Posted on May 26, 2023 in Driving Under the Influence

If you have been charged with a first offense of driving under the influence (DUI) in Connecticut, it is crucial that you understand the penalties involved. Connecticut has stringent laws concerning driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol, and the consequences of a DUI can be severe. While first-time DUI offenders face milder punishments than those who have committed multiple offenses, the consequences of a first-offense DUI can still be significant. Therefore, if you are facing a first-offense DUI charge, contact a criminal defense attorney right away to begin the process of building a solid defense.

Consequences of a First-Time DUI

Penalties may include the following:

• Jail time – A first-time offender may serve up to six months in prison if convicted. The court may also suspend the sentence and make partial alternative provisions, such as community service, probation, or paying a penalty fee.

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 Posted on May 19, 2023 in Criminal Defense

Most criminal defense attorneys will agree that violent crimes happen far more frequently than many tend to believe. Such crimes are considered severe offenses that can attract enhanced penalties, often including potentially decades of imprisonment and steep monetary fines. Because of the nature of these kinds of offenses, such crimes are prosecuted very aggressively. To protect yourself from potentially serving many years in prison and having your life effectively ruined, contact a criminal defense attorney right away to ensure you have a fair chance at overcoming the charges.

Examples of Common Violent Crimes

Here is a list of examples of violent crimes in Connecticut that criminal defense attorneys work with regularly, including:

• Assault – This is defined as intentionally causing physical harm of an immediate nature toward another person. This crime can include threats, unwanted physical contact, or any conduct that places someone in immediate fear of contact or death by the perpetrators. Depending on the degree of assault and the injuries sustained, penalties in Connecticut can result in a several-year prison sentence and steep financial penalties

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 Posted on May 03, 2023 in Domestic Violence

Being accused of domestic violence can be a traumatizing experience, especially if the accusations are false. Unfortunately, false accusations are not uncommon in domestic violence cases, and they can result in lasting reputational damage, loss of employment, and even incarceration if not appropriately addressed. Today, we are going to review and provide practical guidance on how to deal with false accusations of domestic violence and take the necessary steps to clear your name. Your first step needs to be contacting an experienced criminal defense attorney to ensure you understand your legal options at this time.

How to Overcome False Accusations of Domestic Violence

Here are some tips on what you can do if you have been accused of domestic violence, including:

• Remain calm – It is important to stay composed and rational when facing false accusations of domestic violence. Any attempt to retaliate, contact the accuser indiscriminately, or destroy evidence can worsen the situation.

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 Posted on April 28, 2023 in Real Estate Law

 Purchasing your first home is an exciting time for many people, but it can also be a stressful one. There are many issues that must be addressed from the day you sign the purchase agreement to the day you have the closing. Overlooking an issue that you may not even be aware of can cause a delay in the process or even negate the transaction completely. This is why it is in your best interest to have a real estate attorney representing you through this process. The following are some of the things that your attorney can address for you.

Reviewing and Preparing Legal Documents

Purchasing a home involves a significant amount of legal and financial paperwork, including purchase agreements, mortgage documents, and title deeds. Your attorney will prepare and review these documents to ensure that they are both legally correct and binding and in your best interest. Your attorney will also make sure that you understand the complicated legal jargon in these contracts that can often be difficult to understand if you do not have a law degree.

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 Posted on April 24, 2023 in Criminal Defense

Many people are under the impression that assault and battery is one charge, however, under Connecticut law, they are two distinct crimes. They are related crimes, with both offenses involving the intentional use of force or violence against another person, but do have important differences. Understanding the difference between assault and battery is crucial for anyone who has been charged.

What Is Assault?

Assault is the act of intentionally causing another person to fear immediate bodily harm or injury. It does not require physical contact. The threat of harm can be either verbal or nonverbal. For example, pointing a gun at someone or threatening to hit them with a baseball bat are two actions that could be considered assault. If a person is arrested for assault, the crime can be charged as a misdemeanor or a felony, depending on the circumstances and the severity of the threat.

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 Posted on April 14, 2023 in Criminal Defense

In 2021, Connecticut lawmakers passed Public Act 21-32, also referred to as the Clean Slate Law. Under the law, anyone convicted of low-level felonies and misdemeanor offenses can have their conviction erased from their criminal records. Although the law was passed in 2021, it just took effect on January 1, 2023. The removal of convictions from a person’s criminal record can make a significant difference when applying for employment. The following is a brief overview of what companies are allowed to ask prospective employees and what people who have had their convictions erased are required and not required to disclose.

Who Does the Law Affect?

The purpose of the law was to give a fresh start for people who had certain criminal convictions, providing them with a “clean slate” and the ability to obtain steady employment without being required to reveal they have a criminal record. The law makes it illegal for companies to discriminate against someone because of a conviction.

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 Posted on April 07, 2023 in Criminal Defense

Although the debate over gun laws continues across the country, many people may not be aware of what some of the laws are regarding accessories that are associated with firearms. One such category is body armor. Although body armor is something that is typically used by police and the military, there are more and more private citizens who are purchasing these items. If you are considering a purchase, it is important you understand what the laws are in Connecticut before doing so. Otherwise, you could face serious criminal consequences.

What Is Considered Body Armor?

There are several types of articles of clothing that the law classifies as body armor. These items contain Kevlar – or another similar material – that is designed to prevent bullets from penetrating the person utilizing the item. There are two types of body armor used in these items.  Hard body armor is made up of rigid plates or panels. Items that are classified as hard body armor include military-style items, like surveillance vests and flak jackets.

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 Posted on March 30, 2023 in Criminal Defense

Many people consider traffic offenses minor inconveniences that are resolved by paying the fine. Although most drivers know that driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs can result in jail time depending on any past DUI history and the circumstances of the arrest, many do not realize that there are some traffic violations that can also result in criminal charges and potential jail time. If you have been cited for a serious traffic violation, consider contacting a defense attorney to find out what the best legal course of action is.

Traffic Offenses and Criminal Charges

When you commit a traffic violation like failing to come to a complete stop at a stop sign or going five miles an hour over the speed limit, law enforcement will typically either issue you a warning or a citation. If you receive a citation, there will be a dollar amount that you are required to pay as a fine unless you choose to request a hearing in court to contest the citation. All of these citations – even minor ones – become part of your driving record.

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 Posted on March 27, 2023 in Criminal Defense

 “Subject-To” real estate transactions can be beneficial for both the buyer and the seller as long as the right protections are put in place. The following is a brief overview of these types of purchases. If this is something you are considering – either as a buyer or seller – contact our Stamford real estate law firm for more detailed information.

What Is a “Subject-To” Transaction?

A Subject-To real estate transaction is when a buyer purchases a property but the mortgage stays in the seller/current owner’s name. A deed is drafted that turns the property over to the buyer, but the mortgage – and legal obligation to pay it – is still on the seller. The financial institution that holds the mortgage is not notified of the transaction. Instead, the buyer now takes over the mortgage payments. These transactions typically involve little or no cash and no credit.

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 Posted on March 15, 2023 in Juvenile Crimes

Connecticut lawmakers are considering a bill that will prohibit law enforcement from deliberately lying to minors while interrogating them. If the bill becomes law, it would make any kind of statement, admission, or confession made by a defendant under the age of 18 inadmissible if it was obtained due to deceptive interrogation tactics by police.

According to statistics collected by the ACLU of Connecticut, almost 30 percent of wrongful convictions in Connecticut involved cases where police lied or coerced defendants into making false confessions, including children. The bill would require police to prove “by clear and convincing evidence” that the statement was obtained without using these tactics.

Proposed New Law

Earlier this week, public hearings were held that gave the opportunity for people to speak out their support or opposition to the proposed legislation. Some of the proponents of the bill that testified were people who had been convicted as minors following false confessions that were obtained during police interrogations where the officers used deceptive tactics to elicit the confessions. There were also attorneys who had worked with multiple clients who were minors that had confessed to crimes they did not actually commit following police interrogations.

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