In almost every domestic violence case in Connecticut, the court will issue an order of protection. This criminal protective order will state exactly what the person named in the order can and cannot do. If you violate the protective order, you could be charged with a felony offense. A criminal violation of a protective order is classified as a Class C or Class D felony. If convicted, you may be sentenced to anywhere from 1 to 10 years in prison.  In addition, you will pay a large fine and face collateral consequences like loss of your right to bear arms. At the Sills Law Firm, we represe ..read more

In the United States, Americans have a constitutional right to bear arms. That right is not without certain restrictions, however. If you violate existing federal or state gun laws, you may be facing weapons charges. Weapons crimes are not something the state of Connecticut handles lightly. Most weapons charges are felonies, accompanied by substantial fines and lengthy prison terms if you are convicted. Below are some of the penalties you may face for various weapons crimes. If you have been charged with a gun charge, the Sills Law Firm will fight for your rights. We are fierce advocates for o ..read more

For many people in Connecticut, it may come as a surprise that you can be charged with a crime for doing something that “impairs the morals” of your child. Yet in certain situations, you could be charged with a felony offense if you are considered to be endangering your child’s welfare in some way. The crime of risk of injury to a child is broad, covering child endangerment and neglect cases as well as sexual contact with a minor and selling children. Most often, it is charged when parents or caregivers do something that could put a child at risk physically or emotionally – such as by leaving ..read more

Connecticut takes a hard stance against drunk driving. For those facing a DUI charge for the first time, the process can be worrying enough, but a second DUI offense raises the stakes even higher. Since it is seen as evidence of risky behavior, it invites harsher penalties, including fines, license suspension, and at least 120 days of jail time. In fact, avoiding jail for a second DUI is practically impossible, as the state enforces mandatory minimum sentencing. This means that the court cannot suspend or reduce the sentence in any way. Understanding the full scope of potential consequences is ..read more

Being arrested for a DUI/OUI in Connecticut carries significant negative consequences. A first-time conviction alone can lead to a maximum jail sentence of six months (with a mandatory minimum of two days), a fine of up to $1,000, and a minimum six-month suspension of your driver’s license. Moreover, it results in a permanent criminal record, creating obstacles in securing employment, applying to colleges, finding housing, and seizing life’s opportunities.  Fortunately, it may be possible to negotiate a DUI charge down to a ‘wet reckless’ offense. In this blog, the DUI defense attorneys a ..read more

Picture this scenario: after happy hour with some colleagues, you hop in your car to head home. The next thing you know, you see flashing lights in your rearview mirror. You’re ultimately arrested and charged with driving under the influence (DUI). In Connecticut, even a first-offense DUI is considered a serious crime. If you are convicted, you could face up to 6 months in jail, a $500 to $1,000 fine, a license suspension, and a requirement to install an ignition interlock device (IID) in your vehicle. Fortunately, there are a number of possible defenses that a Connecticut DUI attorney can use ..read more

In the United States, more than one million individuals were arrested for driving under the influence in 2014. While there’s nothing wrong with having a few drinks, getting behind the wheel of a car with a high blood alcohol content (BAC) increases your risk of injury or death. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) estimated 1/3 of first-time convicted drunk drivers commit the same crime later. This statistic isn’t surprising, considering alcohol often impairs judgment and skews perceptions. Those who repeat the same misdemeanor offense, however, are likely to fa ..read more

In Connecticut, it is against the law to operate a motor vehicle while under the influence of alcohol and/or drugs. If you are stopped by the police while drunk driving, you could be charged with operating under the influence (OUI/DUI). A DUI charge could lead to harsh consequences – particularly if you are under the age of 21. Connecticut has a much lower threshold for DUI offenses for minors. If you’re under 21, you could be arrested for DUI with a blood alcohol concentration (BAC) of just .02% – compared to the legal limit of .08% for adults aged 21 and older. In addition, you may face pris ..read more

When you’ve been accused of causing a car accident in Connecticut, you’re likely expecting the victim to make a personal injury claim against your auto insurance provider. In a lot of cases, this is exactly what happens, However, there are times when you could also end up being charged with a criminal offense. When that happens, a CT criminal attorney at The Sills Firm can be there to challenge the allegations and defend your rights. Understanding Civil vs. Criminal Cases in CT Civil law covers any compensable disputes or injuries involving individuals and/or organizations. Common examples inc ..read more

There’s no question that making a police statement can be intimidating, especially if your freedom or that of someone you care about is potentially in the balance. You may be tempted to lie in order to escape a stressful situation, but doing so can make your situation a lot worse. Lying to the police is a lot different than lying to the boss, parents, or spouse. Although there may be personal consequences with the latter, they usually don’t involve jail time and a criminal record that may damage your future prospects.  In Connecticut, providing false information to law enforcement when as ..read more