Mohegan Sun Casino DUI Lawyer

While the Mohegan Sun Casino exists entirely within the borders of the Mohegan Reservation, tribal police and state troopers still work together to enforce the Connecticut Penal Code for casino visitors, including its prohibition on drunk driving. When you have been accused of driving under the influence (“DUI”) while visiting Mohegan Sun, speaking with a Mohegan Sun Casino DUI lawyer sooner rather than later could be vital to building a strong legal defense and contesting your charges as effectively as possible.

Defining “DUI” Under State Law

There are two ways a Connecticut resident can be prosecuted under Connecticut General Statutes (C.G.S.) § 14-227a for driving while impaired at or around the Mohegan Sun Casino, both of which are enforced by tribal police in reciprocity with state law enforcement. First, anyone who operates a motor vehicle while “impaired” by alcohol, drugs, medication, or any combination thereof has committed a DUI offense under the Connecticut Penal Code. “Impairment” in this context is usually determined by a mixture of the defendant’s performance in field sobriety tests conducted by a police officer as well as that officer’s own interpretation of the defendant’s physical state.

Second, anyone found to have been operating a motor vehicle whose blood alcohol content (“BAC”) is 0.08 percent or more, as determined through breath, blood, or saliva testing, has committed a DUI offense. It is worth noting that even lower BAC limits of 0.04 percent and 0.02 percent apply to people with commercial driver’s licenses operating commercial vehicles and to people under the age of 21. Further, refusal to consent to BAC testing will result in an automatic one-year license suspension for a first-time offender and even longer suspensions for repeat offenders.

A first offense for DUI within seven years may result in the following sanctions:

A 45-day driver’s license suspension;
$500 to $1,000 in fines, plus other fees and court costs;
Between two days and six months of jail time or an equivalent term of probation plus 100 community service hours; and/or
Six months—or one year under certain circumstances—of mandatory ignition interlock device (“IID”) installation in all personal vehicles.

A Mohegan Sun Casino DUI attorney can provide vital help contesting either type of drunk driving charge proactively.

Do Repeat DUI Offenders Face Harsher Penalties?

Like most other states, Connecticut allows individuals convicted more than once of DUI within ten years to face enhanced criminal sanctions for each subsequent conviction. For example, someone convicted of drunk driving for a second time may face a minimum of 120 days in jail up to a maximum of two years, as well as $1,000 to $4,000 in fines, at least three years of mandatory IID installation, a 45-day license suspension and possibly mandatory substance abuse treatment.

Third and subsequent DUI convictions are considered to be felony offenses rather than misdemeanors and may result in between one and three years of incarceration, 100 hours of community service with probation, between $2,000 and $8,000 in fines, and license revocation for a minimum of two years, followed by IID installation for a minimum of 15 years. Importantly, license reinstatement after two years is not guaranteed, and the commissioner of the DMV is not required to remove the IID after the minimum 15 years except for good cause shown. If the commissioner does not find good cause to remove the IID, the IID must remain installed for as long as the person drives. Furthermore, as a qualified lawyer can explain, individuals categorized as “persistent offenders” based on a DUI offense at Mohegan Sun Casino may face harsher penalties upon conviction.

Get in Touch With a Mohegan Sun Casino DUI Attorney

Drunk driving is taken very seriously both within the state of Connecticut and on Native American tribal lands like the Mohegan Reservation. Whether you have a history of similar convictions or no record at all, working closely with a Mohegan Sun Casino DUI lawyer is essential to protecting your rights and minimizing the penalties you might wind up facing. Contact the Law Offices of Mark Sherman today to discuss your options, and review over 300 certified reviews from previous clients by clicking here.