Stamford Ignition Interlock Devices
An ignition interlock device is a device installed in a car that functions as a portable breathalyzer. Before someone starts a car, they must blow into it and register a no-alcohol reading. It will retest the person after they are driving, as well. It is ordered by the court and is part of a DUI arrest.
To determine the role of an ignition interlock device in your Stamford DUI case, it is imperative to consult with an experienced attorney as soon as possible. A knowledgeable DUI lawyer in Stamford can help negotiate down any penalties associated with your charge, including the use of a Stamford ignition interlock device.
Understanding the Device
An ignition interlock device (IID) in Stamford is a portable breathalyzer installed in a person’s car by a private company. There are about seven different companies in Connecticut that supply such devices and a person can choose which one they want to use.
Before the person starts the car, they must blow into a tube and register no alcohol. Once the person is driving the car, it does a rolling retest where it will test the person’s breath again to ensure that the person was the one that blew into the tube when they started the car.
An ignition interlock device in Stamford helps keep people who have alcohol problems from driving their car when they should not. This is a helpful restriction to keep them from getting in more trouble.
If the person is to use an ignition interlock device in Stamford for six months, it costs about $1,500, along with a few hundred dollars for the installation. The person must bring it in every month for recalibration.
If the person is to operate any vehicle that does not have an ignition interlock device when they are required to use one, then that is a separate offense with mandatory minimum jail time.
Receiving an IID
When the person is arrested, if they take the breathalyzer test at the police station, the Stamford ignition interlock device will be installed for six months. If the person refused, it will be installed for a year.
If the person pleads guilty to a DUI, then the person will have the ignition interlock device starting for a year. For each successive DUI, the amount of time goes up.
It is mandatory for an individual to have a Stamford ignition interlock device in their car if they were either arrested for or plead guilty to a DUI. If that person owns or operates a vehicle, there must be an ignition interlock device in it.
Installing an Ignition Interlock Device
An attorney can help an individual get in touch with vendors who can install the ignition interlock device in Stamford. They can help the person with the timing and discuss what needs to be done and removed. They can assist with any issues that come up with the installation.
The IID would allow the person to drive wherever they want as long as they pass the ignition interlock device testing system. Otherwise, the person’s license would be suspended and would only allow the person to go certain places like work and court.
Fighting the Installation
When a person is arrested for a DUI, they do have the chance to fight the installation of the ignition interlock device by requesting a hearing with the DMV. Once the person files, their lawyer has a chance to question the police officer and the police officer’s report.
If the police officer did not conduct the arrest properly, then the person may get their license back with no ignition interlock device needed.
Other Alcohol-Monitoring Devices
There are other alcohol-monitoring devices that are used in rare circumstances, such as an ankle monitor that constantly monitors the person’s amount of alcohol in the body.