The night before Thanksgiving is one of the most dangerous nights of the year. While many people are at home prepping for the next day’s meal, college students and young adults are out partying. For some, this may be the first time they come home in months, meaning they are reuniting with hometown friends and colleagues. This is often celebrated with a night of drinking. On Thanksgiving Eve, bars and clubs fill up with party-goers. As a result, there are many drunk drivers on the road. In fact, the night before Thanksgiving has been nicknamed “Drinksgiving” or “Blackout Wednesday.” If you receive a DUI Thanksgiving weekend, you will want to contact an experienced criminal defense attorney. Read on to learn more about DUI charges in Connecticut.
What Determines my BAC?
Your DUI charges are dependent upon your BAC and your previous offenses. Your BAC is your blood alcohol content. You will be charged with a DUI if you are under 21 years old and you have a BAC of .02% or above, over 21 years old and you have a BAC of .08% or higher, and if you are pulled over driving a commercial vehicle with a BAC of .04% and up. Your BAC is determined by many things. For example, it depends on what kind of alcohol you drink, how much you drink, and how quickly you drink it, among other circumstances.
Additionally, it is important to note that DUI charges increase depending on previous offenses. So, if you are pulled over for a second or third time and receive a DUI, your charges will become more severe.
First Offense DUI Penalties:
If you are over 21 and you were pulled over driving with a blood alcohol content (BAC) of .08% or higher, and this is your first time receiving a DUI, you may face the following penalties:
- Mandatory 45-day license suspension
- Mandatory installation of an ignition interlock device for 1 year
- Jail time up to 6 months
- Probation with 100 hours of community service
- Fines from $500-$1000
- Possible participation in an alcohol education and treatment program
If you or a loved one is charged with a DUI this Thanksgiving Eve, reach out to our firm to discuss your charges, your options, and what we can do for you. We will work to explore every option and find the best way to fight your charges.
Contact Our Firm
Marc N. Needelman is an experienced attorney working throughout the state of Connecticut. If you need an attorney who is ready to fight for the financial compensation you deserve, please do not hesitate to contact us to set up a free initial consultation. Our firm deals with matters relating to real estate, personal injury, criminal defense, estate planning, and more.
