DUI- Questions Reg. Restricted License CT/NY

[Crimzin]

What is the name of your state? CT/NY

I was recently charged with a DUI in the state of Connecticut - my 1st offense. I'm a college student, resident of New York State who holds a New York driver's license but attend school in CT and live there most of the year. The DUI occurred in CT. I recently retained an attorney and am planning to apply to CT's pre-trial alcohol education program for first time offenders but had a couple of questions that I didn't think to ask him when we last met and thought I would put them up here.

The main question I have is regarding the possibility of a restricted license. First of all, I'm very confused by how my license suspension will work as I am a NY license holder but the arrest occurred in CT. My lawyer told me that NY will be responsible for suspending my license but I will also have a hearing with the CT DMV to determine a suspension of my "privilege to drive" within CT. He mentioned that I will be receiving a letter from the CT DMV notifying me that I have like 5 days to request a hearing and has told me to notify him as soon as I get it so that we can set up that hearing. However, he didn't say anything about a hearing with the New York DMV. Will I also have to go to some sort of hearing with the New York DMV, or will they just suspend it based on CT's decision? But on to the important part... I live off-campus in a house. It's not a typical college town - very suburban and public transportation is virtually nonexistent. The closest bus stop to my house is actually further away than the university is. I have read that both Connecticut and New York do, at least in some cases, grant restricted licenses for work/school related driving. But who would be responsible for determining if I could get one? Would it be New York since I hold a NY license, or would it be Connecticut since that's where the incident occurred and also where I'll be living and going to school for the duration of my license suspension? Finally, it would be greatly appreciated if anybody could give me an idea of how liberally restricted licenses are handed out and what my chances are of getting one...I have read that in Connecticut, even second-time offenders are eligible for them.This is extremely important to me as I'm a senior trying to finish off strong. I understand that this was a horrible mistake and I will punish myself for it long after all of the state-imposed consequences are over...I will face it and make sacrifices but the one thing I don't want to give up is my education - the ability to get myself to and from my classes without having to pester other people with different schedules and their own workload to worry about would be huge for me. Even if I had to have an IID on my car...I would take it with open arms.

 

[sandyclaus]

What is the name of your state? CT/NY

I was recently charged with a DUI in the state of Connecticut - my 1st offense. I'm a college student, resident of New York State who holds a New York driver's license but attend school in CT and live there most of the year. The DUI occurred in CT. I recently retained an attorney and am planning to apply to CT's pre-trial alcohol education program for first time offenders but had a couple of questions that I didn't think to ask him when we last met and thought I would put them up here.

The main question I have is regarding the possibility of a restricted license. First of all, I'm very confused by how my license suspension will work as I am a NY license holder but the arrest occurred in CT. My lawyer told me that NY will be responsible for suspending my license but I will also have a hearing with the CT DMV to determine a suspension of my "privilege to drive" within CT. He mentioned that I will be receiving a letter from the CT DMV notifying me that I have like 5 days to request a hearing and has told me to notify him as soon as I get it so that we can set up that hearing. However, he didn't say anything about a hearing with the New York DMV. Will I also have to go to some sort of hearing with the New York DMV, or will they just suspend it based on CT's decision? But on to the important part... I live off-campus in a house. It's not a typical college town - very suburban and public transportation is virtually nonexistent. The closest bus stop to my house is actually further away than the university is. I have read that both Connecticut and New York do, at least in some cases, grant restricted licenses for work/school related driving. But who would be responsible for determining if I could get one? Would it be New York since I hold a NY license, or would it be Connecticut since that's where the incident occurred and also where I'll be living and going to school for the duration of my license suspension? Finally, it would be greatly appreciated if anybody could give me an idea of how liberally restricted licenses are handed out and what my chances are of getting one...I have read that in Connecticut, even second-time offenders are eligible for them.This is extremely important to me as I'm a senior trying to finish off strong. I understand that this was a horrible mistake and I will punish myself for it long after all of the state-imposed consequences are over...I will face it and make sacrifices but the one thing I don't want to give up is my education - the ability to get myself to and from my classes without having to pester other people with different schedules and their own workload to worry about would be huge for me.

You can pretty much count on the fact that your license will probably be suspended in CT as well as a result of your NY license suspension due to your DUI.

As far as a restricted license, you may be able to get one, but those are generally restricted to getting to and from work, and sometimes school. Since you live so close to your university, it's very UNLIKELY you would get a restricted license, since it's not necessary for you to drive to get to and from school. You may have to learn how to rely upon public transportation, or the kindness of your friends and family to get you around for the duration of the license suspension. And before you complain about it, remember that you EARNED having your driving privilege taken away. Your punishment is not supposed to be easy or convenient for you. You are going to realize just how much you miss driving when you're unable to count on being able to use your car to get around.

 

[Crimzin]

I didn't ask whether or not my license is going to be suspended. I know it will be. I asked whether or not there will be a hearing with the New York DMV as well as the Connecticut DMV. Thanks for not addressing it.

As I said, the nearest bus stop to my house is further away than the university. That's not a testament to how close I am to the university - it's a testament to what a sham the "public transportation" - personally I wouldn't even call it that - is in this town. It pretty much consists of 3 or 4 stops along the two main roads in town. I've been at school for more than three years, and if I even see a bus driving around on more than 1 occasion each week it's an anomaly. So to clarify - public transportation is NOT an option. The only way for me to get to and from school is in a car. A bike might be an option - albeit a grueling one since it would be a VERY long bike ride and the way home would be all uphill...but it's also winter so that seems a little unsafe.

I'm not here to try and rationalize what I did or argue about it - I'm here to hopefully get a few basic answers from somebody with a little first-hand knowledge. So thank you so much for your holier-than-thou finger-wagging, but kindly dismount your high horse, shove it up your ass, and save it for someone who hasn't accepted responsibility for what they've done.

 

[HighwayMan]

I didn't ask whether or not my license is going to be suspended. I know it will be. I asked whether or not there will be a hearing with the New York DMV as well as the Connecticut DMV.

The only reason there would be a "hearing" in New York is if there was a chemical test refusal involved. Was there?

Whether your license gets suspended depends upon what, if anything, you are convicted of. New York WILL suspend you for an out of state DWI/DUI conviction.

Furthermore, to avoid confusion, New York does NOT grant a restricted license in alcohol-related cases - it is a CONDITIONAL license.

There is a difference between a license and a driving privilege. If Connecticut takes action against your driving privilege it only affects your ability to drive in Connecticut. You can be prohibited from driving in Connecticut but be fine in 49 other states with your New York license, as long as it is not suspended or revoked.