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Recent Blog Posts
Social Media and Juvenile Crime: Can Posts Lead to Charges?
In today’s digital world, a single post, message, or shared image on platforms like Snapchat, TikTok, or Instagram can change youthful mischief into a serious legal matter. Teens who post violent threats (even when they are a "joke"), engage in any form of cyberbullying, distribute intimate images, or share sexually explicit content can face juvenile criminal charges – or in some cases, adult criminal charges.
These juvenile offenses may be charged as "sexting," "cyber threats," or "revenge porn." A conviction for any of these can have long-term, adverse consequences. Understanding how Connecticut courts treat these behaviors is essential for protecting young lives and futures, as is consulting with an experienced Stamford, CT juvenile crimes attorney.
When Does Online Behavior Become a Crime for a Juvenile?
Juvenile online behavior becomes a crime when it escalates from a bad joke to criminal behavior. The following actions can cross the line from merely an annoying behavior to a crime:
Connecticut Rent-to-Own Agreements: Is There a Risk?
With the high cost of housing, a rent-to-own agreement may sound like the perfect bridge to homeownership for many Connecticut families. With a rent-to-own agreement, you live in the property while working toward eventually buying the home. Unfortunately, many rent-to-own agreements have hidden issues that can leave you with no home, no money, and potentially expose you to legal problems as well.
Real estate lawyers can comprehensively check out your agreement and help you determine whether there is room for improvement. Even if the seller refuses to make changes to the agreement, before signing, you must always seek legal advice to ensure your rights are protected and that you fully understand the risks. An experienced Stamford, CT real estate lawyer can help you determine whether a rent-to-own agreement is right for you and whether there may be a better alternative.
Can Connecticut Police Force a Blood Test for DUI?
If you are pulled over in Connecticut for suspected DUI, you will likely be asked to blow into a breathalyzer. Since Connecticut has an implied consent law, if you refuse a breathalyzer test, your driver’s license will be suspended. Even without breathalyzer results, you can still be charged with DUI based on the police officer’s observations of how you were driving and your general appearance and actions, so there may be very few situations that would benefit from refusing a breathalyzer.
You may wonder whether you can be forced to take a blood test against your will in Connecticut if you refuse the breathalyzer test. The answer to this question depends on a variety of factors discussed below. If you are facing DUI charges in the state of Connecticut, you should always take such charges very seriously. An experienced Stamford, CT criminal defense lawyer can help ensure your rights and your future are fully protected.
Can a Connecticut DUI Ever Be Expunged or Erased?
There are many collateral consequences to a DUI conviction, many of which last for years after you have paid the legal penalties. The lasting mark left on your criminal record from a DUI conviction can impact employment opportunities, housing, insurance rates, professional licensing, and more.
If you are facing these consequences from a DUI in Connecticut (§ 14-227a), you may be wondering whether you can have your record expunged or erased. The answer to that question depends on several factors and is unique to each case. It can be highly beneficial for you to consult with a knowledgeable Stamford, CT, criminal defense attorney to determine your path forward.
Judicial Consequences of DUI
A first DUI conviction in Connecticut can result in up to two years of probation, up to six months in jail (which can usually be avoided through participation in the Impaired Driver Intervention Program (IDIP), a mandatory 45-day license suspension, and fines and fees. In some cases, participation in a substance abuse program may be required. Subsequent DUI offenses have increasingly severe penalties.
When a Prank Becomes a Crime: CT Laws on Juvenile Theft
A New Haven, CT juvenile was recently arrested after being caught on security video stealing a car. The July 13th auto theft resulted in a warrant being issued for the juvenile, who said the theft was a prank and that he abandoned the automobile near the home from which he took it. Unfortunately, many juveniles have engaged in what they thought was a harmless joke, only to have it quickly spiral into juvenile criminal charges. In Connecticut, "borrowing" something without permission, or taking something on a dare, can meet the legal definition of theft.
This can result in juveniles being sent to juvenile court, with potential consequences that can follow them for a long time. Connecticut law – whether for adults or juveniles – focuses on the intent to deprive an owner of property. These laws are not particularly lenient when it comes to juvenile pranks, and parents must consult an experienced Stamford, CT juvenile criminal defense lawyer as soon as possible if their child is charged with a crime.
Can You Sell a House Rumored to Be Haunted in Connecticut?
As if buying and selling real estate is not complicated enough, when it comes to seller disclosures, just how far are sellers required to go? While it may sound like an unlikely problem to have, what if you find that your dream home is seriously haunted, and the seller knew, but did not disclose that information? Except for four states in the U.S., sellers are under no obligation to disclose that their property comes with a haunted past.
New York, New Jersey, Massachusetts, and Minnesota do have legal provisions regarding the disclosure of a haunted house for sellers. A famous 1991 New York case, Stambovsky v. Ackley, allows buyers to rescind a sale if the seller has ever publicly acknowledged or promoted the home as haunted, yet did not inform the buyer.
Is It Possible to Get a DUI in a Golf Cart or Snowmobile?
When you think about a DUI in Connecticut, you likely picture a driver behind the wheel of a car after spending a few hours at a local bar. It might never occur to you that operating something much smaller while impaired – like a snowmobile or a golf cart – could also result in DUI charges.
In fact, operating any motorized vehicle while under the influence, including recreational vehicles, could potentially result in DUI charges. Below you will find more information that you should know before taking a shortcut across a course or trail after a few drinks. Consulting a skilled Stamford, CT DUI attorney is equally important to ensure your rights and your future are properly protected.
Connecticut’s DUI Laws
In Connecticut, the terms DUI (Driving Under the Influence), DWI (Driving While Intoxicated), and OUI (Operating Under the Influence) are often used interchangeably, with DUI being the primary term used. It is illegal to operate a motor vehicle with a BAC that is 0.08 percent or higher. For an individual under 21, the legal limit is 0.02 percent, and for a person with a Commercial Driver’s License (CDL), the legal limit is 0.04 percent.
Can Parents Be Held Liable for Juvenile Crimes in Connecticut?
Juvenile crimes, particularly vehicle thefts, spiked in the state in 2020, but have returned to near-historic lows. Experts believe the disruptions brought on by the pandemic were the major cause of the increase in juvenile crimes. As if dealing with a child’s criminal charges is not stressful enough, as parents, you may also have to deal with your own set of legal issues as a result of your child’s crime.
From financial responsibility to civil lawsuits, Connecticut law (Section 52-572 of the Connecticut General Statutes) allows for certain situations under which parents can be held liable for their minor child’s actions. If your child has recently been charged with a crime, it is important to understand how the state could hold you accountable and what steps you need to take to protect yourself and your child. An experienced Stamford, CT juvenile crimes lawyer can help you sort out all the issues in the best way possible.
Are There Legal Protections When Buying a CT Home As-Is?
Perhaps you are looking for a bargain in your home-buying endeavors. If so, a home advertised as-is for a substantially lower price can be an appealing option. While some as-is home transactions turn out well, it is essential to recognize the potential legal and financial risks. When a seller lists a home as-is, it typically means they will make no repairs and offer no warranties regarding the home's condition.
Under Connecticut law (Connecticut General Statutes, Section 20-327b), this does not mean you are left completely unprotected, as sellers still have certain obligations regarding disclosures. When you have an experienced Stamford, CT real estate attorney in your corner, you can rest easy, knowing your home-buying experience will go smoothly and that every detail will be carefully scrutinized.
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:
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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