We won’t let you face
this situation alone.
The Law Offices of
Scott Garver will
defend your rights
to freedom
“Good people” can find themselves faced with the reality of losing their freedoms.
If you’ve been arrested, charged with a crime or you’re under investigation for any violation, you need your best defense NOW.
If this is YOU, then you want someone fighting hard for your freedoms. The Law Offices of Scott Garver is there for YOU.
CLICK 2 CALL 860.518.3039
At The Law Offices of Scott Garver we have fought for the rights of the accused since 1997.
With decades of legal experience behind our team, we understand the burden of a criminal arrest, and our Connecticut DUI attorneys are prepared to defend your freedom and future. You should never expect a judge or the arresting officer to look after your best interests … that’s why you should call 860.518.3039 NOW!
About Scott Garver …
Admitted to practice:
State of Connecticut since 1975
Memberships:
Connecticut Bar Association;
Sections of Family Law, Criminal Justice, and Bankruptcy
American Bar Association
National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers
National Association of Consumer Bankruptcy Attorneys
Connecticut Council for Non-Adversarial Divorce
Education:
Brown University. Providence, R.I., AB. Degree, 1972
Georgetown University Law Center, Washington D.C. JD Degree, 1975
What if you’re in a jam
and you’re not sure what to do next?
The Law Offices of Scott Garver
provides legal representation & support
when you need it most …
If you’ve been arrested for driving under the influence, assault, larceny, possession or the sales of narcotics … or under investigation for any offense … or arrested and charged with a serious local, state or federal crime … and you are now facing the loss of your freedoms, your first step is to
Call us now 860.518.3039
for a FREE, no obligation consultation
for a FREE, no obligation consultation
Our attorneys handle cases for both women & men that include, but are not limited to:
- DUI (driving under the influence)
- drug offense (possession or sales of drugs)
- breach of peace
- assault / sexual assault and other crimes of violence
- crimes against property
- shop lifting
- larceny and much more!
With nearly 40 years experience in Connecticut courts, The Law Offices of Scott Garver, LLC can mean the difference between freedom—or worse case … time behind bars.
Subsequent convictions and felony convictions may result in even more severe penalties, including heavy fines, license revocation, plus lengthy terms of imprisonment. Each case is unique, and penalties may vary depending on the circumstances involved. In any case, DUI convictions pose serious, long-term penalties that should not be taken lightly.
Choosing the most qualified
legal representation is the most effective way
to protect your freedoms and your future …
It’s not unusual for “good people” to suddenly find themselves in difficult circumstances. So, if you’re under investigation or arrest, you are probably experiencing a feeling of worry, confusion or dread. And that sick feeling in the pit of your stomach might be compounded—especially if you have a prior criminal record. At The Law Offices of Scott Garver we have fought for the rights of the accused since 1997. With decades of legal experience behind our team, we understand the burden of a criminal arrest, and our Connecticut DUI attorneys are prepared to defend your freedom and future. You should never expect a judge or the arresting officer to look after your best interests … that’s why you should call 860.518.3039 NOW!
The specific type of Criminal DUI cases we handle …
- Criminal DUI w/ no accident or injury
- Underage Criminal DUI
- Criminal DUI with Drugs
- Administrative hearings at the Department of Motor Vehicles
In Connecticut, DUI is considered a very serious criminal offense—and it brings with it very serious criminal penalties. This is why The Law Offices of Scott Garver is committed to helping people facing DUI charges fight conviction and avoid penalties.
When you choose to work with our law firm, you can be confident that compassionate, proven, and highly experienced attorneys will be fighting on your behalf.
Our attorneys understand both sides
of the courtroom …
of the courtroom …
As a criminal defense attorney who has seen it all for nearly 40 years, Attorney Scott Garver has a really good idea how the prosecution thinks. He and his team craft a defense that is designed to aggressively combat popular prosecution methods and common evidence, including, but not limited to:
- Field sobriety testing
- Breathalyzer test
- Breath test refusal
- Blood alcohol content
Avoid the penalties that come along
with a Connecticut DUI conviction …
with a Connecticut DUI conviction …
DUI may be tried as either a misdemeanor or a felony charge. Depending on the circumstances of your DUI arrest, the penalties of a conviction may vary.
Your first DUI conviction in Connecticut may be punishable by penalties that include, but are not limited to:
- a $1,000 fine
- up to one year of imprisonment
- up to 100 hours of community service
- completion of a Risk Reduction Program
- mandatory drug / alcohol treatment
- 12 months of probation
- driver’s license suspension
In addition, the consequences to your prior criminal record and your future opportunities have an impact. Subsequent convictions and felony convictions will result in even more severe penalties, which may include, but are not limited to: heavy fines, license revocation or suspension, and lengthy terms of imprisonment. Each DUI case is unique, and penalties you could be facing may vary depending on the circumstances involved. In any case, DUI convictions could pose serious, long-term penalties that should not be taken lightly.
Regular and/or commercial
driver’s license restoration …
driver’s license restoration …
If your license was suspended in Connecticut, you only have a few days to schedule an appeal hearing at the Department of Motor Vehicles—otherwise you may lose the ability to drive for more than one year!
License suspension is a penalty that many individuals face after a DUI arrest. People who rely on their driving privileges to earn a living may suffer serious consequences to their career if their license is suspended.
At The Law Offices of Scott Garver, LLC, we help regular Class C drivers and (CMV) commercial motor vehicle drivers protect their privileges in court and against automatic suspension.
Call us now 860.518.3039
for a FREE, no obligation consultation
for a FREE, no obligation consultation
What you should look for when you’re
ready to hire a criminal defense attorney
His/her background & experience
When you first meet with a criminal lawyer, its important to learn whether he or she has experience handling cases similar to yours.
Here are some of the most important questions to ask:
How long have you been a practicing criminal defense lawyer?
From what law school did you earn your law degree?
Do you belong to any professional organizations? If so, which ones?
Have you always been a criminal defense lawyer?
How familiar are you with the charges I’m facing? What percentage of your clients face similar charges as mine?
Do you always appear at the courthouse where my case will be heard?
How would you describe your relationship with the prosecutors office in the town I was charged?
How often do you work out plea bargains/agreements?
How often do your cases go to trial? And what is your record?
Legal fees
Most lawyers charge for their time using one of two billing methods: Either with an hourly fee or a flat fee. Depending on your circumstance, it may be worth your time to shop around, comparing hourly rates and flat fees.
Some questions to ask about legal fees include:
Do you charge a retainer … flat rate … or an hourly rate?
If you charge a flat fee, what is it? What does it include? What is not included? Do I need to pay your entire fee upfront?
If you charge an hourly fee, what is it?
Will I have to pay a retainer fee? How does that work?
Besides paying for your time, what related legal expenses will I have to pay? Can you estimate how high those expenses could go?
Assessment of your case
Whether you’ve been charged with a misdemeanor or a felony, you want the attorneys you meet with to share with you your various options. You don’t want any surprises. Ask such questions as:
Can you walk me through the process and tell me what to expect at each step, from my arraignment to trial?
What initial strategy would you propose for handling my case?
What happens if I plead guilty?
Can I agree to plead guilty to a lesser charge?
Should I go to trial?
Which facts of my situation work in my favor? Which work against me?
“Case management”
Many attorneys use the term “case management” to describe how a case is handled behind the scenes. Its important for you—the client—to know the logistics, so that there will be no misunderstandings. Some relevant questions to ask include:
When I have questions, whom should I call?
How do you prefer to be contacted (phone/email/cell)?
How quickly should I expect your reply?
Hiring your criminal defense lawyer(s)
When you have completed interviewing any criminal defense attorneys, it is time to select one to hire. Your decision is easy if he/she clearly meets all your criteria.
If after your exhaustive search you continue to have trouble choosing between two or three attorneys, ask for the contact information for some former clients. It’s not always possible because past clients like their privacy & anonymity. When possible, call the former clients and ask about their experiences working with their lawyer. Ask for the pros and cons. Real-world feedback will be invaluable.
If you still are undecided, you need to organize your thoughts. Ask yourself:
Which attorney was most experienced with the kind of charges I’m facing?
Whose method and strategy appealed the most?
In which attorney am I most confident?
Whose legal fees seemed most affordable?
The answers to these questions should point you in the direction of your best option for your criminal defense attorney.
What should you do if you are under
investigation or arrested in Connecticut?
If you have been arrested or you think you are being investigated for a crime, call us at 860.518.3039 faster than fast.
Even with your attorney in the room, law enforcement may try to interrogate you. You have a right to a lawyer and you should tell law enforcement IMMEDIATELY that you want to speak to a lawyer before you make any statements.
Other than identifying yourself to law enforcement, BE QUIET and wait until you can speak with your lawyer. You have a constitutional right to remain silent and you can’t be punished for refusing to answer questions.
Do I have to allow anyone to search me or my belongings?
NO! In fact, if you consent to a search, it may negatively affect your case later in court. However, if the police are investigating you—and they believe they have reasonable suspicion that you are presently armed—they do have a right to do a limited pat down of your outer clothing for weapons. We highly recommend you not physically resist, but you should NOT consent to anything further.
If the police come to my home,
do I have to let them in?
do I have to let them in?
Only if the police have a search warrant that has your address listed on it. However, the search is limited by the contents of what is specifically written on the warrant. EXAMINE IT THOROUGHLY and call us at 860.518.3039 immediately.
If the police knock on your door and request to search your home, you should ask them to slip the warrant under the door so you can inspect it. Even if the police have a warrant, you still have the right to remain silent. Call us at 860.518.3039 immediately.
Sometimes the police will come to your door. They might not actually have a warrant, but they come to your home anyway to seek your consent to search your home. They may tell you that they could get a warrant, but that they want to make things “easier for everyone involved.” The best thing to do is to politely tell them to leave and then call us at 860.518.3039 immediately.
BE QUIET and wait until you can speak with your lawyer.
If the police stop me for no reason …
can I politely leave the scene?
can I politely leave the scene?
Running away is a really bad idea. First, you will likely be pursued, and once caught nothing good ever comes from that. And by fleeing, you are adding a factor that they can include in their reasonable suspicion/probable cause equation.
Lastly, if the initial contact by law enforcement is deemed unlawful, in most jurisdictions you are giving up your right to challenge their action as an illegal seizure because you did not allow yourself to be “cooperative.” The best way to deal with law enforcement is not to resist and to immediately verbally invoke your constitutional rights.
Do the police have to
“read me my Miranda rights?”
“read me my Miranda rights?”
NO! In Connecticut, the only time police have to read your Miranda rights is if you are in custody and they are questioning you. If you’ve made incriminating statements at some point before you were put into custody, those statements can be used against you. BE QUIET and wait until you can speak with your lawyer.
What do you—my attorney—need from me when we meet?
If you’ve been charged with a crime, you need the services of The Law Offices of Scott Garver, LLC. Call us at 860.518.3039 immediately.
Come to our client/attorney meeting prepared. You should bring with you a list of questions you want to ask us. In addition, there are documents you can supply that will help us better understand your situation are:
- Your bail papers
- Any documents from the court showing your charges and next court appearance date
- A copy of your police report, if possible
- Any paperwork you may have received if your property was searched
Bring the above items and anything else that you believe will help your case to your first meeting with our criminal defense lawyer.
Also, bring a list of any witnesses you have, victims, or other defendants connected to your alleged crime. Our lawyers need to be sure neither they nor anyone else in their offices have ever represented anyone connected to your case. There’s a chance that If they have, the defense attorney may not be able to represent you—because of a conflict of interest.
Call us now 860.518.3039 for a FREE, no obligation consultation
Offices in Southington & Waterbury:
315 Little Fawn Road • Southington, CT 06489
21 West Main Street • 4th Floor • Waterbury, CT 06160
Geographical Areas of Practice
With offices in both Waterbury and Southington, Connecticut—
The Law Offices of Scott Garver represents clients in towns which include, but are not limited to:
Bristol • Cheshire • Litchfield • Meriden • Middletown • New Britain • Naugatuck • New Haven • Plainville • Prospect
Southington / Plantsville / Marion • Waterbury • Watertown / Oakville • Wolcott
Our office has also represented clients in the State Appellate and State Supreme Courts of Connecticut.
HOME : SERVICES : ABOUT US : FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS : TESTIMONIALS : CONTACT US : RESOURCES : GOOD STUFF
Connect with us:
The information on this website is for general information purposes only. Nothing on this site should be taken as legal advice for any individual case or situation. This information is not intended to create, and receipt or viewing does not constitute an attorney-client relationship.