How MADD Can Help You Now

If you are a victim of drunk driving in need of immediate assistance, please call MADD's national toll-free helpline at  1-877-MADD-HELP to speak directly with a counselor who is ready to help you 24 hours a day .

Some say time heals all wounds...MADD is here in the meantime.

  MADD has a wide selection of publications for crash victims.

Please don't hesitate to contact us so we can mail them out to you. 

PLEASE CALL ONE OF THE FOLLOWING NUMBERS FOR ASSISTANCE:

VICTIM HOTLINE: 1-800-544-3690

OR

Contact one of the MADD CT VICTIM ADVOCATES directly at:

Effie Cotto - 203-234-6530

Michell Lettieri - 203-234-6524

Jennifer Mullen- 203-234-6529

We will address your concerns the best we can.  Your victim advocate can inform you about criminal justice procedures in your community and, in many cases, go to court with you. Your victim advocate may be able to provide a list of professional counselors, civil attorneys and clergy in your community who are skilled at working with crash victims.

MADD Victim Advocates are based out of our Connecticut state office and will travel to any court that is located within the state to provide direct victim assistance.  MADD advocates are required by MADD National to be certified in a Beginning Victim Assistance Institute and are available to provide the following free services:

• Provide continuous emotional support, throughout the criminal court case and beyond
• Accompany victims to criminal court
• Provide direction in navigating through the criminal justice system
• Offer Victim Impact Statement assistance
• Assist in filing for monetary compensation through the State of Connecticut   Office of Victim Services, if eligible
• Supply lists of civil attorneys and counselors in the area
• Accompany victims to parole hearings
• Assist in gathering information from agencies such as Department of Corrections  and Department of Motor Vehicles

 CONNECTICUT  LAWS:

Manslaughter in the second degree with a motor vehicle (Class C felony)

When someone causes the death of another person as a consequence of operating a motor vehicle under the influence of alcohol and/or drugs, he/she may be charged with manslaughter in the second degree with a motor vehicle.  The maximum penalty for a conviction on this charge is a fine of up to $5000, and/or a jail term of up to ten years, followed by a period of probation not to exceed five years.

Assault in the second degree with a motor vehicle (Class D felony)

When someone causes serious physical injury to another person as a consequence of operating a motor vehicle under the influence of alcohol and/or drugs, he/she may be charged with assault in the second degree with a motor vehicle.  The maximum penalty for a conviction is a fine of up to $5000, and/or a jail term of up to five years, followed by a period of probation not to exceed five years.

Reckless endangerment in the second degree (Class B misdemeanor)

When someone recklessly engages in conduct that creates a risk of physical injury to another person, he/she may be charged with reckless endangerment in the second degree.  The penalty for a conviction is less than one year in prison and/or up to two years probation.

Evasion of responsibility in operation of motor vehicles

When someone is knowingly involved in a crash that causes death, injury, or property damage and that person fails to assist the injured person or report the crash to the police, he/she may be charged with evasion of responsibility in operation of motor vehicles.  The penalties for this charge vary depending upon the injury caused, but the maximum penalties are a fine of up to $10,000, and/or a jail term of ten years (for death or serious physical injury) and a fine of up to $600 and/or a jail term of one year (for injury or property damage).

WHAT ARE YOUR RIGHTS AS A VICTIM?:

Constitution of the State of Connecticut

Article XXIX – Rights of Victims of

1. The right to be treated with fairness and respect throughout the criminal justice system;
2. The right to timely disposition of the case following arrest of the accused, provided no right of the accused is abridged;
3. The right to be reasonably protected from the accused throughout the criminal justice process;
4. The right to notification of court proceedings;
5. The right to attend the trial and all other court proceedings the accused has the right to attend, unless such person is to testify and the court determines that such person’s testimony would be materially affected if such person hears other testimony;
6. The right to communicate with the prosecution;
7. The right to object to or support any plea agreement entered into by the accused and the prosecution and to make a statement to the court prior to the acceptance by the court of the plea of guilty or nolo contendere by the accused;
8. The right to make a statement to the court at sentencing;
9. The right to restitution which shall be enforceable in the same manner as any other cause of action or as otherwise provided by law; and
10. The right to information about the arrest, conviction, sentence, imprisonment and release of the accused.

In Connecticut , victims of crime can exercise the above rights of notification by providing the State’s Attorney with a current mailing address and telephone number.

To look up a pending case, you can visit the Judicial Branch Website, Enter the Defendant's name, and get the charges and the next court date. Judical Branch Case Look-Up

Also you may look up the status of an inmate but visiting the Dept. of Corrections Website, Enter the Defendant's name or inmate number, and find out the status of that inmate. Dept. of Corrections Inmate Info.

(Both of these websites are public information.)

Office of Victim Services

Created in 1979, this program became an office operating under the auspices of the judicial branch of the State of Connecticut.  They serve as liasons between the victim and court. The Office of Victim Services (OVS) can also assist you with information regarding the Compensation Program, that can provide financial compensation to eligible crime victims and their relatives by reimbursing them for expenses not covered by collateral sources (such as insurance). For more information on eligibility you may contact the Compensation Program directly at 1-888-286-7347. You can also visit their website below or click on the following links to obtain a compensation application.

Application for Personal Injury

Application for Survivor Benefits

To contact the Office of Victim Services call them Toll-Free at 1-800-822-8428 or visit their website by clicking the link Office of Victim Services

More information on MADDs' Victim Assistance Program can be found on our MADD National Website.

Visit this site by clicking the link MADD National Victim Services

 Victim Events & Programs:

MADD also hosts events throughout the year to commemorate and honor those who have been killed or injured in an alcohol-related crash.  Each year, MADD hosts a Candlelight Vigil of Remembrance and Hope in December.  This Vigil serves as a time to cherish memories of lost loved ones and to gather with others who have lost friends and family members to drunken drivers.  MADD Connecticut also conducts a Strides for Change 5K Walk, tree plantings, Healing Voices newsletter, and other memorial events to commemorate and honor victims around the state...

MADD SUPPORT GROUP

Victims of Alcohol Related-Crashes Support Group 

When:  Monday, May 12th

Time:  6:30pm

with Licensed Facilitator Steve Lazrove

 Location: MADD CT State Office

565 Washington Ave, North Haven , CT 06473

Please join our MADD Advocates: Effie, Jennifer and Michelle,

along with other victims/survivors.

To attend please contact us at 1-800-544-3690.

Directions of MADD CT State Office

From New Haven : I-91 North to Exit 13 (left-hand exit). At the end of the exit ramp, take a left hand turn onto Route 5 (Washington Avenue ). Continue down the street approximately ½ - ¾ miles. You will pass a gas station on your right, a BMW dealership on your left and will finally come upon CT Natural Foods on your right. We are after the natural foods store on the right in the Washington Square Plaza . Demir’s Restaurant is on the end-cap of the buildings, our office is next to theirs.

From Hartford : I-91 South to Exit 13. Then follow directions above.

From New London : I-95 South toward New Haven to I-91 North toward Hartford . Then follow directions above.

From Stamford : I-95 North toward New Haven to I-91 North toward Hartford . Then follow directions above.

MADD MEMORIAL TREE OF LIFE

Commemorating Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD)Connecticut  's 20^th Anniversary

  The Tree of Life was unveiled on June 2, 2005 at the

Legislative Office Building in Hartford .

It is now displayed at our State Office for all to see:

565 Washington Avenue , North Haven , CT 06473
  Please contact MADD 203-234-6524 if you would like to

purchase a leaf for the Tree of Life.

This tree is our tree – many hands helped to make this a reality and this tree honors the hearts and souls of all victims of MADD Connecticut.  This is an opportunity to memorialize your loved one forever.  If you are interested in being a part of this Memorial Tree please contact Michelle Lettieri at 203-234-6524 or Michelle.Lettieri@madd.org for more information.