How to Find Connecticut DWI Records

An individual can be convicted of a DWI charge when he or she is found guilty of driving a motor vehicle under the influence of alcohol, drugs or other non-permissible intoxicants. A DUI charge is applicable for any kind of vehicle, whether for commercial or personal use. Besides vehicles of road transportation (like cars, trucks, and bikes) one may get charged with DWI crimes in case of vehicles used for waterways and air transportation (like airplane and boat) as well.

The offense can be broadly classified into DUI and DWI. In Connecticut DUI (Driving under Influence) and DWI (Driving while intoxicated) terms are interchangeable. They are identical crimes punished by strict laws of the state.

Reasons for Connecticut DWI Records Search

DUI laws are imposed to check the scope of accidents by a driver with impaired skills due to intoxication. You might be interested in learning about DWI offenders for a personal reason. State DWI records of Connecticut helps in background check of an individual for employment. Moreover, as a resident you can gather information about the criminal background of a person. Often DWI cases have resulted in the death of the victim or caused irreparable damages to life and property.

There are many Connecticut DWI offenders who continue driving even when their license stands suspended. There is also a tendency among many to ignore the necessity of treatment programs related to substance abuse. Connecticut DWI records enlist names of offenders. These state specific records are quite beneficial for people who own a car hire company or who seek driver service for their personal cars. Before seeking help or recruiting a person for employment, it is safe to do a preliminary check of the driving history of the persons concerned.

Procedure of Obtaining DWI Records

Connecticut DWI records are documented for public use and benefit. There are several reliable sites, which provide authentic information about DWI crimes in Connecticut.  Visit http://www.ct.gov/DMV/site/default.asp to learn more about them. You can search for driving violation records or you can streamline your search on basis of specific criteria.

Requesting for your own driving records is permissible under the laws of Connecticut. The specified request form can be downloaded from the official website http://www.dmvct.state.ct.us/J23FORM.HTM . The completed form along with a couple of identity cards and the requisite fee of $20 has to be mailed to the Department of Motor Vehicles, Copy Records Unit, 60 State St., Wethersfield, CT 06161. It is possible to receive the certified copy of your own driving record by mail within two weeks. You can also receive the record in person by submitting the documents at the department.

Connecticut DWI Laws and Penalties

The Connecticut DWI offenders face two cases: one is the court case and the other is Connecticut DMV hearing case. In the first case, the accused is slapped with penalties  and in the latter case the license of the driver is suspended. The triggering of two simultaneous cases is similar to that of New York and Minnesota.

Connecticut DWI laws are based on two theories. DWI law in Connecticut states that it is illegal to operate a motor vehicle in a physical state under the influence of alcohol or drugs or under the influence of both.  For this particular theory there is no specified BAC (alcohol content in blood) limit. The inebriated or impaired state of the driver is sufficient for the prosecution of charges. The second theory is impairment that is reflected through chemical tests, field sobriety test and driving pattern. The laws pertaining to suspension of driver’s license offers a restricted time for hearing. If you do not defend the case within seven days of receipt of DMV notice your license and driving privileges will be snatched away. A notice of suspension is generally forwarded; it is your duty to contact the Administrative Per Se Unit before the final date of hearing.

It is to be noted that Connecticut DWI law may prosecute an individual on the basis of his blood alcohol level too. Driving with blood alcohol level exceeding 0.08% is considered a crime in Connecticut. For minors below the age of 21 the limit is even lower (BAC level of 0.02% is enough to lay charges). Law also states that the arrested individual has to subject himself to a blood test for the determination of blood alcohol content. If the individual does not undertake the test, his driving license will be suspended for a period of 6 months.

Another important feature of Connecticut DWI law is ten year look-back period. You might have a previous history of DWI conviction but any DWI offense after a lapse of ten years is treated as a first time DWI offense or crime.

Penalty for Connecticut DWI offense usually results in imprisonment, fine imposition and driver’s license suspension. You can be put behind bars for a minimum period of 6 months to a maximum period of 3 years. The fine ranges from $500 to $8000 based on the nature of the offense.