HARTFORD CRIMINAL & DUI LAWYER

The Serrano Law Firm provides effective and aggressive criminal defense representation for people who have been charged with crimes, including assault, domestic violence, driving under the influence (DUI) — also called operating under the influence (OUI) or driving while intoxicated (DWI), larceny and shoplifting, robbery, and drug, sex and tax crimes.

People wrongly accused of crimes need knowledgeable, experienced legal help to avoid guilty convictions. We provide that. We also help people who have made a mistake try to avoid a criminal record by presenting their case in the strongest possible manner to a judge who must decide whether to grant programs for people arrested for the first time or for family cases or drug possession charges. We meet with clients in jail if necessary and we can help you find a bondsman if you cannot meet bail.

I am Attorney John Serrano. I have 30 years of experience representing clients in criminal court. If you or someone you care about has been arrested, has a warrant, or has been asked to go speak to the police, call me at 860 236-9350. When I take your case, you can be assured that I am determined to get you the best possible result. I will give you the time and attention you need to fully understand your situation and your options. I have earned the respect of prosecutors and judges for my trial work and my efforts to help people keep their record clean. Let me put my experience and skill to work for you.

FELONY CRIMINAL DEFENSE

Felonies (as opposed to misdemeanors) are the most serious crimes. Felonies are punished with longer prison sentences and higher fines. The more serious felonies have minimum prison sentences. If you are convicted of a felony, your civil rights will also be affected. Felons cannot vote. Felons cannot have firearms. Felons are barred from certain professional occupations and can be prohibited from performing certain jobs, such as security guard, nurse or nurse's aide, barber or hairdresser, electrician, plumber, sheet metal worker, realtor and insurance sales. Felons must give the State a DNA sample. Felons convicted of sex crimes must register as sex offenders and may be barred from living in certain areas or working at certain jobs.

The consequences of a felony conviction are grave, long-lasting and life altering. If you are accused of a felony, you need a strong, knowledgeable and experienced attorney.

We represent persons accused of felonies, including sale of narcotics, sexual assault, possession of child pornography, risk of injury, burglary, robbery, fraud, embezzlement, vehicular homicide, kidnapping, unlawful restraint, arson, illegal possession of firearms, and violation of restraining or protective orders.

CONNECTICUT DRUNK DRIVING / DUI DEFENSE

Driving under the influence (DUI), also called driving while intoxicated (DWI) or simply drunk driving, is the most common criminal charge we see as criminal defense attorneys.  People who frequently drink and drive obviously are at risk for being arrested for drunk driving. People who only drink once in awhile, however, often do not realize they are above the legal limit when they start driving home from a party or a social event. Every day people from of all backgrounds — college graduates, high school drop-outs, rich, poor, lawyers, teachers, factory workers and housewives — find themselves facing DUI charges. These people need a knowledgeable and determined dui lawyer to help keep their record clean and avoid driver's license suspension and other DUI penalties.

Drunk driving is a very serious problem in the United States.  Every two minutes, a drunk driver injures someone.  Every 30 minutes, a drunk driver kills someone.  Forty percent of all fatal accidents are DUI related.

Judges often say the most difficult part of their job is when they have to sentence a person charged with causing a death or serious injury in DUI case.  The driver, who did not mean to hurt anyone, is overcome with sorrow and guilt.  The victim's family — a spouse, children, parents, brothers and sisters  — are overcome with grief and want justice.  Oftentimes, the injured person was a relative or friend traveling as a passenger when the accident happened.

The best way to avoid a DUI arrest is to never to drive if there is any chance you might be above the legal blood alcohol limit.  Even when no accident happens, the penalties for driving while intoxicated are severe.  There are criminal penalties and there are separate penalties imposed by the Department of Motor Vehicles for drunk driving.

Call us at 860 236-9350 if you are facing criminal and DMV charges for DUI. We will fight to get you the best possible result.

CONNECTICUT DOMESTIC VIOLENCE CRIMES

Arguments between family members and persons in current or former romantic relationships often can get out of control and result in calls to the police. Due to the frequency of domestic violence crimes, there are specific statutes that govern how the police and the court system should handle such incidents. Crimes that may be charged as a family violence crime include, but are not limited to, assault, sexual assault, kidnapping, threatening, stalking, disorderly conduct, and breach of peace.

Whether to make an arrest during a domestic violence call is up to the police officer, not the victim or the person who placed the call. When people make domestic violence accusations against each other, officers are trained to evaluate each complaint separately to decide whom to arrest. If an officer believes someone used force in self defense, the officer may choose not to arrest that person. In trying to find out what happened, officers will speak separately to each person involved and to other witness, including children. Officers are also trained not to ask about immigration status when responding to domestic calls.

Call us at 860 236-9350 if you have been arrested for a domestic violence crime. Rely on our 30 years experience, knowledge of the law, and skill in handling these types of cases. We may be able to help you avoid a criminal record by qualifying for a program if the crimes charged are not extremely serious and you have not previously been arrested for domestic violence.

UNDERAGE SEX CRIMES (STATUTORY RAPE)

The age of consent in Connecticut is 16, meaning that sex with a person younger than 16 is a crime unless the younger person is more than 13 and the age difference is 3 years or less. This crime, known as sexual assault in the second degree or statutory rape, is a class B felony. Nine months of the sentence must be served in jail.

Sex with a person older than 16 can also be sexual assault in the 2nd degree under the following circumstances:

When You Need a Connecticut Criminal Defense / DUI Lawyer,
Rely on Our Skill, Determination and 30 Years Experience