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Recent Blog Posts
What Are Your Rights Regarding Connecticut DUI Checkpoints?
Connecticut law enforcement agencies routinely set up DUI checkpoints, sometimes known as "sobriety checkpoints," to catch impaired drivers. Under Connecticut state law – and federal law – these DUI checkpoints are legal, although 12 states currently either prohibit DUI checkpoints or do not use them. That said, in some cases, police officers may violate your rights during the DUI stop process.
It is essential to understand the limitations of police authority at a DUI checkpoint, so you can respond appropriately and protect yourself from unnecessary legal consequences. If you have been arrested at a DUI checkpoint and are now facing DUI charges, speaking to an experienced Stamford, CT DUI attorney can be extremely beneficial.
Ruling in Connecticut That Makes Sobriety Checkpoints Legal
Connecticut DUI laws can be found at: CGS Sections 14‑227a, 227g, 227b. In Connecticut v. Boisvert (1996), the Connecticut Appellate Court ruled that sobriety checkpoints are constitutionally permissible, so long as the stops adhere to the following restrictions and guidelines:
For Sale by Owner in Connecticut: What Legal Steps Still Apply?
When you sell your home without using a real estate agent, this is known as "For Sale by Owner" (FSBO). Choosing to sell your home on your own may seem like a good way to save money on commissions. In Connecticut, however, you must still go through the legal requirements involved in a residential real estate transaction.
These requirements may include drafting a valid purchase agreement, complying with mandatory disclosures, handling the closing process, and other related tasks. If you are wondering whether an FSBO is a good idea for your specific situation, it can be beneficial to speak to an experienced Stamford, CT real estate attorney.
Pros and Cons of Selling Without a Real Estate Agent
While the state of Connecticut does not require sellers to hire a Realtor, it does require sellers to hire a real estate attorney. A realtor also has an important role in selling residential real estate, so consider the following pros and cons. The advantages include:
Can a Connecticut Juvenile Record Be Sealed or Expunged?
Teenagers often make impulsive decisions, engaging in risk-taking behaviors with little consideration of the potential consequences. Research has shown that the frontal brain lobe, which is responsible for decision-making, impulse control, consequential thinking, and sensation-seeking, is not completely developed until the early to mid-20s. Those between the ages of 12 and 17 are more likely to make impulsive choices and engage in risky behaviors, but should those poor decisions follow them for life?
In Connecticut, a juvenile criminal offense does not have to follow a young person for life, as the law offers certain protections for juveniles with criminal records. Perhaps your child was in the wrong place at the wrong time or made a poor decision, and you are wondering whether that record can be sealed or expunged. In some instances, there are legal processes that can erase a juvenile record. This is a complex issue that could significantly benefit from the guidance of an experienced Stamford, CT juvenile criminal defense attorney.
Will Your Job Prospects Be Affected by a First-Time DUI?
For those facing DUI charges, the question of how a DUI conviction will affect employment may be the most common fear. And according to most statistics, these fears are valid. In three dozen states, it is illegal for employers to ask prospective employees about their criminal histories during the job application process.
However, once an employer makes a conditional offer to a prospective employee, a criminal background check can be done. Under certain circumstances, employers can rescind a job offer based on the results of the background check. Research has shown that almost three-quarters of hiring managers said they would not consider an applicant convicted of drug, property, or violent crimes.
What is the Connecticut Impaired Driver Intervention Program?
Many states have diversion programs for those facing DUI or certain other charges, usually available only to first-time offenders. Most diversion programs allow the offender to complete a list of requirements while avoiding a conviction for DUI. A DUI conviction can have many detrimental effects on your life, including making it difficult to obtain employment.
If you are sentenced to jail time for your DUI, you would likely lose the job you have now, putting your financial stability in jeopardy. The court usually determines whether a defendant meets the criteria for a diversion program. If you are allowed in the program, you will waive your right to a speedy trial and agree that the statute of limitations will be tolled.
You must successfully complete all requirements under the Impaired Driver Intervention Program (IDIP). If you do not, you will be brought to trial on your original DUI charges. Once you complete the IDIP program, your DUI charges are dismissed, and all records related to those charges are erased. If you believe you might qualify for the IDIP program, discuss the issue with your Stamford, CT DUI attorney.
Why You Should Check Home Insurance Rates Before Buying a Home
Perhaps you have a checklist of all the things you must consider before choosing your perfect home. These issues may include looking for problems with the home itself, such as termites, foundation cracks, or a leaky roof, or it could include location, proximity to a school, or other issues.
You may know when purchasing residential real estate that you should request a property tax history for the property to get a better idea of what your property taxes will be. However, one thing that many people overlook is checking the cost of homeowners’ insurance.
One woman bought her dream house only to find that her home insurance would be extremely high because the home was in "Zone 10" for fire department coverage. Zone 10 is as bad as it gets – essentially "no man’s land." In this case, the closest fire department was a volunteer department with a dismal record for responding to fires, largely because all the volunteers had regular jobs, and the property was very rural.
Could You Be Charged with Drug DUI in Connecticut?
A Clinton, CT man was recently arrested on DUI and drug charges following a traffic stop in Wallingford. The man’s SUV was observed crossing the double yellow center lines multiple times. According to police, the man exhibited signs of intoxication and/or drug use. Drug paraphernalia and a significant amount of illegal drugs were found in the car, and a field sobriety test indicated the man was impaired.
In addition to being charged with operating a motor vehicle while under the influence of alcohol or drugs, charges included possession of a controlled substance, distribution/sale of a controlled substance, operating a motor vehicle without a driver’s license, and failure to maintain a lane. While a person can be charged with having an open container of alcohol inside the vehicle at the time of a DUI arrest, when a person is driving while under the influence of drugs, he or she may also face serious drug charges.
New Bill Would Raise the Juvenile Age of Arrest from 10 to 14
A 47-year-old man tells the story of his first arrest in Connecticut at age 12 for selling drugs. He was arrested again at ages 13, 14, and 16, spending time at a juvenile detention center in Middletown. At age 18, he was sent to an adult prison.
A proposed bill that would raise the age under which a child can be arrested to age 12 by 2026 and age 14 by 2028, would also prohibit law enforcement from handcuffing a juvenile under the age of 14. Connecticut lawmakers passed a bill in 2021 that raised the age at which a juvenile could be arrested from seven years old to 10 years old.
If your child is being charged with a juvenile criminal offense, it is extremely important that you speak to a knowledgeable Stamford, CT juvenile crimes attorney. Juvenile crimes are very different from adult crimes, and your child needs an attorney who has a thorough understanding of the current juvenile justice system in Connecticut.
Is a CT Motorcycle DUI the Same as a Passenger Vehicle DUI?
About 30 percent of all traffic crash fatalities in the United States involve an impaired driver. DUI is a serious matter across the U.S. and in Connecticut. Unfortunately, as is the case with many issues, in an effort to stop drunk driving, the police and prosecutors have become overzealous in some instances. A driver may end up with a DUI because he or she has medical issues that prevented the successful completion of field sobriety tests or a breathalyzer test.
If you wonder whether motorcyclists can be charged with DUI, the answer is "absolutely." That said, a much lower percentage of motorcyclists are actually charged with DUI when compared to drivers. The reasons for this could be that riding a motorcycle requires specific skills, concentration, and awareness, which are all qualities that can be significantly compromised by alcohol or drugs. A severely impaired motorcyclist would be unable to ride without almost immediately tipping over, making motorcycles at least somewhat self-limiting for intoxicated riders.
How Serious is a Juvenile Charge for Street Takeover?
A recent street takeover turned violent when the crowd turned on an officer and his vehicle. There were between 50 and 100 people, many of them juveniles, in the street, along with dozens of cars driving erratically. The crowd threw objects, including a traffic cone, at the police officer while he was in his cruiser, breaking the front windshield. When more officers arrived, the crowd began to disperse.
While there were no serious injuries, police are investigating and beginning to make arrests. In prior street takeovers across the state, there were a significant number of juveniles arrested and charged with such offenses as interfering with a police officer, first-degree riot, and unlawful assembly.
Although these are generally misdemeanor charges (unless someone is injured), they can cause serious problems for a juvenile now and in the future. If your child has taken part in a street takeover and is now facing criminal charges, it is extremely important that you speak to an experienced Stamford, CT juvenile crimes lawyer as quickly as possible.
The Law Offices of Daniel P. Weiner in Stamford, Connecticut serves clients in Greenwich, Norwalk, New Canaan, Darien, Westport, Bridgeport, Fairfield, Danbury, Wilton and clients throughout Fairfield County and across Connecticut (CT).
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