact, failure to warn a defendant that there is no right to withdraw a plea if the court rejects the prosecutor's request or recommendation may entitle a defendant who is subsequently convicted to obtain relief based on a Rule 11 failing.
5. Krasnow & Krasnow: If you have been charged with a crime, you need to protect your rights as well as your reputation.
6. Meehan & Meehan: One of the most common and unforgiving crimes is driving while intoxicated and typically referred to as DWI or DUI. Connecticut treats this offense with extreme seriousness because of the risks involved with the operation of a motor vehicle while intoxicated. When an individual is arrested for DWI in Connecticut he or she must resolve the case in two separate forums. A DWI offender is prosecuted for the crime in Superior Court, but also faces suspension of his or her operating privileges at the Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) after an Administrative Per Se Hearing. It is critical to realize that you have a right to an attorney during the entire DWI proceeding. This forum requires the expertise of an attorney who is experienced in all of the issues that arise at both the Administrative Per Se Hearing and the criminal prosecution.
7. David Dworski: HIRE AN ATTORNEY WHO'S FOCUS IS DWI DEFENSE. The law is VERY technical and difficult for the arresting authorities to comply with error free. The Client should consult with a DWI professional IMMEDIATELY after arrest. This allows the most accurate & thorough reconstruction of events from memory, assisting the defense.