Effects of New York DWI Conviction for a Connecticut Licensed Driver

Sometimes, Connecticut residents who drive in New York get charged with a DWI in New York. If this happens to you, you should be aware of not only the consequences to your New York driving privileges but also of the impact on your Connecticut license. Your Connecticut license could get suspended for a New York DWI / DUI conviction.

Connecticut law on DWI/DUI requires that the Connecticut DMV to suspend a driver's license for 1 year with a first offense conviction, and it will be more if it is not your first offense. The reason that Connecticut can impose its own suspension for an out of state DWI conviction is that requires the DMV to impose a suspension if they are notified under the State Driver's License Compact.

The Connecticut suspension law is found in Connecticut General Statutes 14-227a(g) and it provides that:

(g) Penalties for operation while under the influence. Any person who violates any provision of subsection (a) of this section shall:

For conviction of a 1^st violation,
be fined not less than $500 dollars or more than $1,000 dollars, and
be imprisoned not more than 6 months, 48 consecutive hours of which may not be suspended or reduced in any manner, or
imprisoned not more than 6 months, with the execution of such sentence of imprisonment suspended entirely and a period of probation imposed requiring as a condition of such probation that such person perform 100 hours of community service, and
have such person's motor vehicle operator's license or nonresident operating privilege suspended for one year;

For conviction of a 2^nd violation within 10 years after a prior conviction for the same offense,
be fined not less than $1,000 dollars or more than $4,000 dollars,
be imprisoned not more than 2 years, 120 consecutive days of which may not be suspended or reduced in any manner, and
sentenced to a period of probation requiring as a condition of such probation that such person perform 100 of community service, and
if such person is under 21 years of age at the time of the offense, have such person's motor vehicle operator's license or nonresident operating privilege suspended for three years or until the date of such person's 21^st birthday, whichever is longer, and be prohibited for the 2 year period following completion of such period of suspension from operating a motor vehicle unless such motor vehicle is equipped with a functioning, approved ignition interlock device, or
if such person is 21 years of age or older at the time of the offense, have such person's motor vehicle operator's license or nonresident operating privilege suspended for 1 year and be prohibited for the 2 year period following completion of such period of suspension from operating a motor vehicle unless such motor vehicle is equipped with a functioning, approved ignition interlock device.

For conviction of a 3^rd and subsequent violation within 10 years after a prior conviction for the same offense,
be fined not less than $2,000 dollars or more than $8,000 dollars,
be imprisoned not more than 3 years, 1 year of which may not be suspended or reduced in any manner, and
sentenced to a period of probation requiring as a condition of such probation that such person perform 100 hours of community service, and
have such person's motor vehicle operator's license or nonresident operating privilege permanently revoked upon such third offense.

If you are a Connecticut resident who has been charged with a DWI in New York, you should be aware that there are repercussions on your Connecticut license in your home state in addition to possible suspension of your New York privilege. You should find a qualified New York DWI attorney who can has experience in interstate DMV consequences. Contact us today if you are in such a situation.

NYC DWI Case but You Have a Connecticut License?