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

If you are convicted of driving under the influence in Connecticut, the potential consequences are far-reaching. In addition to potentially going to jail, you will be required to pay a significant fine. You will also lose your driving privileges for 45 days; your license will be revoked for a third or greater conviction. Fortunately, even if your license is revoked due to DUIs, you may be able to get it back. To restore your license after a DUI suspension, you will need to fill out an application, get insurance, and pay the applicable fees. If your license has been revoked, then you will need ..read more

Domestic violence is a serious problem in our country. According to some estimates, 10 million Americans are victims of domestic violence each year. But this doesn’t mean that all allegations of domestic abuse are true – which raises the question of what you can do if you are falsely accused of this crime. In Connecticut, “family violence” includes a number of different criminal offenses such as assault, threatening, strangulation, stalking, and sexual assault. If convicted of one of these offenses, you face the standard penalty for the crime – and may have to deal with additional consequence ..read more

You may not think much of getting behind the wheel after having a few drinks. But if you are charged with driving under the influence of drugs and/or alcohol (DUI), you will quickly learn just how costly deciding to drive yourself instead of getting an Uber can be. In addition to a driver’s license suspension, you could be facing steep fines and court costs – plus jail time. The specific penalty for a Connecticut drunk or drugged driving conviction depends on the charge. At the lower end of the scale, a misdemeanor DUI could lead to up to 6 months in jail.  A felony DUI may result in a s ..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