Connecticut DUI Defense and Connecticut DUI Lawyer

You are not alone. We have been through this before and will help you.

In one night, your whole life can change. Suddenly you are facing a court appearance, a fight to save your suspended driver’s license, and the embarrassment and shame that goes with being accused of a crime.

All at once your life seems out of control. Unfortunately, a DUI arrest usually is compounded with other family and personal issues, and it may seem overwhelming at times. That is where we come in.

At Ruane Attorneys, our lawyers and staff are trained in the defense of Connecticut DUI cases. We have a reputation for fighting for our clients and winning the tough cases all over Connecticut. By putting our team to work for you, we can take on the stress of the court and DMV fight, and allow you to fix the other parts of your life.

We have successfully represented people who have admitted they had been drinking, had open containers of alcohol in their car, and have had serious accidents. With our firm on your side, no case is a lost cause. We find defenses that other lawyers miss. Each year, thousands of people just like you call Ruane Attorneys for the best DUI defense in Connecticut.

Even police officers and prosecutors call us when they are facing a DUI charge. We never charge for a consultation, so contact us today to get answers to your questions.

About Us

The anchor of our practice has been DUI for 20 years. Over that time, Attorneys Jim and Jay Ruane have become national leaders in the creative defense of DUI charges, handling more DUI cases in the State of Connecticut than any other law firm.

The addition of “Lady DUI,” Attorney Teresa DiNardi, to the team in 2006 extended the firm’s capabilities to handle cases in every courthouse in the state.

Our skills in DUI have gained the attention of the Connecticut Bar Association, the National College for DUI Defense, the Connecticut Criminal Defense Lawyers Association, and the DUI Defense Lawyers Association, who all turn to Jay Ruane to serve as a teacher of other attorneys on how to handle these types of cases.

In addition to his live lectures, Attorney Ruane has published multiple books on DUI defense for both citizens and lawyers.

Our website has more content about DUI and the DUI process that any other law firm in the state. Here you can find information about:

The Basics

In the state of Connecticut, if you are 21 or older, you are legally intoxicated if your blood alcohol content (BAC) is a .08 or higher. If you are under the legal age to consume alcohol (21 years old), you are considered legally intoxicated if you have a BAC of .02 or higher. Connecticut has an Implied Consent Law that states that every person who operates a motor vehicle has consented to take a test to determine their blood alcohol content at any time while they are operating a motor vehicle. A person who operates a motor vehicle under the influence of alcohol or drugs will face both criminal and administrative charges. The criminal charges require an appearance in court to be prosecuted for a DUI offense. The administrative charges deal with the automatic suspension of your license by the DMV. The Court and DMV are totally independent of each other, however both carry serious penalties.

Arrest Process

There are many aspects of the arrest process that may be familiar to the general public from TV or movies. In fact, a Connecticut arrest for DUI has many more involved parts then what it seems like on the surface. At any point in this process mistakes can be made that can seriously affect the effectiveness of the testing used to charge someone with a DUI. Ruane Attorneys are experienced in finding these errors.

The Criminal Process

Perhaps the most challenging aspect of a DUI charge is dealing with the stress associated with the criminal process. There are several stressful factors that will affect the defendant, the most difficult of which is the frightening experience of the arrest itself. It is very common to have nightmares about the ordeal and to find oneself thinking about it during daily activity as well. Many people notice changes in many aspects of their lives including diet, difficulties in completing daily activities, weight loss, and sleepless nights. These are common occurrences and those who are handling DUI charges should understand that they are not alone and their problems are not unique. Most people who are charged with the offense of driving under the influence are just common everyday people.

The DMV Process

When you are arrested for a DUI, the arresting agency, by law, must report this to the Department of Motor Vehicles. The DMV then processes your information and will issue a notice to you that they are planning on suspending your license. The DMV can suspend your driver’s license because of the state’s implied consent law. The implied consent law states that whenever you drive on the roads in the State of Connecticut, you have given your consent to submit to a chemical test of your blood, breath, or urine. If you fail this test, or refuse to give a sample, the DMV can strip you of your privilege to drive for a specified time period.

Resources for Lawyers

We recently published a trial notebook for DUI defense attorneys. The full book is available for purchase here, but here is a section to give you an idea of what the book is like and provide a free resource for trial lawyers.

Help With a Connecticut DUI

We can help you if you are facing a Connecticut DUI. Contact our office to learn more about defense options and what we can do for you.