Laws about drunk driving
"CONNECTICUT'S DWI LAW
CGS § 14-227a—Driving While Under the Influence of Alcohol or Drugs
Driving Under the Influence or with an “Elevated” BAC. The law prohibits driving (1) while under the influence of alcohol or drugs or (2) with an “elevated blood alcohol content.” A person is “under the influence” if his ability to drive is affected to an appreciable degree (Infield v. Sullivan, 151 Conn. 506 (1964)). This may be prosecuted with or without any direct evidence of his BAC. A person has an “elevated blood alcohol content” if his BAC is .08% alcohol by weight or above. The law also makes it illegal for someone under age 21 to drive with a BAC of .02% or more. While this is defined under a different statute (CGS § 14-227g), most of the criminal drunk driving provisions apply by reference to anyone under age 21 violating the prohibition.
The mere fact that a driver appears to be under age 21 does not provide reasonable and articulable suspicion that an offense has been committed that justifies a police officer's making an investigatory stop of the vehicle (CGS § 14-227g(b)).
The prosecutor cannot dismiss, nolle, or reduce a drunk driving charge without stating his reasons in court.
BAC Tests. BAC can be measured by testing the driver's blood, breath, or urine, with the police officer having the discretion to determine which test to use. This law establishes a rebuttable presumption that a driver's BAC at the time it is tested is the same as the BAC at the time he was stopped. But if the result of the second test is .12% or less and higher than the first test, the prosecution must demonstrate that the BAC at the time of the test accurately reflects the BAC at the time of the offense.
Penalties
First Offence
Either (a) up to six months with a mandatory minimum of two days or (b) up to six months suspended with probation requiring 100 hours of community service
$500- $1,000
One year
Second Offence
Up to two years, with a mandatory minimum of 120 consecutive days and probation with 100 hours community service
$1,000- $4,000
Three years (or until age 21 if longer)
Third and Subsequent Offence
Up to three years, with mandatory minimum of one year and probation with 100 hours community service
$2,000- $8,000
Permanent Revocation"
CGS § 14-227a—Driving While Under the Influence of Alcohol or Drugs
Driving Under the Influence or with an “Elevated” BAC. The law prohibits driving (1) while under the influence of alcohol or drugs or (2) with an “elevated blood alcohol content.” A person is “under the influence” if his ability to drive is affected to an appreciable degree (Infield v. Sullivan, 151 Conn. 506 (1964)). This may be prosecuted with or without any direct evidence of his BAC. A person has an “elevated blood alcohol content” if his BAC is .08% alcohol by weight or above. The law also makes it illegal for someone under age 21 to drive with a BAC of .02% or more. While this is defined under a different statute (CGS § 14-227g), most of the criminal drunk driving provisions apply by reference to anyone under age 21 violating the prohibition.
The mere fact that a driver appears to be under age 21 does not provide reasonable and articulable suspicion that an offense has been committed that justifies a police officer's making an investigatory stop of the vehicle (CGS § 14-227g(b)).
The prosecutor cannot dismiss, nolle, or reduce a drunk driving charge without stating his reasons in court.
BAC Tests. BAC can be measured by testing the driver's blood, breath, or urine, with the police officer having the discretion to determine which test to use. This law establishes a rebuttable presumption that a driver's BAC at the time it is tested is the same as the BAC at the time he was stopped. But if the result of the second test is .12% or less and higher than the first test, the prosecution must demonstrate that the BAC at the time of the test accurately reflects the BAC at the time of the offense.
Penalties
First Offence
Either (a) up to six months with a mandatory minimum of two days or (b) up to six months suspended with probation requiring 100 hours of community service
$500- $1,000
One year
Second Offence
Up to two years, with a mandatory minimum of 120 consecutive days and probation with 100 hours community service
$1,000- $4,000
Three years (or until age 21 if longer)
Third and Subsequent Offence
Up to three years, with mandatory minimum of one year and probation with 100 hours community service
$2,000- $8,000
Permanent Revocation"