Top Connecticut Criminal Lawyers

Work with a Trusted State Criminal Attorney Today

If you have been charged recently with a criminal offence as the state level such as DUI or domestic violence, you probably have a lot of questions and concerns about what will happen next, who you can find to listen to your side of the events, what your legal rights are, and - most importantly - how this unfortunate incident will affect your personal life, your job and your family.

All of these things will be answered when you hire an attorney. The sooner you speak with a qualified lawyer, the sooner you will be able to reduce the effects of the charges against you and take action to help avoid legal mistakes. You need to quickly consult with a Connecticut criminal lawyer who has a proven history of defending cases that are similar to yours. You do of course have the right to remain silent until you have sought counsel and the sooner you meet with a potential attorney, the better off you will be. Bear in mind that not everyone who has been charged with a state offense has been found guilty. When you partner with a criminal lawyer, they will be able to protect you and your family throughout this time and give you information on what your various options and legal rights are. Many attorneys will offer a free consultation the first time you meet, so you will be able to get some of this advice up front.

Are You In Need of Trusted Defense for Criminal Charges?

Our criminal attorneys have expertise in a wide variety of criminal offenses from solicitation to kidnapping to DUI. We have lawyers who practice in diverse areas: fraud, weapons charges, theft, probation violations, white collar crimes and many more. You need to act quickly. It doesn't matter if you are already facing charges or you suspect that there may be forthcoming repercussions for a past act, the longer you wait around the more difficult it is to build up a good defense. Our Connecticut criminal attorneys know this and they also understand how the justice system works, especially at the state level. They will be able to offer sound advice when you come in for your initial meeting.

Build a Strong Defense for DUIs

One of the most common charges that people will face at a state level is the charge of DUI. The consequences of this can vary and can include everything from a night in jail and heavy fine to a suspended driver's license, alcohol education and other penalties.

If you are charged with a DUI, you will need a criminal lawyer who is knowledgeable about state laws and who has experience handling cases like yours. Our Connecticut attorneys will help to determine if you qualify as a first offender, how to design your defense, how this can affect parts of your life like your job, and what penalties you may face.

Concentrated on Different Areas of the Law

Our attorneys concentrate in specific areas of the law. They work in these areas as to gain an extensive knowledge and understanding of the exact criminal charges you face. They know the state laws that will come into play for your case and they know the most effective strategies to help with your defense. We will be able to match you up with the most qualified lawyer on the team who has the experience needed for your specific case.

What You Should Expect from Your Lawyer

At your first meeting, you will be able to speak with your criminal attorney about the facts of the case. He or she will be able to share their expertise of the law as it applies to your situation. You should always be honest and candid when speaking with your lawyer. They must keep all of your information confidential and will work with your best interest in mind. You should always take your lawyer's advice and be patient as you explore the steps of your case.

A Strong Reputation Counts

Our professional lawyers belong to numerous associations like the National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers. Their work history is easy to track and all of them have been fully vetted as we want you to have the most competent and reliable attorney working on your behalf.

Choose Attorneys That You Can Trust

How do you figure out which is the most suitable criminal lawyer for you? The right criminal attorney for you is one who will work to provide you with an informed defense. They will build trust with you, work with the highest ethical standards and bring professional confidence into your case.

Our top Connecticut lawyers know will advise you on how to handle your personal case and will do so with care and diligence. Avoid mistakes in the near future by finding a lawyer as quickly as possible during this time in order to protect your rights and give yourself peace of mind. Call today and be connected with a reputable criminal attorney.

Charged with Burglary or other Property Crime in Connecticut?

Crime in Connecticut is divided into two categories – misdemeanor and felony. Misdemeanors are the less serious crimes and likewise carry potential penalties that are less harsh than those levied for conviction of felony crimes. However, even misdemeanor convictions in Connecticut can result in a jail sentence and lengthy fine.

Section 53a-26 of the Connecticut Penal Code specifies that misdemeanors can only be punished by a one year jail sentence or less. This statute further provides a set of more narrow classifications of misdemeanors in Connecticut. These classifications are Class A, B, C, or D misdemeanors, which are differentiated by the maximum punishment allowed for a conviction of each offense. Connecticut also allows misdemeanors to be unclassified under CGS § 53a-26(d)(5). These are misdemeanors that carry a maximum jail term set in the specific criminal statute and outside Connecticut’s sentencing structure.

Felonies are covered in CGS § 53a-25. These are any crimes that can be sentenced by imprisonment for over one year. Just as misdemeanors are classified more narrowly, felonies are too. The classifications for felonies in Connecticut are Class A, B, C, D, and E. Felonies that have a maximum sentence outside these specific classifications are considered unclassified.

Whether you are charged with a theft or forgery, minor misdemeanor or harsh felony, you deserve – and need – competent legal representation. Having a knowledgeable and experienced lawyer by your side throughout the legal process can make a big difference in the outcome of your case and the sentence you receive. Your lawyer is your best ally and an invaluable resource for your questions and concerns, so you should choose someone you trust.

If you have been arrested and charged with a crime in Connecticut, contacting an experienced criminal defense lawyer may be your best next step. Criminal charges can have immediate and lasting effects on your life, and any opportunity to mitigate, reduce, or eliminate these negative effects is beneficial. A qualified Connecticut criminal lawyer can ensure that you have the necessary support to build a robust defense.

If you or someone you know is facing criminal charges, you can find a Connecticut criminal lawyer on our site, Criminal Lawyer.

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Five Common Crimes Charged in Connecticut

Larceny

In Connecticut, unlawfully taking, obtaining, or controlling someone else’s property with the intent to permanently deprive the owner of the property is considered larceny. Also called theft in many other states, larceny requires the prosecution to prove the defendant took or obtained the property with the requisite intent of keeping it from the rightful owner.

Under Connecticut’s Penal Code, larceny can be either a misdemeanor or felony, dependent upon the value of property taken. Specifically, if the stolen property is worth less than $1,000, the offense is a misdemeanor and theft of property worth more than $1,000 is a felony. As in other states, larceny charges are further broken down into six degrees.

According to CGS § 53a-125b, the property taken is worth $500 or less, the charge is larceny in the sixth degree, a misdemeanor. Larceny of property valued between $500 and $1,000 is a class B misdemeanor under CGS §53a-125a, and in CGS § 53a-125 stealing property between $1,000 and $2,000 is a class A misdemeanor.

For property valued between $2,000 and $10,000, the charge is larceny in the third degree, a class D felony under CGS § 3a-124. If the property value is $10,000 or greater, but less than $20,000 it is a class C felony under CGS § 53a-123. Lastly, the most serious offense is larceny in the first degree; the taking of property valued at more than $20,000 and is a Class B felony in CGS § 53a-122.

The penalty for larceny depends on its classification. As a Class C misdemeanor, larceny in the sixth degree has a maximum punishment of three months in jail and a fine of no more than $500. Meanwhile, as the most serious charge, larceny in the first degree is punishable by a maximum of 20 years in prison and a fine as high as $15,000.

Larceny is not always as simple as shoplifting or taking someone’s purse on the street. It can also take the form of embezzlement from an individual, corporation, charity, or other organization. A charge of embezzlement is brought when an owner’s property which was entrusted to another person is stolen by that person for his or her personal gain. Embezzlement is a crime under federal law, and that means individuals charged with embezzlement face charges in a federal district court rather than Connecticut’s state court.

A Connecticut larceny and theft lawyer who is also admitted to the federal bar can represent individuals charged with embezzlement or other white collar crimes.

Looking for theft lawyers in Connecticut? Start your search here.

Murder

Simply put, murder is the intentional killing of a human being, and it is the most serious crime contemplated by Connecticut’s Penal Code in CGS §53a-54a through § 53a-54c.. However, under Connecticut law, murder charges do not fall into one simple category. Although the state does not have first and second degree murder, it classifies murder charges and their penalties based on a specific set of factors.

In Connecticut, capital murder is punishable by either the death penalty or life in prison without parole, and this charge is reserved for specific situations, including: intentional killings of law enforcement or correctional officers on duty; killing for profit or hiring a hitman; murder during a kidnapping; murder committed by a person who is already convicted of felony murder or serving a life sentence for a different crime; killing two or more people in a single incident; killing a child under the age of 16; and murder that takes place during a first degree sexual assault.

A person is said to have committed felony murder in Connecticut when an intentional killing occurs during the commission of a different felony, in furtherance of a different felony, or while the offender is fleeing from a different felony. Capital felony murder is the most severe murder charge that can be alleged.

Absent any of the extenuating circumstances just described, individuals convicted of murder face a sentence of up to 60 years in state prison and a maximum of $20,000 in fines.

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Burglary

The Connecticut Penal Code contains five different statutes that detail the crime of burglary and its punishment. These statutes are found in CGS § 53a-101 through § 53a-103a. Burglary is generally described as unlawfully entering or remaining in the building of another person with the intent to commit a crime. The term, building, can also include aircraft, watercraft, and trailers.

Charges of first degree burglary are deemed appropriate in two situations, under two different statutes. The first of these applies to cases in which the burglar is armed with explosives or any other dangerous weapon, and the second occurs when the burglar intentionally, knowingly, or recklessly inflicts or attempts to inflict bodily harm on an occupant of the building. First degree burglary is a Class B felony and it can be punished by a maximum of 20 years in state prison.

Second degree burglary means the offender entered a residential building while the building was occupied or at night, and a person convicted of this Class C felony will incur a maximum sentence of 10 years in state prison. Third degree burglary applies to the unlawful entry of any building at any time of day. It is a Class D felony with a maximum sentence of five years in prison. Both second and third degree burglary can also be charged under a separate statute that addresses burglary with a firearm. Having, using, or threatening to use a firearm makes it more likely that the prosecutor will request the maximum penalty.

Start your search for Connecticut burglary lawyers here.