Following a brutal New England winter, Connecticut drivers are keen to enjoy the beautiful countryside in the summer. However, the warm weather and sunny skies also bring their fair share of driving hazards. Increased traffic With more people traveling for vacation and outdoor activities, highways and city streets can become crowded with vehicles, leading to longer commute times and a higher risk of collisions. Drivers should be patient and devote extra time to their travel during the summer months. Construction zones Summer is also a peak time for road construction projects. Construction zone ..read more

The manslaughter laws in Connecticut are similar to those in most other states, but they are named differently. Most states classify the taking of a life through an act of negligence as involuntary manslaughter and the taking of a life by an intentional act as voluntary manslaughter. In Connecticut, these crimes are called second-degree and first-degree manslaughter. One of the key components of a manslaughter charge is a lack of premeditation. An individual would be charged with first-degree manslaughter instead of murder if they acted in the heat of the moment or intended to only injure and ..read more

Hundreds of wrongly convicted people have been released from prisons in Connecticut and around the country because DNA evidence emerged that proved their innocence. Many of these individuals spent decades behind bars for crimes they did no commit, and it was usually a mistaken courtroom identification that sealed their fate. The moment in a criminal trial when a witness with no reason to lie makes a positive identification can seal the defendant’s fate, but the results of several studies suggest that this type of testimony is inherently unreliable. Lineup procedures create bias Most of the eye ..read more

Officials in Connecticut aim to stop juvenile crimes from escalating into lifetimes of adult offenses. One measure is a new law that deals with repeat juvenile car thefts. What is the new law about? A new law that passed in July 2022 is controversial, but many believe that it will be effective. There have been strings of juvenile car thefts across the state. Many of these crimes have been violent and even resulted in the death of a man who was out jogging when a stolen vehicle jumped the curb, striking him. The thief was a teen who had been arrested multiple times within the past four years. T ..read more

While police officers get trained to spot drunk drivers, they’re not perfect. There are many instances where officers have made mistakes that have led to innocent people getting arrested for DWI. To make sure that you get treated justly if you’re ever pulled over on suspicion of drunk driving, you should understand the common mistakes that police officers commonly make. Failing to administer the file sobriety tests properly Police officers are supposed to give you three sobriety tests when they pull you over on suspicion of DWI. They are the horizontal gaze nystagmus test, the walk-and-turn te ..read more

Manslaughter is one of the most serious criminal offenses in Connecticut. If you’ve been charged, it’s important to know what to expect. How are Connecticut’s manslaughter laws different? Connecticut’s manslaughter laws are different from those in other states. It doesn’t charge a person in terms of voluntary versus involuntary manslaughter. Instead, charges come based on the degree of the crime. In other words, a person can be charged with first-degree manslaughter or second-degree manslaughter depending on the nature of the crime. What are the levels of manslaughter in Connecticut? Manslaugh ..read more

Domestic violence incidents could involve a brutal physical confrontation. Bruises and marks on the victim may leave a jury having no sympathy for the accused assailant. Not every domestic violence claim leads to a conviction, though. An effective and credible defense in a Connecticut courtroom may prove that the defendant is not guilty of the crime. Several defense approaches could work in the factor of the person facing charges. Defenses to domestic violence If a spouse or partner attacks someone in a rage for no reason, that could be a clear-cut example of domestic violence. Upon being assa ..read more

Connecticut gun laws are meant to protect anyone, resident of the state or not. Breaking any gun rules and regulations can land you in serious trouble. For instance, just carrying a handgun without a permit can you sentenced to a maximum five-year prison term, require you to pay a fine of $5,000 and mandate that you undergo three years of probation. So to be on the safe side, here are the gun laws you should know and the penalties you may face if you break any. Connecticut gun laws You need a permit to own, carry and operate a firearm. Obtaining a permit in Connecticut takes about 60 days, and ..read more

Connecticut gun laws are meant to protect anyone, resident of the state or not. Breaking any gun rules and regulations can land you in serious trouble. For instance, just carrying a handgun without a permit can you sentenced to a maximum five-year prison term, require you to pay a fine of $5,000 and mandate that you undergo three years of probation. So to be on the safe side, here are the gun laws you should know and the penalties you may face if you break any. Connecticut gun laws You need a permit to own, carry and operate a firearm. Obtaining a permit in Connecticut takes about 60 days, and ..read more

In most cases, having a criminal record negatively impacts your ability to work. The ways in which a person in Connecticut is affected by having a criminal record will vary depending on the industry or sector. Read below to learn more about the effects of having a criminal record. Federal agencies prohibit having a criminal record for certain occupations Examples of licenses that most federal agencies heavily regulate include licenses for industries such as aviation, nuclear energy, broadcasting and wastewater management. According to the Fair Credit Reporting Act, however, these agencies can ..read more