Chances are that a New London DUI arrest is your first run-in with the law. You may be familiar with a few crime TV shows or may have been to your local courthouse to attend jury duty, but these experiences give you very little information about what your court process will be like when you face a crime. There is no need to panic though – you can better prepare yourself for the court process you need to go through and going to court with the information on this page.
In most cases when you are arrested for driving under the influence, you will be taken to the local police station where you will be processed. Then a judge will determine if bail should or should not be granted to you during your arraignment. If bail is denied, you will have to stay in police custody until your court date. However, for most first offense DUIs, a judge will grant bail and it should be set at a reasonable amount. Once you post the bail bond – through your own funds or with the help of a bail bondsman – you are free to leave and continue your regular life until your court date.
In most cases, you will have to appear in court to handle your New London DUI. If there are any court dates that you do not need to attend, your lawyer will let you know. However, you should plan on having to attend all hearings and make plans for this.
Call us today to schedule a free consultation with my team. Hope will not fix your Connecticut DUI charge. Contacting us can!
Before your case proceeds to trial, your attorney will attempt to negotiate with the prosecutor assigned to your case. Both sides will discuss the case’s weaknesses and strengths and determine if a plea bargain can be reached or if the case can be dismissed altogether. You should discuss the options available to you with your DUI defense attorney. Your lawyer can advise you on the best option.
In some cases, the right option for you may be to proceed to a trial. If this is the case, your lawyer will work to present the strongest defense to a judge and a jury. This is the last step in the process before you would be found innocent or guilty of the charges by the jury. A trial is not right for every case, but depending on your circumstances, could be right for you.
Just appearing in court can be a daunting experience. Some basic courthouse information can make the process easier. The New London Superior Court is located at 112 Broad Street, New London, CT 06320. You can park on the street near the courthouse and then proceed through the courthouse front doors. At this point, you will encounter the Courthouse Security Checkpoint.
After passing through the Courthouse Security Checkpoint, you need to find the courtroom where your case is assigned. Your lawyer can help you do this or you can get more information by asking for assistance at the front desk.
Dealing with the New London court process can be overwhelming, but it doesn’t have to. Hiring a local lawyer who has handled DUI cases in the courthouse before can provide you with valuable information and resources as you navigate your own case. Our lawyers have worked in the New London courthouse for years and are here to help you. Give us a call to have your questions answered.
Get your free copy of Teresa's eBook on surviving a Connecticut DUI. Delivered right to your inbox.