Actor Rip Torn has pleaded not guilty to drunken driving charges in Connecticut, nearly two years after being fined and losing his license for similar charges in New York. The 77-year-old Salisbury resident appeared in Bantam Superior Court on Monday. He pleaded not guilty to illegal operation of a motor vehicle while under the influence and failure to drive in the proper lane. He failed part of a field sobriety exam, then gave up after saying the ground wasn't level enough, state police said. He also refused to take a breathalyzer test and used profanity while in the trooper's cruiser, police said.

Despite previous drunken driving arrests in New York, Torn may qualify for Connecticut's alcohol education program. The program is for first-time offenders and could lead to the charges being dropped after a period of probation. Torn's DUI defense attorney was able to assist him in this matter; had he been tried as a multiple offender, his jail time, fines and other penalties would have increased.

In a Manhattan case in 2004, Torn was acquitted of DUI charges after jurors said the prosecution failed to prove he was drinking before a fender-bender with a taxi, although a police videotape showed him cursing and berating officers before turning down a sobriety test.

In California, there are harsh penalties for being convicted multiple times for DUI. The court process for a DUI charge is rather complex, involving a DMV hearing as well as regular court proceedings. With a qualified DUI attorney on your side, you will understand the whole process so you are prepared for what is to come.

California DUI Trial

A California DUI trial usually takes several days. First, your DUI attorney and the prosecuting attorney will select a jury. After the jury is selected, the trial begins. There are several standard steps which will follow:

• Opening statements
• Examination and cross-examination of witnesses
• Closing arguments
• The judge will then instruct the jury as to how they can apply the facts of the case to the law and their verdict
• Jury deliberation (deciding upon their verdict)
• Verdict (guilty or not guilty)
• Sentencing, decided by the judge

Throughout the entire process, our skilled DUI lawyers will be able to keep you informed and appraised as to what is going on. We believe in working directly with you to get the best outcome for your case.

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