Chances are you have heard about the alarming OUI (operating under the influence) statistics across the state and the nation, and you might even know someone personally who has been involved with a DUI crime at one point or another. The statistics and the stories you hear at work, in your neighborhood, and around your community are plentiful for a reason: driving under the influence is, sadly, a common crime. The fact that it is so common does not make it acceptable, though; driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol is a serious criminal offense and is treated as such by Connecticut State law.

How the Offense Is Determined

The state of Connecticut considers driving to be a privilege that one must earn and keep. The state’s Implied Consent Law says that any driver who operates a vehicle is considered to automatically give their consent for alcohol testing the moment they get behind the wheel. In short, if you drive, you are technically--by law--agreeing to be tested for alcohol consumption, should you be pulled over. The state retains its right to prosecute with or without direct evidence of your BAC level. This prosecution is determined by your ability to drive. If you are found to be impaired and your driving ability is affected, the state has the right to prosecute.

Americans are all too familiar with the strong anti-drunk driving advertisements that display on TV commercials and highway billboards. Catchy quotes, such as “buzzed driving is drunk driving,” are well known, but DUI rates remain high across the country. In many cases, buzzed drivers are not necessarily operating their vehicles recklessly, but they simply do not know that a just a small amount of alcohol can cause a person to reach the legal limit of a 0.08 blood alcohol content (BAC).

According to the Mother's Against Drunk Driving, drunk driving is one of the most frequently committed crimes in America. While getting behind the wheel after a drink or two may be an innocent gesture, the stakes are simply too high to take a chance. Drunk driving not only can lead to the revocation of a driver’s license, but it can also result in significant financial penalties.

By measuring the alcohol concentration in a person's blood, law enforcement can determine if a person is driving while intoxicated. Various biological factors come into play when measuring blood alcohol level, so there is no way to estimate BAC accurately without carefully calibrated devices.

Criminal penalties for a second or third DUI conviction in Connecticut are serious: they can include prison terms, fines, and license suspensions. A second DUI arrest carries specific requirements for driving with an ignition interlock device if you wish to retain your driving privileges. If you have been charged with a second or third DUI, contact a criminal defense attorney as soon as possible so that your rights are represented in court.

A second time offender is required to drive with an interlock device for three years. During the first year, the individual can only drive to school, work, an interlock service center, or an alcohol or drug abuse treatment facility. A second or subsequent offense requires the offender to submit to a drug or alcohol abuse assessment program and may be mandated by the court to attend a treatment program.

If arrested for a third or subsequent DUI arrest, the DMV will revoke your license. A convicted individual can have that license restored after two years, so long as certain conditions are met and the driver does not appear to be a danger to public safety.