Darien, CT DUI Defense Lawyer

You were arrested in Darien, but your case will be heard at Stamford Superior Court, where I appear every week. I’m Allan F. Friedman. For over 30 years I’ve helped Darien clients keep their licenses, get dui cases dismissed and erased through the IDIP program, and avoid the long-term fallout of a conviction.

Darien is tight-knit and reputation travels fast. Many DUI arrests stem from evenings at country club events, shoreline and Post Road restaurants, private parties in Noroton/Tokeneke, and charity galas—places where guests often know each other. That visibility raises three practical concerns:

• Privacy & professionalism: You need counsel who resolves cases quietly and limits public exposure.
• Media risk: Local outlets (e.g., Darien Patch/Darien Times) monitor police logs; swift, low-profile resolutions help minimize coverage, and once a case is dismissed and erased, we can often assist with takedown/update requests.
• Targeted enforcement: Expect evening and weekend patrols on Post Road, I-95 approaches, and corridors serving club/restaurant districts—often around closing times and special events/holidays.

My role is to protect your license, your record, and—equally important in Darien—your good name.

• Where: Stamford Superior Court, criminal courthouse on Hoyt Street.
• When: Arraignments are typically in the morning—arrive early so we can meet and prepare outside the courtroom.
• What to bring: Your summons/release papers, ID, any necessary medication, and specific questions you want answered.
• How to handle it: Dress business-casual, be respectful, and let your lawyer do the talking. We’ll focus on a plan that keeps the case moving toward dismissal and erasure with minimal footprint.

Your court case can often be resolved through IDIP for first-time offenders—leading to a dismissal and erasure of the criminal charge.
Separately, the DMV runs a Per Se process that can suspend your license; you typically must request that hearing within 7 days. Winning in court doesn’t automatically win at DMV (and vice versa). I coordinate both so you keep driving legally while we steer the court case toward dismissal.

We start with the stop: was there a lawful reason to pull you over? If the stop is weak, key evidence can be suppressed. Next is field sobriety testing—I compare the officer’s instructions and your performance to dash/body-cam and the NHTSA manual; poor lighting near club lots, footwear from formal events, injuries, or uneven pavement along Post Road can explain “clues.” For breath testing, we examine the observation period, device maintenance, operator certification, potential mouth-alcohol/GERD issues, and test timing. If the State won’t offer a fair resolution, I try cases to juries in Stamford—after fully preparing you and our witnesses. In many first-offense Darien matters, we secure IDIP and guide you through to dismissal and erasure.

• CDL Holders: DMV rules are stricter; even with IDIP, CDL status can be impacted. We design a plan around your livelihood.
• Under 21: Lower BAC thresholds and tighter license consequences—timing and mitigation are crucial.
• Out-of-State Licenses: Connecticut reports to your home state; we coordinate to reduce downstream surprises.
• Refusals: Breath-test refusals often increase DMV penalties but may complicate proof at court. We evaluate both tracks before advising.

If DMV suspends you, reinstatement typically requires an Ignition Interlock Device for a set period. We work to minimize that time and keep you legally driving.

When IDIP is completed and your case is dismissed, Connecticut’s erasure law removes the court/police records as if the case never happened. Private websites can lag; we help with takedown requests.

Usually yes—tell your lawyer early so court dates, DMV deadlines, and program obligations are scheduled around important plans.

Call now. We can still request evidence, adjust the plan, and—in many first-time cases—get you onto IDIP and pointed toward dismissal.

Often, yes. Quick, quiet resolutions—and later erasure—help limit the damage. After dismissal, we can often assist with removal/update requests to reduce online visibility.

The earlier we get involved, the more we can do—both in Stamford Superior Court and at the DMV. I’ll move fast to protect your license now and your record for the long term—while keeping your matter as low-profile as possible in a small community like Darien.
Call (203) 357-5555 or use my contact form for a free, confidential consult.