A 2nd DUI in Cheshire is not viewed as a one-time mistake or lapse in judgment, as a first offense is. Instead, a second DUI is viewed as a sign of an underlying issue such as a substance abuse issue or a disregard for the law. Due to this, second DUIs are punished more harshly than first DUIs. Read on to learn more about the potential penalties that a person charged with a 2nd DUI faces and how to defend yourself.
Second DUIs in Cheshire and throughout Connecticut typically receive punishments of up to two years of incarceration with a mandatory minimum of 120 consecutive days served. Additional penalties include probation with 100 hours of community service, a $1,000-4,000 fine, and a 45-day license suspension. This license suspension is followed with three years of driving with a vehicle that is equipped with an ignition interlock device. In addition, the first year of driving once the license is reinstated is limited to driving to work, school, an alcohol or substance abuse treatment program, or an ignition interlock service center. If the offender is under 21 years of age, the suspension lasts for 45 days or until they are 21, whichever is longer.
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Unlike for first offenses, the person is no longer eligible for a pretrial alcohol education program, and these cases often end in convictions, which has a lasting effect on someone’s life. However, keep in mind that although jail will be imposed, it is often suspended, meaning you do not go to prison immediately. You instead are placed on probation, and if you break probation, then you have to go to prison for the full term. Probation is your alternative to serving jail time, and as such, you should take it seriously.
Meet with your probation officer when requested and do everything else asked of you by the court. This includes being charged with even more crimes. Other common conditions of release might also include having a curfew, keeping a job, going to school, avoiding communication with other people who have been charged with crimes, surrendering your firearms, avoiding drugs and alcohol, and more. Make sure to comply with your probation regulations to avoid a violation of probation and having to go to jail.
Oftentimes, second DUIs result in large fines, community service, a longer suspension of a person’s driver’s license, and an ignition interlock requirement. 2nd DUIs in Cheshire are quite serious and the situation is best handled by a trained professional. To contact a DUI defense lawyer who has worked with second offenders before, call Lady DUI today.
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