CT CRIMINAL DEFENSE
Deportation Defense * Immigration Court Representation * Bond Hearings * Appeals
Aggressive Deportation Defense for Immigrants Across the Tri-State Region. When you or a loved one is facing deportation nothing matters more than choosing the right attorney. Immigration court is one of the most complex high-stakes legal arenas in the United States. The government has attorneys ICE has attorneys and you deserve a powerful advocate fighting for your right to stay in the country you call home.
We defend immigrants in New York Immigration Court Hartford Immigration Court Boston Immigration Court and before the Board of Immigration Appeals. Whether you were detained received a Notice to Appear or have an upcoming hearing we provide strategic aggressive and compassionate representation.
Your future is worth fighting for and we fight to win.
What Is Removal Defense.
Removal defense is the legal process of defending someone the government is trying to deport. This includes:
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People who overstayed a visa
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People who entered without inspection
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Green card holders with criminal charges
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Asylum seekers
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Individuals with old deportation orders
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People accused of fraud or misrepresentation
We represent clients at every stage of the process from the first hearing to the final appeal.
Immigration Courts We Serve
New York Immigration Court. We defend clients in:
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26 Federal Plaza (NYC)
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Broadway Immigration Court
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Varick Street (detained cases)
New York has some of the busiest immigration courts in the country. We understand the judges the procedures and the strategies that work.
Hartford Immigration Court Connecticut. Hartford’s court handles both detained and non-detained cases. We represent clients from Hartford New Haven Bridgeport Stamford Waterbury Danbury.
Boston Immigration Court Massachusetts. We defend clients across Boston Worcester Springfield Lowell Lawrence Cambridge.
Each court has unique tendencies and we tailor our defense to the judge the jurisdiction and the facts of your case.
SERVING NEW YORK, NEW JERSEY CONNECTICUT AND MASSACHUSSETTS
CONNECTICUT CRIMINAL DEFENSE LAWYER | HARTFORD, NEW HAVEN & STATEWIDE
Connecticut's criminal courts operate at a fast pace, and the state's prosecutors — organized across 13 State's Attorney offices — are experienced, well-resourced, and serious about their cases. From a misdemeanor arraignment in a GA court to a complex felony trial in Superior Court, the decisions made in the first hours and days of a criminal case can determine everything that follows. Bail, the preservation of evidence, the filing of critical motions, and the early assessment of alternative disposition eligibility — all of these require the immediate involvement of experienced defense counsel. At Smith & Company, we are in Hartford courts regularly, we know Connecticut's criminal system from the inside, and we are ready to fight for you from the moment you call
CONNECTICUT'S CRIMINAL COURT SYSTEM
The Connecticut Superior Court is the single level of trial court in Connecticut for all criminal matters. Unlike states with multiple tiers of trial courts, Connecticut's Superior Court handles everything — from Class A misdemeanors through Class A felonies — in a unified court structure. Superior Court judges sit in courthouses across the state's 13 judicial districts, and cases are assigned based on the geographic location of the alleged offense. Connecticut's Superior Courts operate through two categories of courts: Geographic Area (GA) courts handle arraignments, misdemeanor cases, violation of protective orders, and preliminary felony hearings. This is where defendants first appear after arrest, and where the critical early decisions — bail, protective orders, and initial plea positions — are made. Geographical Judicial District (GD) courts handle felony trials, serious felony sentencing, and complex criminal matters. Major GD courthouses include Hartford Superior Court (95 Washington Street), New Haven Superior Court (235 Church Street), Bridgeport Superior Court, Stamford Superior Court, and Waterbury Superior Court — each serving its surrounding geographic area with its own judges, its own State's Attorney staff, and its own institutional culture. The Connecticut Division of Criminal Justice operates 13 State's Attorneys offices across the state, each headed by a State's Attorney who prosecutes cases in the judicial districts within their jurisdiction. These offices vary in size, prosecutorial philosophy, and charging tendencies — and familiarity with the specific State's Attorney office handling your case is a meaningful advantage in defense strategy. Smith & Company's Hartford base gives us daily exposure to the Division of Criminal Justice's practices and personnel across multiple judicial districts. The Connecticut criminal process moves through defined stages: arraignment in GA court (typically within 48 hours of arrest), bail determination, case transfer to the GD court for felony matters, pretrial conferences, the probable cause hearing (or waiver), plea negotiations, and ultimately trial or resolution. Connecticut's accelerated disposition programs — available at several stages of this process — add an additional layer of strategic complexity that experienced defense counsel must navigate from the very first appearance.
CONNECTICUT FELONY AND MISDEMEANOR CLASSIFICATIONS
Classification
Sentence Range
Examples
Class A Felony
10–25 years or life
Murder, kidnapping 1st degree, sexual assault 1st degree
Class B Felony
1–20 years
Assault 1st degree, robbery 1st degree, home invasion
Class C Felony
1–10 years
Assault 2nd degree, burglary 2nd degree
Class D Felony
1–5 years
Assault 3rd degree on a public safety officer, burglary 3rd degree
Class A Misdemeanor
Up to 1 year
Assault 3rd degree, DUI 1st offense, criminal trespass 1st degree
Class B Misdemeanor
Up to 6 months
Criminal mischief 3rd degree, disorderly conduct (elevated)
Class C Misdemeanor
Up to 3 months
Breach of peace 2nd degree, simple trespass
CONNECTICUT ALTERNATIVE DISPOSITION PROGRAMS
ACCELERATED REHABILITATION (AR)
Accelerated Rehabilitation is Connecticut's broadest pretrial diversion program, available to first-time offenders charged with non-serious, non-violent crimes. Successful completion of a court-supervised period — typically six months to two years — results in the charge being dismissed and the arrest record being erased through an erasure petition. The court considers the nature of the charged offense, the applicant's personal history and character, and the likelihood of future law-abiding conduct. Not all charges qualify — certain serious offenses, domestic violence crimes, and motor vehicle charges are excluded — and Smith & Company evaluates AR eligibility at the initial consultation.
PRETRIAL ALCOHOL EDUCATION PROGRAM (PAEP)
The Pretrial Alcohol Education Program is specifically designed for first-time DUI offenders under CGS § 14-227a who have no prior PAEP application within the last 10 years. Upon acceptance into the program, the defendant completes a 10-session alcohol education and awareness program. Successful completion results in the DUI charge being dismissed — no conviction, no criminal record, and an arrest record eligible for erasure. Smith & Company advises every first-offense DUI client on PAEP eligibility and whether the program or a vigorous trial defense better serves their individual circumstances and long-term interests.
DRUG EDUCATION AND COMMUNITY SERVICE (DECS)
DECS is available for certain minor drug possession charges — typically first-offense possession of small quantities of controlled substances. Participants complete community service hours and a drug education program in exchange for dismissal of the charge. Smith & Company evaluates DECS eligibility in every drug possession case where it may apply, because a dismissal under DECS eliminates the conviction and preserves the defendant's eligibility for certain future diversion programs.
FAMILY VIOLENCE EDUCATION PROGRAM (FVEP)
The Family Violence Education Program is Connecticut's diversion mechanism for first-time family violence offenders charged with domestic violence-related crimes. Completion of the program — typically a counseling and education curriculum — results in the family violence charge being dismissed. Smith & Company advises clients on FVEP eligibility in every applicable case, while simultaneously defending the underlying criminal charges in the event that diversion is unavailable or inadvisable.
SUSPENDED PROSECUTION (NOLLE PROSEQUI)
Connecticut prosecutors have the authority to file a nolle prosequi — a formal declination to pursue the case further — in any criminal matter where they conclude that prosecution is not in the interests of justice. A nolle ends the case for a period of 13 months, after which the charge is dismissed and the defendant can apply to erase the arrest record. Smith & Company works to secure nolles in appropriate cases through direct engagement with the State's Attorney, presenting mitigating facts, legal challenges to the sufficiency of the evidence, and any other factors that support the exercise of prosecutorial discretion in our client's favor.
CRIMINAL CHARGES WE DEFEND IN CONNECTICUT
DRUG CRIMES (CGS §§ 21A-277, 21A-279)
Connecticut drug charges range from simple possession of less than one-half ounce of a controlled substance — a Class A misdemeanor — to large-scale drug trafficking under CGS § 21a-277, which can be prosecuted as a Class B felony with up to 20 years in prison. Connecticut drug charges are frequently eligible for alternative disposition programs, and Smith & Company evaluates every drug case for the full range of available options — from diversion to aggressive suppression-based defense to trial.
DUI/OWI (CGS § 14-227A)
Connecticut's DUI statute — CGS § 14-227a — criminalizes operating a motor vehicle under the influence of alcohol or drugs, with a BAC of .08% or higher. First offenses are Class A misdemeanors; subsequent offenses escalate to felony status. Connecticut DUI prosecutions involve both a criminal case in Superior Court and a DMV administrative suspension proceeding — each with its own deadlines and procedures. Smith & Company handles both tracks simultaneously.
ASSAULT AND VIOLENT CRIMES (CGS §§ 53A-59 THROUGH 53A-61)
THEFT AND BURGLARY (CGS §§ 53A-102, 53A-119)
Connecticut theft offenses — from petty larceny through first-degree larceny — are classified by the value of the property taken. First-degree larceny (property worth more than $10,000) is a Class B felony. Burglary charges are among the most seriously prosecuted property crimes in Connecticut, with first-degree burglary carrying up to 20 years as a Class B felony. Smith & Company defends theft and burglary charges by challenging the evidence of identity, intent, and the value of the alleged stolen property.
WEAPONS CHARGES (CGS § 53A-217, § 29-35)
Connecticut prohibits carrying a pistol or revolver without a permit under CGS § 29-35 — a Class D felony — and criminalizes criminal possession of a pistol or revolver by a prohibited person under CGS § 53a-217, a Class C felony. Connecticut's weapons laws also regulate assault weapons, large-capacity magazines, and other regulated firearms. Fourth Amendment suppression is the primary defense in most weapons possession cases — challenging the constitutionality of the stop, search, or seizure that produced the firearm.
WHITE-COLLAR CRIMES
Connecticut prosecutes white-collar offenses including first-degree larceny by fraud (CGS § 53a-122), first-degree scheme to defraud (CGS § 53a-192a), identity theft (CGS § 53a-129b), forgery (CGS § 53a-138), and computer crimes (CGS § 53a-251). These cases are prosecuted by specialized units within the State's Attorney offices and often involve coordination with federal authorities, particularly when the conduct also implicates federal fraud statutes. Smith & Company brings the same analytical depth to Connecticut white-collar defense that we deploy in federal fraud cases.
WHY SMITH & COMPANY FOR CONNECTICUT DEFENSE
Smith & Company is headquartered in Hartford — not a satellite office, not a mailbox, but our primary base of operations. Attorney Eon Smith is admitted to the Connecticut State Bar and appears regularly in Superior Courts across the state, including Hartford, New Haven, Bridgeport, Stamford, and Waterbury. We have the familiarity with Connecticut's courts, judges, and prosecutors that comes only from daily practice in this jurisdiction — and that familiarity translates directly into better outcomes for our clients.
We bring to every Connecticut criminal case the same standard of practice we apply in federal court: thorough pretrial investigation, aggressive motion practice, rigorous witness preparation, and a defense strategy built entirely around the specific facts and circumstances of your case. We do not use templates. We do not assume that what worked in the last case will work in this one. Every Connecticut criminal case Smith & Company handles is analyzed from the ground up — and defended with everything we have.
Charged with a crime in Connecticut? Call Smith & Company now — we are based in Hartford and ready to help you immediately. Free, confidential consultation 24/7.
CONNECTICUT DUI / OWI DEFENSE LAWYER | FIRST OFFENSE THROUGH FELONY DUI
A Connecticut DUI arrest activates two parallel legal proceedings — one criminal, one administrative — and both have tight deadlines that begin running from the day of your arrest. In Superior Court, you face criminal charges under CGS § 14-227a that can result in jail time, fines, probation, and a criminal record. At the DMV, a separate administrative per se suspension process moves on its own timeline, and if you do not act within 7 days of your arrest, your license is suspended automatically and without recourse. Most people who are arrested for DUI focus on the criminal case — because the criminal charges are scary and immediate — and they overlook the DMV side until it is too late. Smith & Company fights both proceedings simultaneously, from the moment you call us.
CONNECTICUT DUI LAW — CGS § 14-227A
Offense
Jail
Fine
License Consequences
1st Offense (Class A Misdemeanor)
Up to 6 months (suspended sentence common); mandatory 48 hours if convicted
$500–$1,000
45-day suspension + ignition interlock for minimum 1 year
2nd Offense within 10 years (Class A Misdemeanor)
Mandatory minimum 120 consecutive days; up to 2 years
$1,000–$4,000
45-day suspension + ignition interlock for 3 years
3rd Offense and beyond (Class C Felony)
Mandatory minimum 1 year consecutive; up to 3 years
$2,000–$8,000
Permanent license revocation possible
DUI Causing Serious Injury (Class D Felony)
Up to 5 years
Significant fines and surcharges
Extended revocation
DUI Causing Death (Class C Felony)
Up to 10 years
Significant fines and surcharges
Extended revocation
THE DMV ADMINISTRATIVE PER SE SUSPENSION — 7-DAY DEADLINE
Connecticut's implied consent statute (CGS § 14-227b) provides that every person operating a motor vehicle in Connecticut has implicitly consented to chemical testing. When a person is arrested for DUI and either submits to a breath or blood test with a BAC of .08% or higher, or refuses the test, the DMV is notified and the automatic license suspension process begins. Your license is suspended 30 days after your arrest — unless you request a DMV hearing to contest the suspension. You have exactly 7 days from the date of your arrest to file that hearing request. Seven days. Not seven business days. Seven calendar days.
If you miss this deadline, the suspension goes into effect automatically, and you have no right to contest it. There is no exception for not knowing about the deadline. There is no grace period. Smith & Company files the DMV hearing request on the day we are retained — because we will not allow this deadline to be missed under any circumstance. We then attend the DMV hearing and contest the suspension on every available ground: whether the arresting officer had reasonable grounds to believe you were operating under the influence, whether you were properly advised of the implied consent law and the consequences of refusal, whether the test was administered within the required two-hour window, and whether all procedural requirements were properly followed.
Winning the DMV hearing means your license is not suspended — regardless of what happens in the criminal case. It also produces discovery that is valuable in the criminal proceeding: the sworn testimony of the arresting officer at the DMV hearing can be used to cross-examine that officer if the case proceeds to trial in Superior Court. Smith & Company treats the DMV hearing as a dual-purpose proceeding — a fight to preserve the license and an opportunity to lock in the officer's story before trial.
CONNECTICUT PRETRIAL ALCOHOL EDUCATION PROGRAM (PAEP)
For first-time DUI offenders with no prior PAEP application within the preceding 10 years, Connecticut's Pretrial Alcohol Education Program offers a path to complete dismissal of the DUI charge without a conviction. The program consists of 10 sessions of alcohol education and awareness programming, conducted at a state-certified provider. Upon successful completion and payment of the required program fee, the court dismisses the DUI charge. The arrest record is then eligible for erasure — meaning the incident does not appear on background checks or employment applications. PAEP is a powerful resolution option when it is available and appropriate.
Not everyone benefits from PAEP, however, and the decision to enter the program versus pursue a vigorous trial defense should be made after careful consideration of all factors specific to the case. A first-time DUI defendant with a strong suppression motion — based on a potentially unlawful traffic stop — may be better served by litigating that motion and seeking dismissal of the charges on constitutional grounds, rather than accepting PAEP. Smith & Company evaluates both options honestly at the initial consultation, explains the realistic likelihood of success through each path, and lets the client make the informed decision that is right for their life and their circumstances.
HOW WE FIGHT CONNECTICUT DUI CHARGES
THE TRAFFIC STOP
Every Connecticut DUI case begins with a police encounter that must be constitutionally justified. An officer must have reasonable articulable suspicion — more than a hunch — that a traffic violation or crime is occurring before initiating a stop. An unlawful stop voids every piece of evidence that follows: the officer's observations of intoxication, the field sobriety tests, and the breath or blood test results are all fruit of the poisonous tree if the initial stop lacked constitutional basis. Smith & Company analyzes the circumstances of the stop in every DUI case and challenges it aggressively when the record supports a suppression motion.
FIELD SOBRIETY TESTS
Connecticut officers administer the NHTSA's three standardized field sobriety tests — the Horizontal Gaze Nystagmus (HGN) test, the Walk-and-Turn test, and the One-Leg Stand test — following a DUI stop. These tests are not infallible: they require precise administration in accordance with NHTSA protocols, they are affected by environmental conditions (uneven surfaces, inadequate lighting, temperature), and they are interpreted by officers who may have limited training and significant confirmation bias. Smith & Company cross-examines DUI arresting officers at length on the details of field sobriety test administration — because deviations from protocol undermine the scientific reliability of the test results and, with them, the officer's conclusion that our client was impaired.
BREATHALYZER TESTING
Connecticut uses the Intoxilyzer 9000 for evidentiary breath testing. This instrument is a scientific device that must be properly maintained, regularly calibrated, and operated by a currently certified operator following specific procedures. Smith & Company subpoenas the complete maintenance and calibration records for the specific instrument used in our client's case, the operator's certification records, the operational checklist completed at the time of testing, and any records of technical issues or out-of-tolerance readings. Technical violations — an instrument outside of calibration tolerance, an expired operator certification, a failure to observe the mandatory 20-minute deprivation period before testing — can support a motion to suppress the breath test result. Without a valid breath test, the prosecution's case is significantly weakened.
RISING ALCOHOL DEFENSE
Blood alcohol concentration continues to rise for a period following the cessation of drinking, as alcohol is still being absorbed from the digestive system into the bloodstream. A person who consumed several drinks in the hour before driving may have a BAC that is still rising — and potentially below the legal limit — at the moment they are operating the vehicle, while testing above the limit 45 or 60 minutes later at the police station. Connecticut DUI law requires proof that the defendant's BAC was .08% or higher at the time of operation — not at the time of testing. When the facts support it, Smith & Company presents the rising alcohol defense with expert toxicological testimony to establish reasonable doubt about the defendant's BAC while driving.
Connecticut DUI has a 7-day DMV deadline — do not wait. Call Smith & Company now for immediate help with both your criminal case and your license.
Connecticut assault charges range from third-degree assault — a Class A misdemeanor requiring physical injury — through first-degree assault, a Class B felony carrying up to 20 years. Domestic violence assault charges in Connecticut carry additional mandatory consequences including automatic protective orders, court-mandated counseling, and firearms surrender requirements. We defend all levels of Connecticut assault charges with thorough investigation, witness preparation, and aggressive motion practice.