If I got a dui when I was 19 in Idaho and moved to Connecticutt and got another dui this past weekend would it be a 2nd offense in Connecticut? Will they know about the dui in Idaho?
Hello:
I am a CT attorney who deals with DUI (OUI in CT). In CT, generally for the first offense, a person can take a diversionary program which results in a dismissal. If you took such a program in Idaho that will likely show up in CT. If you were convicted of a DUI/OUI in Idaho it would likely show up in CT (though not always). Then your CT matter would be considered a second conviction which is a felony and carries a mandatory, non-suspendable, 120 day jail term.
There can be differences between the statutes in different states that can distinguish a conviction in one from another. For example the CT statute addresses “operating under the influence of alcohol or any drug”. This means even over the counter (and of course prescription) meds can trigger the statute here in CT.
You should definitely get legal counsel here in CT. There are some deadlines for the DMV suspension and hearing which you should not miss!
Sincerely, Andrew J. O’Neill, New Haven, CT 203-776-2889