G.A.22 MILFORD. The Superior Court at MILFORD, home of Geographical Area 22 QUESTIONS...ANSWERED COURTHOUSE GUIDE MEET OUR TEAM

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1 The Superior Court at MILFORD, home of Geographical Area 22 G.A.22 MILFORD MEET OUR TEAM Having'confidence'in'your' legal'defense'team'is'the' first'step'in'getting'beyond' this'situation'you'are'in.'' Our'team'is'highly'trained' :'find'out'more'about' them'in'this'handout. QUESTIONS...ANSWERED When'facing'a'DUI'you' wind'up'with'questions' you'never'thought'you' would'have':'and'you'need' answers'quickly.''our' packet'answers'the'top' questions'asked'by'people' who'call'us. COURTHOUSE GUIDE The'inside'information'you' need'to'know'when'having'a' case'pending'in'ga'18

2 OUR TEAM Krista Anroman Krista leads the paralegal team Andrea Masso Andrea handles all billing and routine correspondence from the Shelton office I m Jenn, and Nicole and I are the new client liaisons for Ruane Attorneys. This packet is designed to give you some information about our firm, but, more importantly, some general information about the charge of DUI that you are now facing and the courthouse where your case will be heard. Our goal here at Ruane Attorneys is simple - we want to give you as much information about the DUI charge in Connecticut as possible. Equipping you with the knowledge you will need to successfully go through this process is my job. Our belief after 20+ years of practice is that an informed client is the best client to have. I am here to help and I am only a phone call or away. No question is too silly, no concern too small. Call me anytime. Telephone: Telephone: Nicole Pelletier Nicole is our DMV paralegal and is the smiling face who runs our Wethersfield office I love helping people. Its the best part of my job

3 CAN YOU DRIVE? A DUI CHARGE CARRIES LASTING DRIVING PENALTIES-EVEN IF THE COURT FINDS YOU INNOCENT Determine if you are permitted to drive BEFORE you get in the car Driving is considered a Until your DMV hearing or privilege, not a right. As a until the date outlined in result, the Department of the DMV notice, you are Motor Vehicles (DMV) can permitted to drive. take away your privilege to However, once your drive very easily. About 2-3 license is suspended, it is weeks after you are important that you DO charged with a DUI, you NOT drive until the will receive a notice from suspension period is over the DMV. This notice will and you have applied for outline your suspension the reinstatement of your and the day when your license. suspension begins. Once you receive this notice, you Many times, the DMV have 7 days to request a suspension will occur DMV suspension hearing, before you even go to in which you can attempt court for your DUI case. to fight the suspension. Even if you are found not You MUST request a guilty of a DUI, the DMV hearing within 7 days suspension will stand after receiving the DMV unless it is lifted during suspension, or the your DMV hearing. Keep in suspension will mind that a refusal to automatically take place. submit a blood, breath, or urine test will trigger an automatic suspension of your license. It is in your best interest to fight the suspension during the DMV hearing. Even though it is hard to get the DMV to lift a suspension, it has been done and it might be done in your case. If you can t lift the suspension, you can apply for a work or education permit that allows you to drive to and from work or school. If getting a work permit is not possible, be proactive and prepare for how you will get to work and important events in the coming months. You CANNOT drive until the suspension period on your license is over AND you have received a restoration letter from the DMV. You must apply for this letter by mail by sending required documents and the fee for reinstating your license to: Connecticut Department of Motor Vehicles Driver Services Division 60 State Street Wethersfield, CT It can take up to 10 days for the DMV to process your request

4 WHERE IS MY CAR? IN SOME CASES THE STATE MAY TOW YOUR CAR AFTER A DUI Learn how to get it back In the state of Connecticut, if you are charged with committing a DUI, you might have your vehicle impounded on the spot. This might occur in order to prevent you from driving home while under the influence, in the even that you cannot find someone to drive your vehicle home. Immediately following a DUI charge, the police can have your car towed in order to prevent you from driving home while intoxicated. However, in some cases, a police officer will allow another passenger in the car that has not been drinking to drive your car home. In DUI cases, a police officer will generally use his or her discretion when determining if your car should be towed or not. In the state of Connecticut, vehicle confiscation is not a penalty associated with a DUI. This means that your car might be towed on the night that you are pulled over for drinking and driving, but you will not lose your car for an extended period of time. Your vehicle can be impounded until the next business day, but after that you will be allowed to get your vehicle. If you have difficulty recovering your vehicle after it is towed, your lawyer can help you get it back. In Connecticut, if you are found guilty of a DUI, your license will be suspended. This means that you will not be able to drive your car, however, your car will not be confiscated by the state. In some other states, DUI offenders can have their cars confiscated in order to further punish DUI offenders and ensure that they do not drive while their license is suspended. Sometimes, other states impose this punishment on second or third DUI offenders. However, this is not something that you have to worry about in the state of Connecticut. Connecticut considers this to be an excessive punishment and therefore does not insist on confiscating a DUI offender s vehicle. Keep in mind that just because you still have access to your car does not mean that you should drive it! If you are caught driving with a suspended license, you could face further penalties including a longer suspension of your license and jail time.

5 THE COURTHOUSE G.A. 22 AT MILFORD 14 W RIVER ST, MILFORD CT DIRECTIONS TO THE COURTHOUSE From I-95 North (West Haven, New Haven): Take Exit 39A (Milford/West) Stay on U.S. 1 / Boston Post Road. At the third light take a left onto North Street. At the second stop sign (end of North Street ) take a right onto West Main Street Proceed about 100 feet and take your first left onto West River Street. Go down West River Street, courthouse is first building on your right after driveway (Constitution Drive). From I-95 South (Stratford, Bridgeport): Take Exit 39A (Milford/West) Take right onto U.S. 1 / Boston Post Road At the second light take a left onto North Street. At the second stop sign (end of North Street ) take a right onto West Main Street Proceed about 100 feet and take your first left onto West River Street. Go down West River Street, courthouse is first building on your right after driveway (Constitution Drive). From Wilbur Cross Parkway/Merritt Parkway, North (Orange, New Haven) Take Exit 54 - immediately before Sikorsky Bridge (I-95/Milford Connector) Follow to the end of the connector to U.S. 1-N Turn right onto U.S. 1-N / Boston Post Road. At the second light turn Right onto North Street At the end of north street take a right at the stop sign onto West Main Street Proceed about 100 feet and take your first left onto West River Street. Go down West River Street, courthouse is first building on your right after driveway (Constitution Drive). From Merritt Parkway, South (Bridgeport, Stratford) Take Exit 54 - immediately after Sikorsky Bridge (I-95/Milford Connector) Follow to the end of the connector to U.S. 1-N Turn right onto U.S. 1-N / Boston Post Road. At the second light turn Right onto North Street At the end of north street take a right at the stop sign onto West Main Street Proceed about 100 feet and take your first left onto West River Street. Go down West River Street, courthouse is first building on your right after driveway (Constitution Drive). Many people want to ignore their DUI because they are embarrassed or ashamed, but the right way to deal with a DUI case is to hire a skilled lawyer to take on those problems so YOU don t have to deal with them.

6 AT THE COURTHOUSE MOST DUI OFFENDERS HAVE NEVER BEEN IN TROUBLE BEFORE Your court hearing can be cause for a lot of stress and uncertainty, but it doesn t have to be. So long as you have prepared for your court date and have an accomplished DUI lawyer by your side, you will do just fine. To help you feel more confident about your court hearing, you should dress and act appropriately. Here are some tips to help you do so. Dressing for court 1. You d rather be overdressed than underdressed. You should always wear your best clothes to court. For men, this generally means a full suit, dress socks, and dress shoes. Ladies should wear a nice dress or suit with modest heels. 2. Go conservative. The judge and jury don t want to see flashy or poorly kept clothes. Make sure that you wear clothing that fits you properly. For guys, this means a suit that isn t too baggy or short. For girls, this means clothes that aren t too tight fitting or revealing. 3. Personal grooming. To keep with your conservative clothing, you should also make sure that your personal grooming is conservative. Men make sure that you shave before your court date. You should also get a short haircut that is well maintained. Ladies your make-up should be subtle and neutral. You don t want to draw a lot of attention to yourself because of your makeup in court, this is negative attention. 4. Jewelry. By now you should see a pattern emerging GO CONSERVATIVE. If you have piercings, take them out. If this isn t possible, make sure you only have small studs visible. Women should just wear a simple necklace or a watch no loud, big jewelry. You also want to avoid wearing jewelry that will associate you with an organization. For example, leave class rings, sorority or fraternity pins at home. This kind of jewelry could bias the judge or jury. Acting in Court 1. Be respectful. This is the golden rule of courtroom etiquette. You want to show the judge presiding over your case that you take your actions and charges seriously. If you re goofing off, a judge will never believe that you re serious. So, always make sure that you address the judge respectfully, make sure that you rise when he or she enters the room and wait to be seated until he or she is, and don t make jokes about the case. 2. Be on time. A great way to make a good first impression is to arrive at the courthouse promptly. To really be on time and prepared, you should try to get to the courthouse 10 minutes early. This will give you time to find parking, find the room you re supposed to be in, and collect yourself before the hearing. 3. Be focused. Even when you are not testifying, you need to stay focused on what is happening during the court proceedings. If a judge sees you playing on your phone, reading a book, listening to music, doing personal work, etc. it will be viewed as highly inappropriate and disrespectful. Do yourself a favor and don t bring your laptop or personal work, and turn your phone OFF during the hearing.

7 THE PROSECUTOR THE PROSECUTOR IS PAID BY THE STATE TO BE YOUR ENEMY Even if jail isn t in the cards, there are a lifetime of consequences to be aware of and minimize whenever possible. When the police suspect that criminal activity has taken place, it is the responsibility of the government to investigate a case. This is done through a prosecutor, who acts on the government s behalf in bringing charges against a defendant in court. The prosecutor in your case will present the government s case against you in court. This means that you (and your attorney) and the prosecutor will be opponents in the courtroom and present different cases the prosecutor supporting the charges, and you refuting them. Pursuing DUI cases In many cases, a prosecutor will be referred to a case by the arresting police officer. A prosecutor will then determine if he or she wants to pursue the case or not. The three major factors that a prosecutor will consider when deciding to pursue a case are: What policy considerations are related to the case If the case can be proven If the case is or is not legally sound In Connecticut, the law states a prosecutor cannot drop a DUI case without a good reason stated in open court. A prosecutor also has the responsibility to serve justice. This means taking into account the circumstances of your case and determining the best course of action as a result. This is why sometimes a defendant will be enrolled in a diversion program instead of having to go to trial. The prosecutor doesn t care about protecting your rights or helping you through this difficult situation. He will do everything in his power to make sure that you are convicted of a DUI. It is oftentimes up to the defense attorney to suggest alternatives to trial or jail and prove why they are appropriate. This is why you need a lawyer who can fight back for you and protect your rights

8 THE JUDGE THERE TO MAKE SURE THE PROCESS IS FAIR - NOT TO PROTECT YOU Even if jail isn t in the cards, there are a lifetime of consequences to be aware of and minimize whenever possible. In the state of Connecticut, DUI charges are taken very seriously. This state has some of the strictest penalties for DUI offenders, and judges tend to be tough when it comes to DUI cases. For this reason, it is very important that you prove to the judge that you take your case seriously. Rude behavior, showing up late, and dressing inappropriately will only make a bad impression on a judge and will make your case harder to win. Here are some ways in which you can make a good impression on the judge during your court hearing. 1. Be prepared. Know the facts of your case. Know your defense strategy. Work with your lawyer to create the best defense possible and prove to the judge that you are invested in your case. 2. Be on time. Leave yourself plenty of time to account for traffic on the highway, getting lost (it happens when you re going to a new place!), parking, and finding the right courtroom. It is far better to be early and wait around for a bit than to make the judge wait for you and appear flustered when you finally do arrive. 3. Don t break any more laws. You d be surprised how many clients actually drive to court on a suspended license. A judge will not look favorably on an action like this. Make sure that you follow the stipulations of the DUI charge and don t break any new laws. 4. Be genuine. It is important to be respectful, but if you re putting on an act, the judge will be able to tell. Make sure you seriously reflect about your case and honestly express yourself in the courtroom. 5. Dress appropriately. The truth of the matter is that most of us judge people based on their appearance. Make sure that you are dressed conservatively and formally for your court date this will help you make a good impression on the judge. Because judges in Connecticut take DUI cases so seriously, you need to make sure that someone is there to represent your rights. Your defense lawyer is this person. Your lawyer can give you tips on how to approach the judge and make a good impression, another great asset of having an attorney by your side.

9 DMV ISSUES AFTER A DUI Quick Tip If the lawyer you are talking to tells you that DMV hearings cannot be won get away from that lawyer right away. Facing months without a license is very troubling for most people Because this is your very first DUI offense, you are facing a administrative suspension in addition to your criminal court case. When you are arrested, the DMV requires that the police send a report to them about your decision to submit to a breath test and the results or a refusal of a chemical test. They use this form to send you a suspension notice. This notice usually comes in the 2nd or 3rd week after your arrest. The DMV has very tight deadlines, and the burden is on you (or your lawyer) to The DMV Is the MOST Important part for people like you. properly request a hearing within the 7 day timeframe so that you can have a administrative suspension hearing. It is at that hearing that the burden is on you to overturn a presumed suspension. Unlike at court, the DMV treats you as GUILTY until proven innocent by yourself. The ways to win these hearings are limited - but THEY CAN BE WON. Many lawyers tell clients to avoid the DMV, but we have found that by showing up, sometimes you find ways to win that didn t seem possible at first. DUI TIMELINE WEEK 1 WEEK 2 WEEK 3 WEEK 4 Hire a Lawyer Arraignment DMV Notice DMV Hearing Use this time to contact, research, and hire an attorney you trust Your first appearance triggers many legal requirements Expect your DMV suspension notice this week - and don t forget to schedule your hearing This week will usually conclude your DMV hearing and decide the fate of your license

10 3 CORE VALUES to measure any DUI defense lawyer Nobody expects to need a DUI lawyer, so how do you judge who is the best for you when you have no idea where to start? Attention to Detail This is perhaps the hardest to measure with limited exposure to lawyers, but there are some telltale signs for a lawyer who may be better than another. Look to see how much continuing legal education they have had in the area of DUI defense. Connecticut doesn t require lawyers to continue to stay up-to-date on the new areas of the law. In fact, some lawyers haven t learned a new thing since law school. If a lawyer pays attention to details, he or she will attend as many continuing education seminars as possible. By learning new things, it shows they are committed to their career, and want to be a better lawyer. If they attend multiple seminars a year - or they present at them - all the better. They are near the top of their game. Advocacy This can be measured by reading reviews of the lawyers and asking them for references. While most lawyers cannot give you the names of prior clients due to confidentiality - you can get feedback on the lawyer from OTHER lawyers. No lawyer should be ashamed of their professional reputation. Ask friends who may have lawyers who don t practice criminal defense to research who is the go-to lawyer in the DUI defense community. Ask the lawyer about their trials, and their appeals in the area of DUI defense, and ask them to talk about the major case law and ways they handle cross examination - all are fair game for the legal consumer and issues you should be concerned about. Accessibility You can t have confidence in a lawyer that you don t get to talk to and who doesn t communicate. Check with them to see how they handle routine calls and their approach to emergency situations. See if you can them or if you always go to voic if you call. Accessibility and communication issues are one of the largest number of bar complaints filed each year against lawyers. Ask the lawyer about his history of bar complaints - and research why online. If the lawyer has a history of no communication, you might be more stressed about this situation and nobody needs that! the 3 A s - Attention, Advocacy, Accessibility

11 DUI PENALTIES Spend money on a defense or throw yourself on the mercy of the court? Sometimes it feels like you are stuck between a rock and a hard place A FIRST DUI ISN T SOMETHING TO TAKE LIGHTLY Even if jail isn t in the cards, there are a lifetime of consequences to be aware of and minimize whenever possible. The number one question we get at Ruane Attorneys from people like you is simple: Am I going to jail? For people in your situation have found that not a single client of ours who is facing a first offense DUI and has no prior convictions has ever been sentenced to jail time. So the answer is simply: No. This is important, because many lawyers use the jail time threat as a way to scare clients into hiring them and use that as a mechanism to encourage a client to plead guilty. They do this by telling the client that they can guarantee a certain resolution in their office at the initial consultation. This resolution often involves alcohol counseling, or perhaps some community service and a fine. The maximum for a first offense is rarely imposed. The law provides that the maximum jail time on a first DUI is 6 months in jail, with a $1000 fine. If you wish to go without a lawyer, many times the state will offer you to plead guilty to the minimum, which includes either 100 hours of community service or 48 hours in jail and a period of probation with a driver s license suspension. If this is good enough for you, you may not need to spend any money on a lawyer. We have found, however, that our clients rarely plead guilty to a first offense DUI. Many people want to ignore their DUI because they are embarrassed or ashamed, but the right way to deal with a DUI case is to hire a skilled lawyer to take on those problems so YOU don t have to deal with them.

12 CONNECTICUT COURT SYSTEM DUI PENALTY CHART Conviction Prison Sentence** Fine License Suspension (Starting January 1, 2012)* First Second (Under Age 21) Second (Age 21 or older) Third and Subsequent Either (a) up to six months with a mandatory minimum of two days or (b) up to six months suspended with probation requiring 100 hours of community service Up to two years, with a mandatory minimum of 120 consecutive days and probation with 100 hours community service Up to two years, with a mandatory minimum of 120 consecutive days and probation with 100 hours community service Up to three years, with mandatory minimum of one year and probation with 100 hours community service $500- $1, days, followed by one year driving only a vehicle equipped with an ignition interlock $1,000- $4, days or until age 21, whichever is longer, followed by three years of driving only a vehicle equipped with an ignition interlock $1,000- $4, days, followed by three years of driving only a vehicle equipped with an ignition interlock $2,000- $8,000 Permanent Revocation (Eligible for reinstatement after six years. If reinstated, must drive only interlock-equipped vehicles for 10 years from date of reinstatement. Image provided by:

13 CONNECTICUT DMV DUI RELATED SUSPENSION IS 45 DAYS FOR ALL OFFENSES AS OF JULY 1ST 2015 IGNITION INTERLOCK DEVICE REQUIRED FOR TIME PERIODS AS FOLLOWS Drivers under the age of 21 Arrest/Submittal First Offense Second Offense Third Offense Refusal to the Test OR BAC over.02 1 year 2 years 3 years Drivers age 21 and older Arrest/Submittal First Offense Second Offense Third Offense Refusal of the Test 6 months 1 year 2 years Failed Test 1 year 2 years 3 years Charts'provided'by':'

14 RUANE ATTORNEYS NEW CLIENT PACKET I m proud of our rating by former clients and of all the awards and accolades we have been given over the years. It is an outward sign of the excellence we strive for daily. White Collar, Blue Collar or No Collar Jay Ruane fights for his clients I started in DUI defense in 1998, shortly after becoming a lawyer. I was a part time public defender at the time, going from courthouse to courthouse filling in for full time lawyers who were sick, or on maternity leave or some other long term absence from the job. Being the lowest on the totem pole meant they gave me the cases that the head of the office felt were unwinnable. But I had the energy of a new lawyer and the desire to succeed, so I threw myself into learning all about these unwinnable DUI cases I was handed. While this was my day-to-day life, I also had a few friends who unfortunately were arrested for DUI around this time. I was the only lawyer they knew, and being in our 20 s, nobody had much money to afford the high priced lawyers, so they called me. I already knew that there were defenses to DUI and since my day clients needed me to learn this, and now my friends did, I went to the law library every day and checked out every journal article on DUI I could find. Some of the books I found had never even been opened. Around this time the internet began to offer information about DUI, so I was able to continue my research at night. I was determined to know more about DUI than any other lawyer in the state. After a few years of non stop work I looked up and found I had morphed into a full time DUI defense lawyer - focusing on the toughest cases and getting great results. I give all my attention to learn and fight for my clients - all because they started as my friends.

15 THE PROCESS OF GOING TO COURT THE UNKNOWN IS SCARY FIGURE OUT WHAT YOU ARE UP AGAINST WHEN IT COMES TO YOUR COURT DATE Depending on your personal situation, you might have one or more than one court dates. In some cases, a defendant will be held in a jail cell overnight following his arrest for DUI. If you are held in a cell, you will have to attend an arraignment in which a judge will determine if you can be released on your own recognizance (meaning you don t have to pay to leave), or if bail or bond is necessary for your release from jail. Unless there are extenuating circumstances in your case, such as the injury of another person, severe property damage, or an exceptionally high BAC (generally over.12), you may not have to pay a bond to be released from jail. Upon your release, you will be notified of your next court date. It is very important that you make note of this court date and plan accordingly. You MUST show up at the courthouse for your court hearing, or you can be charged with failure to appear in court, which is a very serious charge. Before your court date, you need to be proactive in deciding how you will defend yourself in court. Now is the time to think about hiring a lawyer or building a defense on your own. Keep in mind that someone out there (the prosecutor in your case) is building a case AGAINST you. When you go to court, you need to be prepared to address the case made by the prosecutor and prove your innocence. In court, you and/or your lawyer will be given the opportunity to prove why you are innocent of driving under the influence. In order to do this, you should think about how you will refute: The breath/urine/blood test results The standardized field sobriety test results Police officer testimony Once the prosecutor and the defense have been given time to make their cases, the judge or jury will determine your guilt or innocence. Make sure you check out the DUI penalties chart in this handout to see what kind of penalties you are up against if you are found guilty.

16 FREQUENTLY ASKED DUI QUESTIONS What are the penalties I m facing? There are 2 sets of penalties for a DUI arrest. The first come from the DMV. They suspend your driver s license for certain periods if you fail or refuse a breath test. If this is your first offense and your breath test was , your license suspension is 90 days. If your test results were above 0.16, you are facing a 120 day suspension. If you refused you are facing 6 months without a license. They go up if this is not your first offense. The criminal penalties are just as harsh. Although there is no mandatory jail for a first offense (you can opt to do 100 hours of community service) you will wind up with a criminal record and probation. Do I need a lawyer? Unlike medical doctors, who often have one area of medicine that they handle, lawyers are allowed to handle any type of case that comes into their office, provided that they know something about it or commit themselves to learning during the representation. This means that the lawyer you choose may not have handled many DUI cases, or may be learning as he or she goes. Many criminal defense lawyers believe DUI are the most complicated of criminal cases. Many lawyers who handle other types of cases see DUI cases as the easiest, because they see them as unwinnable and give up before they even start. DUI cases involve subjective observations by officers, chemical and toxicological concepts and human physiology. A client needs a lawyer, but more importantly a DUI lawyer who can truly defend the case well. How can they just take my license? I pay my taxes! The truth is that the state laws are changed every year to make it easier for the DMV to take away your license. In fact, when you are arrested for a DUI, the DMV treats you as guilty until proven innocent. This is because driving is not a right but a privilege. The state can take away privileges very easily. The DMV DWI? does not care about how you get to work or your commitments. The prosecutor does not care. As far as they are concerned, those are your problems and not theirs. However, there are provisions for special licenses for school or work that you may qualify for. What is the difference between DUI and These terms are all acronyms that refer to the offense commonly known as "drunk driving." Different states have different names for the crime. For example, in New York and New Jersey the charge is known as DWI. Connecticut law uses the term driving / operating under the influence or DUI. For the purposes you will deal with

17 FREQUENTLY ASKED DUI QUESTIONS The Officer never read me my Miranda rights - do I win my case? No. The officer is supposed to give a 5th Amendment warning after he arrests you. Often, however, he or she does not. In this case, the only consequence is that the prosecution cannot use any of your answers to questions asked by the police after the arrest. What about plea bargains? Plea bargaining and charge reduction are two areas that any experienced Connecticut DUI lawyer would discuss with the prosecutor on the client's behalf. The DUI statute specifically states that a prosecutor cannot reduce or nolle a DUI case without a statement on the record as to the reasons for such. That is one reason why you need a lawyer who knows a lot about DUI defense - so they know what angles to use to get the best negotiated result. Is a DUI in Connecticut a misdemeanor or felony charge? In Connecticut, a DUI is usually a misdemeanor crime. However, if you have one prior DUI convictions in the past 10 years the subsequent DUI conviction is a felony offense. What happens if I get caught driving while my license is suspended / revoked? Driving while your license is suspended should be avoided as it is a new crime. If you drive while your license is suspended for a DUI conviction, you will face a fine ranging from $500 - $1000 and jail time of 30 days or more. The amount of jail time imposed varies depending on if you have prior DUI convictions or prior operating under suspension charges. What is the Alcohol Education Program (AEP)? This is a diversionary program that results in the Criminal Drunk Driving Charge being dismissed provided you qualify for the program and complete the course you are offered. It does not resolve the DMV suspension you are facing. Getting the AEP program is not automatic. If you have never been convicted of the crime of driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs, in Connecticut, or any other state, and you have not had the AEP in Connecticut or any other state within the past 10 years, you technically qualify for this program. Then the Adult Probation Department will check your criminal and driver history to verify the accuracy of your answers. Remember, when you respond to the Judge's questions you are answering under the penalty of perjury. Some attorneys will tell you that if your conviction for a drunk driving offense is over 10 years old, that you qualify for the AEP program. This is not accurate. If you have a conviction for drunk driving, at any point, then you do not qualify for the AEP. A lawyer can help you determine if this is a good option for you if you qualify. Does a DUI put points on my license? Unlike other motor vehicle offenses, a DUI doesn t automatically add points to your license. A DUI suspension, however, can be complicated by prior points because it could impact your ability to qualify for a special operators permit. If you were pulled over for something in addition to the DUI, you might suffer points if you plead guilty to a points eligible offense. Am I going to jail? Our job at Ruane Attorneys is to make sure that this doesn t happen. For a first offense DUI in Connecticut is it very very rare that jail time would happen. Something would have to go seriously wrong, like a new arrest, for this to occur.

18 RUANE ATTORNEYS NEW CLIENT PACKET Cases are won in the office more than the courtroom. Jim Ruane has been practicing criminal defense since 1977 in Connecticut, and has seen the growing phenomenon of general practice lawyers taking criminal cases - usually to the detriment of their clients. Criminal cases present special considerations - legal issues like suppression, factual investigations, and unless you are doing it full time, it is hard to stay abreast of the law and technique necessary for the best representation of a client. says Ruane, and he should know it - Ruane has handled some of the state s toughest criminal defense cases on his way to a special concentration in DUI defense. Ruane spent the better part of his early career as a death penalty specialist, with national certification and an unblemished record of success against the death penalty. After joining his son in the new practice he began to find DUI cases intriguing. I had always handled a DUI case every now and then, but not with the concentration that my son Jay took towards them. As I watched him study the science of DUI and all the issues we could raise, I wanted to be a part of it. Teresa DiNARDI Jim s interest in DUI led him to a 5 year challenge of the DUI law and the definition of breath - leading to argument in the Connecticut Supreme Court and a change in the breath testing regulations by the State Police Toxicology laboratory. They knew and I knew that the way the law was written in Connecticut Hartford s undisputed Leader in DUI Defense!!!!!!!Growing up the daughter of a Newington Police officer taught Teresa some interesting lessons. I heard all the stories, and learned that there are good cops, and unfortunately, there are cops who don t honor the constitutional rights they swore to protect. But growing up in a household lead by one of the good cops taught Teresa other lessons too, lessons in how to pay attention to the details of a case, to looks for all the explanations of behavior and never give up on a case until you have put in the time to look at everything. Since joining the firm in 2006, Teresa has developed a reputation in the greater Hartford area to be a go-to DUI lawyer, I am most comfortable in a courtroom. I know exactly what will happen, I have prepared for every situation, and I often know more about the case than anyone else involved, be it the police, the prosecutor, and sometimes even the client. My life s calling is to defend people. Jim Ruane was putting innocent people in jeopardy, and something needed to be done. Jim has continued to handle his DUI cases with trials in nearly every courthouse in the state, but for him the best cases are the ones you resolve without trial - when there is no fanfare, but you save the livelihood of a client. often consulted by local lawyers with less experience in DUI and serving as a mentor to the associates of Ruane Attorneys. Teresa has also been recognized by her peers. In 2010 The Connecticut Law Tribune selected the top 100 women attorneys in Connecticut and Teresa was one of only 3 female criminal defense attorneys who was selected for the list, and the only lawyer who concentrates on DUI defense. By focusing her practice on pretrial resolutions of DUI cases, Teresa has been able to negotiate deals in cases when other lawyers have passed on the case. After hearing so many happy stories from clients who told her that another lawyer claimed that there was no hope in their case Teresa often tells them hope isn t a strategy when dealing with a DUI, but calling me is. Teresa is based in our Wethersfield office.

19 History of OUR FIRM Ruane Attorneys opened its doors in 2001, but its history goes back much further. Attorney Jim Ruane, the first lawyer Board Certified in Criminal Law in Fairfield County, left a prominent Bridgeport firm in 1991, to begin his solo practice dedicated to full time criminal defense. For the next decade, his reputation for nothing short of everything on behalf of his clientele earned him accolades from the criminal defense community and the respect of judges and prosecutors. In 2000, Jay Ruane left the office of the Public Defender after developing a reputation for DUI defense, and soon Ruane Attorneys was born. The firm grew, adding Teresa DiNardi in 2006 who now leads the Hartford office and Ruane Attorneys has developed a statewide reputation for excellence in DUI defense based on its core values: attention to detail, advocacy, and availability Inset: The Connecticut Supreme Court, Hartford

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