In the state of Connecticut, it is illegal to drive a vehicle with a BAC level of 0.08 (in general). The BAC limit is 0.03 percent in case of commercial drivers and it is .02 in case of driver under 21 years of age. Getting caught under the charges of dui will attract certain Connecticut drunk driving penalties. Following is a brief rundown on it.
Connecticut Dui Laws For First Time Conviction
- Your vehicle will be towed and impounded at your expense for forty-eight hours.
- It will be legally mandatory for you to complete a Substance Abuse Treatment Program.
- The court will order for suspension of your driving license for twelve months.
- You will be liable to pay a certain amount of monetary fine that ranges from $500 to $1,000.
- A minimum 48 hours of jail term is mandatory, which can be extended for as long as six months. However, in cases, where the offense is not very serious, the court may suspend the mandatory jail term and ask you to participate in 100 hours of community service instead.
Connecticut Dui Laws For Second Time Conviction
If you get convicted in a dui case for a second time, the following Connecticut drunk driving penalties will be applicable.
- Your vehicle will be towed and impounded at your expense for forty-eight hours.
- At least 100 Hours of community service is mandatory.
- You will also be asked to complete a Substance Abuse Treatment Program at your own expense.
- Your driving license will be suspended for twelve months. Besides that, the court will also order you to get an ignition interlock device installed in your vehicle at least two years after suspension of your driver’s license.
- You will be liable to pay at least $1000 as monetary fine; the maximum fine for a second time conviction is $4000.
- You will be sent to jail for a minimum period of 120 days and for a maximum period of twenty four months.
Connecticut Dui Laws For Third Time Conviction
There are provisions for the following Connecticut drunk driving penalties for those who get convicted for a third time in a dui case.
- At least 100 hours of community service
- Permanent suspension of your driving license. You will be able to apply for a hearing after six years; there is no guarantee that even then you will be able to get your license back; it will entirely up to the court to make a final decision in this regard.
- At least $2,000 of monetary fine; the maximum fine can be as high as $8000
- At least twelve months of jail imprisonment; the maximum jail term can be as long as three years.
The implied consent law is applicable in this state also. It means the police officials do not need to ask for your consent to take chemical test. Since you are driving a vehicle in this state, you are considered to have given your consent by default. If you refuse, the same Connecticut drunk driving penalties will apply, which apply in case of dui convictions, as mentioned above.