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

What are the Penalties for Drug DUI in Connecticut?

If you have been charged with a drug DUI as opposed to an alcohol-based DUI, there are some aspects of your situation and case that will differ from a traditional DUI. This is particularly the case in terms of evidence against you and proving that you were under the influence of an illegal substance. However, there are some aspects of the law that are the same. The drug DUI law and alcohol DUI law are the same in the state of Connecticut. This means that you will face the same penalties for a drug DUI as you would for an alcohol DUI. You can learn about these penalties here.

Criminal Penalties

If you are convicted of a DUI, whether it is a drug DUI or an alcohol DUI, you will face criminal charges and criminal penalties. These penalties will differ depending on a few factors, including if you are a first time offender or if you have previous DUIs on your record. Regardless of the specifics, there are a few categories of penalties that you face.

The first is a fine. Again, the amount of the fine will depend on your specific situation, but you could face thousands of dollars in fines depending on the situation. In addition, you could face jail time if you are charged with a DUI. First time DUI offenders rarely have to serve a jail sentence. They might enter rehabilitation or serve community service hours instead. However, a jail sentence is a possibility, and if you don’t have a lawyer on your side to defend you, it is an issue that you could face.

Second or third time DUI offenders are also more likely to serve a jail sentence. Another big penalty for a DUI is a license suspension. It is very difficult to have a driver’s license suspension waived by the court. The best that you could hope for is obtaining a work or education permit so that you can drive to or from work or school. Obviously, having your license suspended can make it very difficult to get around, whether for personal or professional reasons. If you have a job related to driving, such as being a truck driver, bus driver, etc. having a suspended license can have a serious impact on your livelihood. You also have to face the use of an ignition interlock device in your vehicle once the license suspension is over.

DMV Penalties

The court is allowed to suspend your license, but so is the DMV. This means that in addition to the driver’s license suspension imposed by the court, you could face a longer suspension from the DMV.

Even if the criminal court finds you not guilty of driving under the influence, the DMV can still suspend your license. The DMV is not a court of law, and it is not difficult for them to find cause to suspend your license. They don’t have to prove that you were driving under the influence of a substance to suspend your license.

Additional Charges

If you are charged with other drug-related crimes in addition to DUI, you could face additional penalties for these crimes. This could mean additional fines, jail time, and license suspensions. To defend yourself against a drug DUI and any additional charges, please contact my office.

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

drug dui penalties?

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