Skip to content
  • About
  • Pre-Arrest
    • Alcohol’s Impact on the Body
    • Am I Ok to Drive?
    • Implied Consent
      • Breath Testing
      • Draeger 9250
      • Refusing a Breathalyzer
    • Connecticut Police
      • The Phases of Police Detection
      • Initial Stops
    • National Standardized Field Sobriety Tests
      • Connecticut DUI Field Sobriety Tests
      • One Leg Stand Test
      • Walk and Turn Test
      • Horizontal Gaze Nystagmus Test
      • Unvalidated DUI Field Tests
      • Drug Tests at the Field
    • Drug Tests at the Police Station
    • Passengers in DUI
  • Court Process
    • Hiring a Lawyer
      • Why You Need a Lawyer
      • Finding an Attorney
      • Retaining an Attorney
      • How a Lawyer Helps
    • Connecticut DUI General Statutes
    • Open Container Laws
    • Underage Drinking Laws
    • Connecticut DUI Arrest
      • After DUI Arrest
    • DUI Basics
      • First Steps in DUI Case
      • Important DUI Cases
      • Common Defenses
      • How to Conduct Yourself in Court
    • DUI Case and Personal Injury Case
      • Getting Sued
      • DUIs and Hit and Runs
      • DUI and Additional Crimes
    • CT DUI vs. NY DWAI
    • Connecticut vs. Out of State DUI
      • Out of State DUI
      • What If I’m a Connecticut Resident?
      • Similarities and Differences
      • Fighting an Out of State DUI
      • Hiring an Out of State Lawyer
      • Out of State License Suspensions
      • DUI in Another Country
    • Boating Under the Influence General Statutes
    • The Criminal Court Process
      • Obtaining Documents
      • Filing Motions
      • Ways to Plead
      • People Involved in a DUI Case
      • How to Conduct Yourself in Court
  • DMV Process
    • DMV Information
    • The DMV Process for Connecticut DUI
    • Court Hearing vs. DMV Hearing
      • Burden of Proof
    • Driver’s License Points
    • Types of Driver’s License Suspensions
      • DMV Suspensions
      • Suspended License Reinstatement
  • DUI Consequences
    • Impact on CDL
    • DUI Penalties
    • Sentencing
      • Alternatives to Jail
      • Alcohol Education Program (AEP)
        • What is It?
        • Should You Apply?
    • DUI Impact
      • Impact on a Taxi Driving Career
      • Impact on a Bus Driving Career
      • Impact on Pilot Career
      • Impact on Doctor Career
      • Impact on Nursing Career
      • Impact on Teaching Career
      • Impact on a Military Career
      • Impact on College Career
    • Vehicle Confiscation
    • Car Insurance Issues
    • Elevated BAC
      • Elevated BAC Penalties
    • Suspending a License
      • Driving with a Suspended License
    • Work and Education Permits
    • What You Can’t Do After a DUI
    • Getting a Pardon
  • Drug DUI
    • Drug DUI vs. Alcohol DUI
    • Marijuana and DUI
    • Prescription Drugs and DUI
    • Drug DUI and Minors
    • Common Drug DUI Defenses
    • Drug DUI Penalties
  • Contact
Menu
  • About
  • Pre-Arrest
    • Alcohol’s Impact on the Body
    • Am I Ok to Drive?
    • Implied Consent
      • Breath Testing
      • Draeger 9250
      • Refusing a Breathalyzer
    • Connecticut Police
      • The Phases of Police Detection
      • Initial Stops
    • National Standardized Field Sobriety Tests
      • Connecticut DUI Field Sobriety Tests
      • One Leg Stand Test
      • Walk and Turn Test
      • Horizontal Gaze Nystagmus Test
      • Unvalidated DUI Field Tests
      • Drug Tests at the Field
    • Drug Tests at the Police Station
    • Passengers in DUI
  • Court Process
    • Hiring a Lawyer
      • Why You Need a Lawyer
      • Finding an Attorney
      • Retaining an Attorney
      • How a Lawyer Helps
    • Connecticut DUI General Statutes
    • Open Container Laws
    • Underage Drinking Laws
    • Connecticut DUI Arrest
      • After DUI Arrest
    • DUI Basics
      • First Steps in DUI Case
      • Important DUI Cases
      • Common Defenses
      • How to Conduct Yourself in Court
    • DUI Case and Personal Injury Case
      • Getting Sued
      • DUIs and Hit and Runs
      • DUI and Additional Crimes
    • CT DUI vs. NY DWAI
    • Connecticut vs. Out of State DUI
      • Out of State DUI
      • What If I’m a Connecticut Resident?
      • Similarities and Differences
      • Fighting an Out of State DUI
      • Hiring an Out of State Lawyer
      • Out of State License Suspensions
      • DUI in Another Country
    • Boating Under the Influence General Statutes
    • The Criminal Court Process
      • Obtaining Documents
      • Filing Motions
      • Ways to Plead
      • People Involved in a DUI Case
      • How to Conduct Yourself in Court
  • DMV Process
    • DMV Information
    • The DMV Process for Connecticut DUI
    • Court Hearing vs. DMV Hearing
      • Burden of Proof
    • Driver’s License Points
    • Types of Driver’s License Suspensions
      • DMV Suspensions
      • Suspended License Reinstatement
  • DUI Consequences
    • Impact on CDL
    • DUI Penalties
    • Sentencing
      • Alternatives to Jail
      • Alcohol Education Program (AEP)
        • What is It?
        • Should You Apply?
    • DUI Impact
      • Impact on a Taxi Driving Career
      • Impact on a Bus Driving Career
      • Impact on Pilot Career
      • Impact on Doctor Career
      • Impact on Nursing Career
      • Impact on Teaching Career
      • Impact on a Military Career
      • Impact on College Career
    • Vehicle Confiscation
    • Car Insurance Issues
    • Elevated BAC
      • Elevated BAC Penalties
    • Suspending a License
      • Driving with a Suspended License
    • Work and Education Permits
    • What You Can’t Do After a DUI
    • Getting a Pardon
  • Drug DUI
    • Drug DUI vs. Alcohol DUI
    • Marijuana and DUI
    • Prescription Drugs and DUI
    • Drug DUI and Minors
    • Common Drug DUI Defenses
    • Drug DUI Penalties
  • Contact

How to Retain the Right DUI Defense Attorney

Law firms handle different areas of law: criminal defense, personal injury, bankruptcy, family law, wills and estate planning, etc. In addition, some attorneys in Connecticut only practice criminal defense including a broad range of cases in addition to DUI such as white collar crimes, sexual assaults, and domestic violence.

Also, when choosing to hire an attorney for a DUI case, ask this question: “What percentage of your practice focuses on DUI cases?” You should look to hire a DUI defense lawyer who has a large knowledge base regarding the total sphere of laws, procedure, and science that DUI cases encompass. Also, there are many intricacies of DUI law, and even the tiniest detail could potentially affect the outcome of your case and the status of your driver’s license. Also, many attorneys advertise DUI defense. Based on my experience of handling thousands of DUI cases, I recommend hiring­ an attorney who focuses their entire practice on Connecticut DUI law, rather than a general practitioner.

The sooner you consult with and retain an attorney, the better. The few weeks after the arrest are absolutely critical, and you have to do everything to put yourself in the best position to move forward and get a favorable outcome. Also, time-sensitive information (such as a DMV reference number and other documents) needs to go to your attorney as soon as possible to prepare for your DMV hearing.

In order to discuss your case with the prosecutor, your attorney will need to know details about your motor vehicle and criminal history. The events leading up to the arrest are also vitally important and your attorney will request your narrative of exactly what happened the day or night the arrest.

Relevant Questions

Some of the questions that may be relevant to your case are:

  • Where were you the night of your arrest?
  • Did you consume any prescription medication within a day of the arrest?
  • Did the officer tell you the basis for the traffic stop?
  • Who were you with when you were pulled over?
  • What did the officer say to you when you were first pulled over?
  • Did you admit to drinking alcohol?

DUI Checkpoint

If you were stopped at a DUI checkpoint, your attorney may need to know the following information:

  • Did you know that a sobriety checkpoint was ahead?
  • Were you given any notice of the checkpoint?
  • If yes, what type of notice was given?
  • Were you given an opportunity ahead of the checkpoint to avoid the checkpoint?
  • How many other cars were ahead of you at the checkpoint?
  • Did you attempt to turn away from the checkpoint before reaching it?
  • How long did you have to wait in line at the checkpoint?
  • Did you notice any pattern in which vehicles were being directed into the checkpoint?
  • What did the initial conversation with the officer who approached your window consist of?

Car Accident

If you were involved in a car accident in addition to a DUI case, some of the questions involved will be:

  • How exactly did the accident occur?
  • Did the airbag deploy?
  • Were you injured?
  • Was any other passenger in your vehicle injured?
  • If yes, what were the injuries?
  • Was anyone else in another vehicle injured?
  • After the accident, did you leave the scene of the accident?
  • Did you call the police or did someone else call?

Sobriety

To determine evidence of sobriety during initial police contact, your attorney may ask these questions:

  • How did the officer approach the vehicle?
  • What did the officer first say to you?
  • Did the officer ask if you had been drinking?
  • How did you respond?
  • Did the officer ask for license, registration, and proof of insurance?
  • If the answer is yes, where were these documents located?
  • Did you have any problems locating these documents?
  • Did the police officer ask anyone else in the vehicle any other questions?
  • If yes, what did they respond?
  • Did you have any additional conversation with the officer before getting out of the vehicle?

Field Sobriety Tests

Questions involving field sobriety tests include:

  • Did the officer request that you step out of the vehicle in order to perform field sobriety tests?
  • Were you informed that these tests are voluntary?
  • Did you agree to perform these tests?
  • Did you have any issues whatsoever getting out of the car (i.e. stumbling, tripping, balance, etc.)
  • Were you asked if you have any medical conditions that could affect you taking the field sobriety tests?
  • If yes, what was your response?
  • Do you have any medical issues that could have affected your performance?
  • What type of shoes were you wearing?
  • Do you wear contact lenses?
  • Where specifically did the officer make you perform these tests?
  • What were the weather conditions like when you performed these tests?
  • Were any emergency lights flashing from the police officer’s vehicles when you were performing these tests?

ATTORNEY TERESA DINARDI

My name is Teresa, and I am a DUI lawyer, but that is only part of who I am. I have been practicing law in Connecticut since 2006.

READ MY STORY

CALL THE OFFICE

My office has operators standing by 24 hours a day 7 days a week. When you need to speak to an attorney, we will be there to answer the call.

Click to call

SEND A TEXT

Need to get some answers but not able to make a call? Just send us a text and one of my team members will reply ASAP.

Click to text

MESSAGE US

Need to reach out via Facebook? Use Facebook Messenger to send us your question.

open facebook messenger

VISIT US

With offices conveniently located in Stamford, Shelton, New Haven, Waterbury, and New London, we cover the entire state.

Click to see locations

HAVE QUESTIONS? Call my office 24/7 at (888) LADY-DUI

multiple office
locations

Wethersfield Office

1290 Silas Deane Hwy, Suite 3F
Wethersfield, CT 06109
Map & Directions ⟶

Shelton Office

1 Enterprise Drive, Suite 305
Shelton, CT 06484
Map & Directions ⟶

Stamford Office

84 W. Park Place, Suite 2
Stamford, CT 06901
Map & Directions ⟶

Waterbury Office

580 Watertown Avenue
Waterbury, CT 06708
Map & Directions ⟶

New Haven Office

2558 Whitney Avenue
Hamden, CT 06518
Map & Directions ⟶

New London Office

94 Broad Street
New London, CT 06320
Map & Directions ⟶

When it comes to DUI defense, hope is not a strategy, but contacting me is. Put me to work on your case so that you can focus on yourself and your family at this time. 

do i need a lawyer?

  • Finding a Good Lawyer
  • Hiring a Lawyer
  • Even When Pleading Guilty

DMV Process

  • DMV Information
  • Court vs. DMV Hearing
  • Driver's License Points

Court Process

  • DUI Basics
  • DUI Arrest
  • Criminal Court Process

DUI Consequences

  • Impact on CDL
  • Sentencing
  • Suspended License

firm info

  • About LadyDUI©
  • Contact Us
  • Privacy Policy

resources

  • eBooks
  • FAQs
  • Blog

Copyright 2019 | LadyDUI.com | Attorney James Ruane Is Responsible For The Content Of This Advertisement
DUI Not A Specialty | Privacy Policy

DESIGN & DEVELOPMENT BY LIGHTSWITCH ADVISORS

Have questions about

retaining a dui defense lawyer?

Call or Text Us and we can answer them for you

LADY DUI'S CONNECTICUT DUI SURVIVAL GUIDE

sent to you for free

Excellent Attorney

Pleased with case outcome!
new-google-favicon-512
 5/5

Best DUI Lawyer

Treated me with respect
new-google-favicon-512
 5/5

Worth the Investment

Couldn’t get a better outcome!
new-google-favicon-512
 5/5

Would recommend!

Impressed by her availability
new-google-favicon-512
 5/5

Gave Us Hope!

Couldn’t get a better outcome!
new-google-favicon-512
 5/5

Look No Further

Teresa goes above and beyond!
new-google-favicon-512
 5/5