Major Driving Offenses In Connecticut

DUI conviction in Connecticut
Major Driving Offenses In Connecticut

What is a Major Driving Offense In Connecticut?

A major driving offense is any moving violation that can or does results in serious bodily injury or death. These offenses are typically classified as felonies or misdemeanors and are punishable by jail time and serious fines.

Some of the most common major driving offenses in Connecticut include:

  • DUI/DWI
  • Vehicular homicide
  • Evading responsibility (hit and run)
  • Reckless driving
  • Engaging in police pursuit

Penalties for Major Traffic Offenses in Connecticut

The penalties for a major traffic offense in Connecticut will depend on the specific offense committed, as well as the severity of the resulting damages. However, all major driving offenses are considered felonies or misdemeanors and carry significant penalties.

  • For example, a first offense DUI is punishable by up to 6 months in jail, 2 days of which are a mandatory minimum (unless you choose to do 100 hours of community service instead), and a mandatory $500 fine. A second offense DUI involves a mandatory 120 days in jail, and a third or subsequent offense DUI involves a mandatory year in jail, in additional to enhanced fines, suspended time, and probation.
  • Evading responsibility resulting in serious bodily injury is punishable by up to five years in jail, and resulting in death  . A hit and run that results in property damage is anpunishable by up to one year in jail and a $1,000 fine.
  • Reckless driving is punishable by up to three months in jail and a $500 fine.
  • Street racing is punishable by up to one year in jail and a $1,000 fine.

,Get help now

The penalties for major traffic offenses are significant and can have a lasting impact offenseon your life. If you have been charged with a major traffic offense, it is important to seek experienced legal representation as soon as possible.

An experienced traffic attorney will be able to review the facts of your case and advise you of your best legal options. Additionally, an attorney can help negotiate with prosecutors on your be majorhalf and ensure that you receive a fair trial. If you have been charged with a major traffic offense, contact an experienced Connecticut criminal defense attorney today.

Christopher Llinas

J. Christopher Llinas is a Connecticut criminal defense and immigration attorney with over 25 years of legal experience. He is the founder of Iron Chris Criminal Defense & Immigration, based in Middletown, CT. Chris earned his J.D. from Franklin Pierce Law Center (now the University of New Hampshire School of Law) in 1997 and holds a B.A., magna cum laude, in English from Salisbury University. During law school he served as a teaching assistant for Civil Procedure and Constitutional Law, and competed in moot court and trial advocacy programs. He began his legal career as an Assistant Public Defender, defending clients in felony, misdemeanor, and traffic matters. He later served as an Assistant State's Attorney, prosecuting criminal and traffic cases — giving him a firsthand understanding of how the prosecution builds its case. He has also served as a law clerk, legal aid attorney, and in-house corporate counsel before dedicating his practice to criminal defense and immigration. Chris is admitted to practice in Connecticut, Maryland, the U.S. District Court, and the U.S. Court of Appeals. He is a member of the Connecticut Criminal Defense Lawyers Association, the National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers (NACDL), the National College of DUI Defense (NCDD), and the American Immigration Lawyers Association (AILA). His practice covers DUI and OUI defense, drug charges, weapons charges, violent crimes, juvenile matters, probation violations, federal criminal defense, and immigration removal proceedings throughout Connecticut.

📞 Call Now 💬 Chat Now