Connecticut First-Time Offender Guide: Jail or Second Chance?

Published on: August 29, 2025 | by The Law Offices of Allan F. Friedman

court-300x225 Getting arrested for the first time in Connecticut is terrifying. I hear the same question from almost every client after their first arrest: “Am I going to jail?” The short answer is that while jail is technically possible, in most first-offense cases, there are alternatives that can keep your record clean and keep you out of a cell.

Jail Is Rare for First-Time Offenders

Connecticut judges and prosecutors understand that people make mistakes. The law provides them with tools to resolve first-offense cases without sending someone to jail. Unless your case involves a serious felony, violence, or repeated conduct, jail is usually not the outcome.

Why Connecticut DMV Per Se Hearings Are So Hard to Win

Published on: August 26, 2025 | by The Law Offices of Allan F. Friedman

Introduction – The Reality No One Tells You

When you’re arrested for DUI in Connecticut, most people think the biggest threat is the criminal case. They picture a courtroom, a judge, maybe a jury. But there’s another fight—one that hits faster, with fewer protections, and can be just as damaging: the DMV, per se, license suspension hearing.

I’ve been defending DUI cases across Stamford and throughout Connecticut for over 30 years. Here’s the truth: these hearings are often harder to win than the criminal case. The rules are different, the standards are lower, and the stakes are high. If you don’t act fast, you could lose your license by default.

Connecticut Marijuana & Drug DUI: What You Need to Know in 2025

Published on: August 23, 2025 | by The Law Offices of Allan F. Friedman

Legal Weed, Serious Risks: The Reality of Driving Under the Influence in Connecticut

Recreational marijuana is now legal for adults in Connecticut—but don’t mistake legalization for a free pass to drive after using cannabis. Law enforcement has ramped up efforts to crack down on drugged driving, and a conviction can have devastating consequences: loss of your license, steep fines, possible jail time, and a permanent criminal record.

At The Law Offices of Allan F. Friedman, we’ve been defending clients accused of DUI and drug offenses in Stamford, Norwalk, Bridgeport, and across Connecticut for over 30 years. Here’s what you need to know about how the law works, why these cases are so aggressively prosecuted, and how we fight to protect our clients’ futures.

Why You Should Never Submit to a Field Sobriety Test in Connecticut DUI Cases – And Why You Should Almost Always Consent to a Breathalyzer Test

Published on: August 17, 2025 | by The Law Offices of Allan F. Friedman

Introduction: Protecting Your Rights After a DUI Arrest

Getting pulled over on suspicion of drunk driving in Connecticut can be one of the most intimidating experiences of your life. The flashing lights, the officer’s questions, and the immediate pressure to comply with every request can leave you feeling powerless. However, what you decide to do in the minutes after being stopped can have a massive impact on the outcome of your case.

Many people don’t realize that you have the right to refuse certain tests—but refusing others could cause serious problems. Specifically, you should never submit to field sobriety tests in Connecticut, but you should almost always consent to a breathalyzer test.

10 Costly Mistakes People Make After a DUI Arrest in Connecticut

Published on: August 8, 2025 | by The Law Offices of Allan F. Friedman

If you’ve been arrested for DUI in Connecticut, your next steps can mean the difference between protecting your future and making matters worse. As an experienced Connecticut criminal defense attorney, I’ve seen how even well-meaning people make critical errors that damage their cases. This expanded guide not only breaks down the ten most common—and most costly—mistakes people make after a DUI arrest in Connecticut, but also provides real-world case examples to show how these mistakes can impact your outcome.

1. Talking to Police Without a Lawyer Present

After a DUI arrest, you might feel tempted to “explain” your side. In Connecticut, anything you say can and will be used against you. Many clients think cooperating fully means telling their story right away—but police are trained to gather evidence, not to clear your name.

Defending First-Time DUI Charges in Connecticut: A Criminal Defense Lawyer’s Guide

Published on: August 4, 2025 | by The Law Offices of Allan F. Friedman

Lady-Justice--e1581224208144-225x300 As a Connecticut criminal defense attorney, I often work with individuals who’ve been arrested for driving under the influence (DUI) for the first time. A first-time DUI in Connecticut can be intimidating, especially if you’ve never been in trouble with the law before.

The good news? A skilled Connecticut DUI defense lawyer can often help first-time offenders avoid a conviction and preserve their driver’s license. This guide breaks down everything you need to know, including penalties, defense strategies, and how a criminal defense lawyer can help you navigate the process.

What Is a DUI in Connecticut?

First Time Offender DUI Penalties and Defenses in Connecticut

Published on: June 29, 2023 | by The Law Offices of Allan F. Friedman

Lady-Justice--e1581224208144-225x300 Getting a DUI is terrifying, and if you have never gotten one before, you probably have many questions on your mind. If you have gotten a first-time DUI charge, it is important to understand what this means by Connecticut law. The good news is that a first-time DUI is not nearly as serious as other DUI cases. Because of this, the repercussions will be much less significant, and defending this case is less difficult. Here is everything you need to know if you have been charged with a first-time DUI.

First-Time DUI Offense in Connecticut

States like Connecticut have strict laws around driving under the influence, which can result in DUI charges. It is important to understand that being under the influence does not just include alcohol. You could be considered driving under the influence if you are taking marijuana, illegal drugs, or prescription medications. Anything inhibiting your driving ability could set you up for a first-time DUI offense. This includes anything that interrupts concentration, your ability to stay awake, or decision-making skills. For first-time DUI convictions, this includes both criminal and administrative penalties. The DMV is alerted if you have been arrested and charged with operating a vehicle while under the influence. The DMV will then act by suspending your license if you refuse a chemical test to check for drugs or alcohol or if you fail a chemical test. These tests could include a chemical breath test, blood test, or urine test at the election of the arresting officer. Most DUI arrests in Connecticut rely upon a breath sample, the least accurate method to measure BAC.

DUI Cases in Connecticut

Published on: May 7, 2023 | by The Law Offices of Allan F. Friedman

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Statistics show that 10% of all criminal arrests made in the US are comprised of DUI arrests. This shows just how common DUIs are all across America. That said, it is important to understand that DUIs will differ everywhere you go. If you live in Connecticut, the DUI process may look a little different than in Ohio. If you have been charged with a DUI in Connecticut, there are important things you will need to understand about what happens afterward. This article will break down every aspect of a DUI case you need to know about. Keep reading to discover about DUI cases and what happens when you get a DUI in Connecticut.

What Classifies as a DUI in Connecticut?

Drugs and alcohol are against the law when operating a vehicle if they impair your driving ability. This is because alcohol and drugs affect your ability to safely focus on the road and operate a vehicle. In Connecticut, a DUI stands for driving under the influence. You can receive a DUI if you are operating a motor vehicle under the influence of alcohol or drugs. It’s important to understand that these offenses can be prosecuted without direct evidence. Direct evidence would be the blood alcohol concentration of the person driving or BAC. This evidence is not always required if the person is obviously impaired. If you are operating a vehicle in Connecticut, this is also considered to be your automatic consent to a BAC test by operation of statute if the police have probable cause to make an arrest for DUI. You are legally intoxicated if the BAC shows .08 or above. This only applies to adults over the age of 21. You are considered intoxicated if your BAC is .02 or higher as a driver under 21. In some cases, even if you refuse a chemical test, police can claim intoxication based on your condition and actions. There are different tests that they can do without the BAC to determine this, such as a field sobriety test, but it is not always concrete. A field sobriety test is a subjectively scored test that many sober people will fail and is considered unreliable. The best Connecticut DUI lawyers will always advise you to refuse a field sobriety test and not answer any police questions about whether or not you were drinking or using drugs.

DMV License Suspensions for a DUI Arrest

Published on: December 26, 2022 | by The Law Offices of Allan F. Friedman

Handcuffs-orange-GMB-geo-tagged--300x225 Many clients do not understand that an arrest for a DUI will result in two separate proceedings against them. The first is a criminal case in the Superior Court. Many first-time offenders may be eligible for the IDIP diversionary program, which can result in the dismissal of the criminal DUI charge. However, regardless of the outcome in the Superior Court with the DUI allegation, the CT DMV will usually institute a separate administrative procedure to suspend your license. The DMV case is adjudicated in a separate administrative appeal by the DMV, not the court.

DMV Administrative Per Se License Suspensions

When you are arrested for a DUI, the arresting officer, in most cases, will ask you to perform a chemical test to determine if you are intoxicated. It is challenging as you must decide quickly whether to take the chemical test. Since 2014, Connecticut has gone to an all-offender interlock system in which all license suspensions from the DMV are for 45 days, followed by a period when an interlock device must be installed in the vehicle.

5 Things to Know About Connecticut Pretrial Diversionary Programs

Published on: March 18, 2020 | by The Law Offices of Allan F. Friedman

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In this blog, we are going to review five things that people should know about pretrial diversionary programs in Connecticut.

If you have been arrested for a serious motor vehicle offense or crime in Connecticut, one option is to plead not guilty and take your case to trial. Going to trial has many disadvantages as trials are very costly, and the results are never guaranteed no matter how strong a case you have. The other option is to accept a plea bargain, which many clients don’t want to do, especially if they are not guilty.

Diversionary programs are a way to resolve your case without going to trial and obtain a dismissal of the charges against you. In some situations, using a diversionary program is the ideal way to resolve your criminal charges. Diversionary programs are commonly used in Connecticut. We have a multitude of diversionary programs available for various circumstances. If you have been arrested for any crime or serious motor vehicle offense, you should consult with an experienced Connecticut criminal defense lawyer to review all of your options.