Best Connecticut Criminal Lawyers

If you have been charged with a crime in Connecticut, having an experienced criminal defense attorney on your side can make all the difference in the outcome of your case. Criminal charges can carry steep fines, years in prison, and collateral consequences that impact your life long after your case is resolved. The stakes are high, so it is critical to have strong legal representation to protect your rights.

Connecticut has many qualified and skilled criminal defense lawyers, but not all attorneys have the same track record of success. When researching potential lawyers, look for these key attributes:

• Extensive criminal law experience – Look for a lawyer that specializes in criminal defense and has handled many cases similar to yours.
• Knowledge of Connecticut law – Make sure the lawyer is intimately familiar with Connecticut’s criminal statutes and case law precedents that may apply.
• Courtroom litigation skills – Opt for a lawyer with proven ability to argue motions, cross examine witnesses, and advocate persuasively before judges and juries.
• Negotiation skills – Many criminal cases are resolved through plea bargains, so choose a lawyer who can negotiate effectively with prosecutors.
• Resources – The top criminal defense firms have teams of paralegals, investigators, and other professionals who can build the strongest case.
• Client reviews – Look for outstanding reviews and testimonials from the lawyer’s past clients.

Here are some of the best criminal defense lawyers in Connecticut to consider if you are facing criminal charges:

Hugh F. Keefe

With over 50 years of criminal law experience, Hugh F. Keefe is widely regarded as one of the top criminal defense attorneys in Connecticut. He has successfully defended clients in high profile cases involving murder, fraud, drug trafficking, and other serious felonies. Keefe is known for his fierce litigation skills and mastery of technical legal arguments.

William F. Dow III

As a former federal prosecutor, William F. Dow III has a deep understanding of how the government builds criminal cases. He represents clients in federal and state courts for offenses ranging from drug crimes to white collar fraud. Dow is an aggressive and creative litigator who scrutinizes the prosecution’s case for any potential vulnerabilities.

Audrey Felsen

Audrey Felsen is a former public defender who now runs a boutique criminal defense firm focusing on misdemeanors and low-level felonies. She has successfully defended hundreds of clients facing charges like DUI, drug possession, assault, theft, and other offenses. Felsen is known for her meticulous trial preparation and compassion for her clients.

R. Bruce Lorenzen

With decades of criminal law experience under his belt, Bruce Lorenzen is a seasoned Connecticut trial lawyer. He has obtained many acquittals and dismissals for clients charged with serious violent crimes. Lorenzen is also experienced handling appeals and post-conviction proceedings challenging guilty verdicts.

Ira B. Grudberg

Ira B. Grudberg is a highly respected criminal defense lawyer with years of experience defending corporations and individuals in federal criminal matters. His practice covers white collar crime, healthcare and insurance fraud, financial crimes, public corruption, and other complex federal cases. Grudberg has successfully convinced prosecutors to drop charges against many of his clients pre-indictment.

Overview of Connecticut Criminal Laws

The criminal laws in Connecticut are primarily contained in Title 53a of the Connecticut General Statutes, which sets out the definitions and penalties for all criminal offenses. Connecticut divides crimes into felonies, misdemeanors, and infractions. The following sections provide an overview of major Connecticut criminal laws organized by offense type.

Violent Crimes

Violent crimes involving physical injury, threat of injury, or death carry some of the harshest punishments under Connecticut criminal law:

Murder and Manslaughter

• Murder (53a-54a) – intentionally causing the death of another person. Class A felony punishable by 25 to 60 years in prison.
• Felony murder (53a-54c) – causing the death of another person during the commission of certain felonies. Class A felony punishable by 25 to 60 years in prison.
• Manslaughter 1st degree (53a-55) – intentionally causing the death of another person under extreme emotional disturbance. Class B felony punishable by 5 to 40 years in prison.
• Manslaughter 2nd degree (53a-56) – recklessly causing the death of another person. Class C felony punishable by 1 to 10 years in prison.

Assault and Threat Crimes

• Assault 1st degree (53a-59) – intentionally causing serious physical injury to another person. Class B felony punishable by 1 to 20 years in prison.
• Assault 2nd degree (53a-60) – intentionally causing physical injury to another person. Class D felony punishable by 1 to 5 years in prison.
• Threatening 1st degree (53a-61aa) – threatening to commit a violent crime likely to cause serious injury or death. Class D felony punishable by 1 to 5 years in prison.
• Threatening 2nd degree (53a-62) – threatening to commit a violent crime against another person. Class A misdemeanor punishable by up to 1 year in prison.

Sexual Assault Crimes

• Sexual assault 1st degree (53a-70) – forced sexual intercourse under aggravated circumstances. Class B felony punishable by 1 to 20 years in prison.
• Sexual assault 2nd degree (53a-71) – forced sexual intercourse. Class C felony punishable by 1 to 10 years in prison.
• Sexual assault 3rd degree (53a-72a) – forced sexual contact. Class D felony punishable by 1 to 5 years in prison.
• Sexual assault 4th degree (53a-73a) – non-consensual sexual contact. Class A misdemeanor punishable by up to 1 year in prison.

Kidnapping and Unlawful Restraint

• Kidnapping 1st degree (53a-92) – unlawfully restraining a person under aggravated circumstances. Class A felony punishable by 10 to 25 years in prison.
• Kidnapping 2nd degree (53a-94) – unlawfully restraining a person. Class B felony punishable by 1 to 20 years in prison.
• Unlawful restraint 1st degree (53a-95) – restraining a person under aggravated circumstances. Class D felony punishable by 1 to 5 years in prison.
• Unlawful restraint 2nd degree (53a-96) – restraining a person. Class A misdemeanor punishable by up to 1 year in prison.

Robbery

• Robbery 1st degree (53a-134) – committing robbery armed with a deadly weapon. Class B felony punishable by 1 to 20 years in prison.
• Robbery 2nd degree (53a-135) – committing robbery. Class C felony punishable by 1 to 10 years in prison.
• Robbery 3rd degree (53a-136) – using or threatening force during a larceny. Class D felony punishable by 1 to 5 years in prison.

Property Crimes

Crimes involving theft, damage, or destruction of property carry the following penalties:

Larceny and Burglary

• Larceny 1st degree (53a-122) – stealing property worth over $20,000. Class B felony punishable by 1 to 20 years in prison.
• Larceny 2nd degree (53a-123) – stealing property worth over $10,000. Class C felony punishable by 1 to 10 years in prison.
• Larceny 3rd degree (53a-124) – stealing property worth over $2,000. Class D felony punishable by 1 to 5 years in prison.
• Larceny 4th degree (53a-125) – stealing property worth $2,000 or less. Class A misdemeanor punishable by up to 1 year in prison.
• Larceny 5th degree (53a-125a) – shoplifting goods worth $500 or less. Class B misdemeanor punishable by up to 6 months in prison.
• Larceny 6th degree (53a-125b) – shoplifting goods worth $250 or less. Infractions punishable by fines up to $75.
• Burglary 1st degree (53a-101) – entering premises unlawfully armed with explosives or deadly weapon. Class B felony punishable by 1 to 20 years in prison.
• Burglary 2nd degree (53a-102) – entering premises unlawfully with intent to commit a crime. Class C felony punishable by 1 to 10 years in prison.
• Burglary 3rd degree (53a-103) – entering premises unlawfully. Class D felony punishable by 1 to 5 years in prison.

Criminal Mischief and Arson

• Criminal mischief 1st degree (53a-115) – damaging property worth over $1500. Class D felony punishable by 1 to 5 years in prison.
• Criminal mischief 2nd degree (53a-116) – damaging property worth over $500. Class A misdemeanor punishable by up to 1 year in prison.
• Criminal mischief 3rd degree (53a-117) – damaging property worth $500 or less. Class B misdemeanor punishable by up to 6 months in prison.
• Arson 1st degree (53a-111) – intentionally starting a fire to destroy a building while recklessly endangering life. Class A felony punishable by 10 to 25 years in prison.
• Arson 2nd degree (53a-112) – intentionally starting a fire to destroy a building. Class B felony punishable by 1 to 20 years in prison.
• Arson 3rd degree (53a-113) – intentionally starting a fire to destroy property worth over $1500. Class C felony punishable by 1 to 10 years in prison.

Drug Crimes

Connecticut imposes strict penalties for the manufacturing, distribution, sale, and possession of illegal drugs:

• Manufacture or distribution of drugs – Class B felony punishable by 2 to 25 years in prison depending on drug type and amount.
• Drug possession – Ranges from infraction to Class B felony depending on drug type and amount. Personal use possession punished much less severely than possession with intent to sell.
• Drug paraphernalia possession (21a-267) – Class A misdemeanor punishable by up to 1 year in prison.
• Operating a drug factory (21a-277) – Class B felony punishable by 2 to 25 years in prison.
• Drug sales near schools or parks (21a-278a) – Adds 3 year mandatory minimum prison sentence.

DUI and Traffic Offenses

Connecticut aggressively prosecutes driving under the influence with escalating penalties for repeat offenses:

• DUI 1st offense (14-227a) – up to 6 months in jail, $500-$1000 fine, 1 year license suspension.
• DUI 2nd offense – up to 2 years in jail, $1000-$4000 fine, 3 year license suspension.
• DUI 3+ offense – 2-3 years in jail, $2000-$8000 fine, permanent license revocation.
• DUI assault – 2-10 years in prison.
• DUI manslaughter – up to 25 years in prison.

Other serious traffic crimes like reckless driving, driving without a license, leaving the scene of an accident, and road racing can also lead to jail time and driver’s license suspensions or revocation.

White Collar and Public Corruption Crimes

Connecticut prosecutes a wide range of non-violent crimes that can still carry severe penalties:

• Bribery (53a-147 et seq.) – Class C or B felony punishable by 1 to 20 years in prison.
• Embezzlement (53a-122) – Class B felony punishable by 1 to 20 years in prison.
• Forgery (53a-138 et seq.) – Class D felony or misdemeanor depending on the document forged.
• Money laundering (53a-276 et seq.) – Class B felony punishable by 1 to 20 years in prison.
• Perjury (53a-156) – Class D felony punishable by 1 to 5 years in prison.
• Public indecency (53a-186) – Class B misdemeanor punishable by up to 6 months in prison.
• Tax evasion (12-428) – Class D felony punishable by 1 to 5 years in prison.

Computer and Cyber Crimes

Connecticut has enacted laws specifically criminalizing computer hacking, cyberstalking, and other technology-based offenses:

• Unauthorized computer access (53a-251) – Class D felony or misdemeanor depending on intent and damage caused.
• Computer crime (53a-251 et seq.) – Class B felony punishable by 1 to 20 years in prison for theft, fraud, or destruction involving a computer.
• Cyberstalking (53a-183) – Class D felony punishable by 1 to 5 years in prison.
• Unauthorized wiretapping (53a-189) – Class D felony punishable by 1 to 5 years in prison.

Juvenile Crimes

Connecticut law allows more lenient treatment for juvenile offenders charged with crimes:

• Juveniles are prosecuted in juvenile courts. Cases are confidential.
• Juveniles can be referred to diversionary programs instead of facing charges.
• Juveniles face less harsh sentences focused on rehabilitation if convicted.
• Serious violent felonies can still be transferred to adult criminal court.

Finding the Right Connecticut Criminal Lawyer for Your Case

If you are under investigation for or charged with a crime in Connecticut, seeking experienced legal counsel should be your top priority. A knowledgeable criminal defense lawyer can advise you of your rights, analyze the prosecutor’s evidence for weakness, negotiate with the district attorney for a favorable resolution, and defend you vigorously in court if necessary.

Take your time researching potential attorneys to find the right fit for you. Set up consultations to discuss your case and assess whether you feel comfortable with the lawyer. Consider practical factors like legal fees, but do not let cost be the determining factor – this is your freedom at stake. Whatever Connecticut criminal charges you are facing, having a skilled defense lawyer in your corner can help you avoid harsh penalties so you can get your life back.