Connecticut DUI Penalties: CT DWI Consequences

The penalties that are typically imposed upon a criminal DUI conviction in Connecticut are listed below.

For more information on the civil administrative penalties that also may apply, click on the Connecticut Driving tab.

NOTE: Persons arrested for a Connecticut DUI will also have their vehicle impounded for a mandatory 48 hour period following arrest.

Connecticut DUI / DWI Penalties by Offense Type

DUI FIRST OFFENSE - FINES: mandatory minimum $500-$1,000; JAIL: mandatory 48 consecutive hours-up to 6 months in jail, or probation with 100 hours community service; LICENSE SUSPENSION: one year license suspension; OTHER: possible alcohol education and treatment program and victim impact panel participation

DUI SECOND OFFENSE WITHIN 10 YEARS - FINES: $1,000-$4,000; JAIL: mandatory minimum 120 consecutive days - 2 years in prison; LICENSE SUSPENSION: 3 year suspension or 1 year suspension with 2 year ignition interlock device; OTHER: probation, 100 hours community service, victim impact panel participation, alcohol education and treatment

DUI THIRD OR SUBSEQUENT OFFENSE WITHIN 10 YEARS - FINES: $2,000-$8000; JAIL: mandatory minimum 1 year in jail - up to 3 years in jail; LICENSE SUSPENSION: Permanent license revocation; OTHER: probation, 100 hours community service, alcohol education and treatment, victim impact panel participation,

SECOND DEGREE MANSALUGHTER WITH A MOTOR VEHICLE - FINES: up to $5,000; JAIL: up to 10 years imprisonment; LICENSE SUSPENSION: 1 year suspension

SECOND DEGREE ASSAULT WITH A MOTOR VEHICLE - FINES: up to $5,000; JAIL: 1 - 5 years in prison; LICENSE SUSPENSION: 1 year suspension                          

PRETRIAL ALCOHOL EDUCATION SYSTEM - A person charged with a Connecticut DUI may apply to the court for admission into the Pretrial Alcohol Education System. The application fee is $50 and must be paid by the offender along with a $100 evaluation fee. The right to trial and other constitutional guarantees must be waived in exchange for the program. If the court grants the application, the offender will be evaluated by the Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services (DMHAS). DMHAS will place the offender into an alcohol intervention or substance abuse program. Between 10 and 15 counseling sessions must be completed in an alcohol intervention program. The offender may also be required to attend a victim impact panel. Once the offender completes all conditions of the program he/she may apply to the court for dismissal of the DUI charges. If the court finds all conditions were complied with, the charges must be dismissed.

PERSISTENT DUI OFFENDERS - A person convicted of manslaughter or 2nd degree assault with a motor vehicle who was previously convicted of a DUI related offense within the last 10 years will be classified as a "persistent operating under the influence felony offender." For such persons, the prison sentence may be elevated to a higher degree felony offense. A persistent offender convicted of 2nd degree manslaughter with a motor vehicle may be sentenced to up to 20 years in prison. The maximum prison sentence for a persistent offender convicted of 2nd degree assault with a motor vehicle is 10 years.