How to Access Connecticut DUI Records

Connecticut has strict laws regarding DUI. Trying to drive a vehicle after consuming alcohol or drugs is a criminal offense and can attract severe penalties in the form of suspension of   driver’s license, steep fines and mandatory sentencing. Under Connecticut State laws an individual is considered to be legally intoxicated if his blood alcohol concentration (BAC) exceeds the limit of 0.08. In addition, if the person is less than 21 years then a BAC of 0.02 or above will constitute a DUI offense.

A DUI offense in Connecticut can also be prosecuted without the blood alcohol concentration test results of an individual. The reason for a DUI arrest depends on whether the individual’s ability to drive has been impaired or not. Additionally, under the Implied Consent Law in Connecticut State, any individual that drives a motor vehicle requires to give his or her permission to be tested for BAC. Connecticut has enacted these strong laws to discourage the public from driving under the influence.

When an individual is arrested for a DUI offense in Connecticut State, he/she will be detained and read his rights by the State Police.  The offender will have to submit to a BAC test. If the BAC test registers a level that is 0.08 or greater, then the individual would be considered legally intoxicated. The motor vehicle used by the offender will be towed at his or her expense and the offender shall be held in the lock up until he/she has been bailed out.

Connecticut DUI Records

A DUI offense normally remains on record permanently especially when it involves vehicular homicide or felonies of a serious nature. The driving record of an individual normally contains all instances of DUI or drunk driving. This holds true for almost all states across the USA including the state of Connecticut. These records are usually maintained by the Connecticut Department of Motor Vehicles. Connecticut DUI records also form a part of the criminal records specially when the driver was involved in an accident or had caused grievous bodily harm to the victim.

The Connecticut DUI records can be requested by contacting the clerks of the local courts. Both criminal as well as the motor vehicles record has to be made in writing and submitted to the court having jurisdiction over the area of arrest. The name along with the date of birth and the date of arrest is essential for requesting a DUI record in the state of Connecticut. The disposition date should also be provided in case it is known. The search for Connecticut DUI records is not always exhaustive as it is limited to the database of the local courthouse only.

Searching for Connecticut Criminal and Motor Vehicle Cases

The DUI cases heard throughout the State of Connecticut can be viewed by logging in to the official resource of the State of Connecticut, Judicial Branch at http://www.jud.ct.gov/crim.htm. All the records are displayed for ten years from the date of the actual conviction. However, the period may be even shorter for certain cases as per Sections 7 – 13 of the Connecticut Practice Book. A search through the database of the State Judicial branch will not return the cases where an individual was fined for non appearance in court or where the bail amount was forfeited. Cases involving a minor are not normally included in the public records in accordance with the laws of the State. Although the criminal history records are updated on a regular basis, the daily instances of pardons, corrections as well as releases makes it impossible for the department to vouch for the authenticity of the criminal history records.

Obtaining the Connecticut Driving Records

The state of Connecticut permits the citizens of the state to obtain their own driving records from the Department of motor vehicles.  All Connecticut DUI offenses are listed within the driving records including the suspension or revocation of the driving license due to a DUI conviction. The records can be requested by making the request on a specified form which can be easily downloaded from http://www.dmvct.state.ct.us/J23FORM.HTM.  The completed form along with the a couple of copies of the identity card as well as the requisite fee of $20 is required to be sent to the department at the Driver Services Division, 60 State Street, Wethersfield, CT -06161-2525. Inquiries can also be made over the telephone at 860-263-5720.

Erase DUI Records

Connecticut DUI charges against an individual can be dismissed if the concerned individual completes the pretrial alcohol education program successfully. The local court reviews the case once again after checking the evidence provided by the court support services division. All law enforcement records along with the court room records are erased completely once the convicted individual is absolved of his guilt.