Being arrested and charged with a crime is not a matter to be taken lightly. It is important that you have legal representation present at all stages. Andrew R. Sherriff is a former prosecutor in the State of Connecticut and Commonwealth of Massachusetts. He has over 17 years of experience in defense of the criminal defendant and 15 years of experience as a prosecutor.
Some Facts Everyone Needs to Know About Drunk Driving
Drunk driving is technically referred to as DWI which stands for driving under the influence of alcohol or a controlled substance to the extent that your normal faculties are impaired. Even though most people arrested for DWI are generally nice people in the wrong place at the wrong time, DWI has long been considered a serious threat to public safety. This is because DWIs can kill people.
The most common means of proving impairment is by breath test which theoretically determines the percentage of alcohol in your blood. When arrested for DWI, the police will request you submit to a breath test. If your blood alcohol content is at least .10% or if you refuse to submit to a breath test, then the police take your license on the spot. Your DWI citation will serve as your temporary permit to drive but only for a period of 30 days. After that your license will be suspended and you will not be eligible for an employment permit for an additional 30 days if you take the breath test or 90 days if you refuse the breath test. This can be contested before the Department of Motor Vehicles.
The DWI law is designed to be harsh. The previous paragraph only describes what happens before you even get to court. The DWI statute is very specific about the numerous other penalties you must suffer upon conviction such as jail time, mandatory community service, probation, prolonged driver's license suspension and compulsory driver improvement school to name a few. Repeat offenders are treated even more severely.
There is one foolproof way of beating a DWI conviction, simply, do not drink and drive. That is the most effective way of avoiding a DWI. Even if your blood alcohol level is as low as .05%, you can find yourself under arrest. Practically speaking, many people are at risk after only one beer. Remember, a taxi is about ten thousand dollars cheaper than costs, fines, fees, and increased insurance rates which directly stem from a DWI arrest.
If you or someone you care about has an alcohol or substance abuse problem, then seek out help. Please feel free to contact our office for assistance in locating help or if you have additional questions about the DWI law or any other legal matter at (203) 226-9800 or email us.
