Stamford, Connecticut – If you have been charged with driving under the influence in Stamford, Greenwich, Darien, New Canaan, Wilton, Westport or Fairfield, then one of the first things you should do is to contact an experienced Connecticut DUI attorney. The Connecticut DUI (driving under the influence) and DWI (driving while intoxicated) laws are established by the state legislature and include a variety of charges and penalty ranges. Case law and administrative rulings further complicate the issue. These proceedings can be very complex and many involve strict timelines. Because of this, the attorney you choose should have extensive experience in this field.
Many people who receive a DUI are under the impression there is nothing that can be done to defend against the charge or to help mitigate the damages. “This is simply not true,” states Mark Sherman, an experienced Stamford criminal lawyer who has successfully represented numerous clients in DUI / DWI cases. “There are a number of things that can go wrong in the administering of field sobriety tests, collection of breath and urine samples, or even with witness statements.” An attorney will examine every aspect of the case to make certain that your rights are protected.
Like many states, Connecticut has an implied consent law, which means that everyone who gets a driver’s license in this State is granting consent to submit to a sobriety test when requested by a law enforcement officer. Refusal to take the test results in an immediate suspension of driving privileges. “We have seen some cases where law enforcement has stated that a driver has refused a sobriety test and the driver has a different story,” Mark explains. For instance, a driver may not speak English clearly and not understand the request that is being made. Because perceptions of the event may differ, Connecticut law does allow a defendant a hearing to determine if they have truly refused the test, but the hearing request must be made within a specified seven day period; another reason seeking an attorney immediately is essential. A DUI or DWI can have a significant impact on your life. A loss of driving privileges, fines and jail time are all potential consequences. In some instances, drivers are required to install interlock devices on their vehicles once their driver’s license has been reinstated. Other areas of your life, including employment, professional licensing and insurance costs are impacted as well. “At our practice,” Mark Sherman continues, “our goal is first and foremost to get all charges dropped. If that is not possible than we strive to obtain the most lenient sentence.”
If you are facing DUI / DWI charges, then the best thing you can do for yourself is to retain an experienced Connecticut DUI attorney. The state’s attorneys prosecuting you are well-versed in the law, understand the system, and are not responsible for assisting you in any way. You need your own trained advocate to secure your rights and assist you in navigating through these difficult circumstances. Mark describes his approach in this manner: “People are human and will make mistakes at some point in their lives. In most cases, these are good people who deserve second chances. At our firm we work to give them that opportunity.”
Mark Sherman, a graduate of the University of Pennsylvania and Fordham University of Law, has been a member of the Connecticut, New York and Florida state bar associations since 1998. He is based out of Stamford, Connecticut and practices in both Connecticut and New York. He has been honored as a “Super Lawyer” in criminal defense by the peer-reviewed New England and Connecticut Super Lawyers Programs for 2011 and 2012.
